General Discussion

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)

12. Not me, but my 87-yr old dad would certainly remember.

Sat Dec 7, 2013, 10:17 PM

Dec 2013

I don't recall him ever specifically talking about it, though.

When my sisters and I were kids, our parents told us bits and pieces about growing up during the Depression, and what it was like during WWII - rationing, my dad's time in the Navy, etc. - but I don't remember them making any big deal about Pearl Harbor. I think they were both still in high school when that happened; my dad enlisted after he graduated but it was late in the war by that time and he was never involved in any combat.

All I can say is that Pearl Harbor never became fetishisized in our family. I'm sure my parents remembered where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news, but I just can't recall them ever bringing it up as a significant marker in their lives the way the JFK assassination later became for all of us.

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Do any DUers remember the attack on Pearl Harbor? [View all] Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 OP

Sadly...I think most are very elderly or have passed on. But... KoKo Dec 2013 #1

That's what I was wondering Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #2

This message was self-deleted by its author russspeakeasy Dec 2013 #16

I don't the beginning but I remember the ending VE day and VJ day. CK_John Dec 2013 #3

What was that like? Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #4

We lived in mid town NYC (123st) and we could see all the fire boats in the Hudson River CK_John Dec 2013 #6

Mid town (123st)?? Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #10

I do not understand why someone would take time to post only snark and edit to add eyerolly. It just uppityperson Dec 2013 #17

I was wondering something too Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #19

It is good to wonder things. Without wonderment, the world would be a sadder place. uppityperson Dec 2013 #20

... Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #23

The els were still up then and that was about halfway on both the east and west side lines. rug Dec 2013 #21

Of course Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #22

It's not the same city by a long shot. Especially Manhattan. rug Dec 2013 #24

The grid is Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #26

Neither the neighborhood nor their names are. rug Dec 2013 #29

Yes Hell's Kitchen is now Clinton Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #36

Not if you were from Lenox Hill. rug Dec 2013 #38

If memory serves Lenox was at 92nd Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #39

Lenox Hill is in the mid-70s. (The hospital is named after it.) rug Dec 2013 #41

That's right, Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #42

At that time the 125 Ferry was considered as the middle, since Man. ran up to 212st CK_John Dec 2013 #31

You mean Harlem? Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #35

I worked with a man who was on the USS Helena at 1010 dock... Cooley Hurd Dec 2013 #5

I don't (too young) but my father was there that day. He was a 19-year-old airman tblue37 Dec 2013 #7

Anybody born up til 1936 or so will remember it. kestrel91316 Dec 2013 #8

Yes, I thought we had some older people here, Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #9

i was 2 months old. DesertFlower Dec 2013 #11

Not me, but my 87-yr old dad would certainly remember. scarletwoman Dec 2013 #12

Yes, although at the time I did not understand exactly what had happened. northoftheborder Dec 2013 #13

Okay, I'm the old lady that remembers hearing FDR make his speech on the radio. My father asjr Dec 2013 #14

That must have been terrifying for an 8 year old. Curmudgeoness Dec 2013 #32

Not me, but LumosMaxima Dec 2013 #15

Yes, I was almost 3 years old. RebelOne Dec 2013 #18

I was not alive at the time but am reminded every time I visit the family cemetery. William769 Dec 2013 #25

That's such a sad story. Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #33

When I saw the flags at half staff today CFLDem Dec 2013 #27

I think the flags ARE at half staff for Mandela Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #34

My father was 16 and new instantly he'd be drafted at 18 into the Army, so Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #28

Not me, but I have my Mom's memory TexasProgresive Dec 2013 #30

Yes, I was 12 katmondoo Dec 2013 #37

I'll never forget. It's my birthday. Bonhomme Richard Dec 2013 #40

That was my grandmother's name. :) Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #43

Mine too :) Boom Sound 416 Dec 2013 #44

We must be cousins. :) Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #45