My grandparents in late 1941 relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii – my grandfather started working as a civil engineer, working on roads… My grandmother got a job at the hospital… On Sunday morning December 7, 1941 – my Grandfather woke to my Grandmother with their 1st child a 7 month old baby in hand (my uncle) – saying there are a bunch of airplanes flying low outside… They walked out to see Japanese planes flying over their heads and started destroying Pearl Harbor…

My grandparents were full Japanese, but unlike others, their parents (my Great Grandparents) had lived in the Hawaiian Islands since the late 1800s… They were well known, and trusted… they did not get locked up like many other Japanese; instead – my Grandfather and all the brothers (8 in total) had a family meeting – appalled that Japan would dare attack America. In the coming months all the brothers who could fly joined the military as the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, they became one of the most decorated Asian American military units in WW2 against Japan.

Ever notice how the Lord has a sense of humor? I was born on the 30 year anniversary of December 7th… born to an Irish American dad, and a Japanese American mom… The United States of America, is the exceptional great experiment, where our founders envisioned a bright future, where we can all join in the melting pot and become the great nation, of the people, for the people. Never Forget.

Posted on: December 7, 2023, by : Michael McCaskey