Remember Pearl Harbor

Eighty years ago today, Americans woke up to the shocking news of a surprise attack on our Navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. As storm clouds gathered in Europe and Asia, Americans in the 1930s wanted to avoid the problems of the world. But the enemy rarely gives you a vote, and Pearl Harbor gave us no choice. 

In every city and town, men like my father, Stanley "Spike" Bauer, ran to enlistment centers. It would be months before we won a battle in the South Pacific, where my father fought as part of the First Marine Corps Division. But we ultimately prevailed, defeating the Japanese warlords and Hitler's Germany. 

Could we win a war like that against our major adversaries today? Could we defeat communist China, Putin's Russia and the Islamic Republic of Iran? While our military is certainly much more powerful, our nation is much weaker in many ways. 

Yes, America had problems when World War II began. We had greater poverty, and we had a lot progress to make on civil rights. But Americans believed we were an exceptional nation, a blessed nation. The country then overwhelmingly believed in the God of the Bible. There was a consensus on reliable standards of right and wrong. 

Today, we're divided over our Pledge of Allegiance and our national anthem. Our children are indoctrinated to believe that their country was founded on slavery and genocide. As a result, America's youth don't have the same sense that this is a special country worth defending. 

But every generation is called upon to sacrifice for the preservation of freedom. On December 6, 1941, few Americans appreciated the dangers they were facing. On September 10, 2001, few Americans had any idea what malice was about to be unleashed. I believe we are facing a similar situation now. 

Millions of American soldiers who have passed away are watching to see whether we can muster the courage to save this great country, just as they did 80 years ago.