In Remembrance of Pearl Harbor

Sixty-seven years ago on December 7, 1941 the Japanese navy conducted a surprise military strike against the United States naval base located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. That fateful Sunday morning ushered in World War II after witnessing more than 2,400, Americans lose their lives, and another 1,100 receive injuries resulting from the assault.

In remembrance of that fateful morning and the pursuant war, on Sunday, December 7, 2008, thousands of Americans from all across this country will fly the U.S. flag at half-staff in honor of those who so valiantly died defending this nation during the World War II conflict. The purpose of this annual remembrance is to inspire a greater awareness and appreciation for all the men and women of our Armed Forces who have sacrificed for our liberty.

As with most Americans, if you have only a 6-foot flagpole mounted and extending from your home. To fly the flag at half-staff, flag etiquette calls for a long black ribbon to be draped from the top of the flag. Any black ribbon will suffice just as long as it doesn’t exceed the width of the stripes on the flag.

This Sunday, December 7, I encourage all Apalachicola residents to display their flags at half-staff and to set aside a quiet moment to reflect upon those who have died and those who continue to die so that this country can remain the land of the free and the home of the brave.