The Last 13 #ShadowshotSunday

December 7, 2025, the 84th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. 

This isn't a picture of Pearl Harbor - I've never been there.  This is also Shadowshot Sunday, and I'm posting a peaceful picture taken in July, 2024 in Acadia National Park in Maine.

But December 7, 1941 was a peaceful Sunday, until it wasn't.  Here is more about it.

Pearl Harbor Day was the day that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which was not yet one of the 50 United States.  Japan declared war on the United States shortly after the attack. The United States declared war on Japan the next day, and Germany declared war on the United States three days later.

The official death toll of Pearl Harbor was 2,403.

December 7 is a day meaningful to the generation that preceded mine - the generation that is sometimes called "The Greatest Generation".  In the same way, November 22 is that date for my generation -  the day that President Kennedy was assassinated.  Newer generations have their own day where everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing.

But the anniversary of Pearl Harbor may not live on for too much longer.  Eyewitnesses to the attack are dying of old age, as are the military members who survived.  I recently heard a news report that said that only 13 veteran survivors of Pearl Harbor are still alive.  All of them are aged 100 or above.

Here is an interview with one of the last 13.

Their sacrifices made it possible for me to enjoy a peaceful day at Acadia National Park in 2024.

We must continue to remember.

Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog for her #ShadowshotSunday.