Pearl Harbor: 81 years later, what should we reflect on?

???????I love history. I love reading and studying it and then reflecting on what can be learned because, you know, that’s how I party these days. When I was in the Air Force, I did a three-year tour on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It was a hardship, but someone had to do it. One of the things I enjoyed most, besides the beauty of the islands, was the military importance of Hawaii in world history. December 7th?marks 81 years since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After eight decades, are there still lessons for us to learn? I believe those lessons are not just about those events but opportunities for the future.

???????I’m a technologist and operational practitioner, but my reflections span beyond those interests. I suppose you don’t need to be a student of history to appreciate human sacrifice. The attack on Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 people, including 68 civilians. The last time I visited the memorial, only two survivors were known to be still alive. With every passing year, it seems to move further into history and from our memory. We can’t let that happen because there is still so much to learn. The event should provoke questions about why and how it happened so we can try to prevent it from occurring again. We must capture facts, opinions, and perspectives and continue to teach the lessons to generations who follow and face similar challenges.

I also reflect on the state of friends and foes. In 1941, the U.S. and Japan became mortal enemies and engaged in some of the most brutal combat human history has ever known. Today, we are the closest of allies and depend on each other to maintain peace and stability in one of the world’s most important and contentious regions. Are there other states we see as foes today that might be allies in the future? I hope so. If I did my best to count, I’ve been to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona memorial more than twenty times. It's never tiring. There was undoubtedly the emotion of loss and sacrifice, but watching first-timers' reactions, especially Japanese visitors, forces you to appreciate those peaceful outcomes that can be learned. It’s more than sacred ground; it’s a stark reminder of what we never want to happen again.

Lastly, we must always be ready to prevent hostilities by maintaining a robust military deterrent. This week, the U.S. Air Force unveiled its newest bomber, the?B-21 Raider. The name is a salute to Doolittle’s Raiders, who launched the first bombing raids on Japan. The attack on April 18, 1942, included 16 B-25B Mitchell medium bombers, each with a crew of five, and was launched from the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Hornet. What could a single B-21 Raider accomplish today that took 16 bombers and 80 Airmen to do in 1942? Launched from anywhere in the world? It is a compelling deterrent that hopefully gives any potential foe pause and reason to find a diplomatic solution to our differences.?

???????On this anniversary, we can all take a few minutes to ask, learn and understand some of the many lessons from the events 81 years ago. And, of course, be thankful for all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and continue to serve today.