My first thought was, what a great pity that another nation should be added to those aggressors who choose to limit our freedom … I find myself at the age of eighty, an old woman, hanging on to the tail of the world, trying to keep up. I do not want the drivers seat but the eternal verities. There are certain things that I wish to express: one thing that I am very sure of is that hatred is death, but love is light. I want to contribute to the civilization of the world but … When I look at the holocaust that is going on in the world today, Im almost ready to let go…

Lean Jamison
interviewed by John Lomax
Dec. 9, 1941


While almost every American has personal memories of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, a day on which thousands died during a terrorist attack on American soil, the number of people who lived through an earlier attack on American soil in which thousands also died is growing smaller every year.
Sixty-five years ago on Dec. 7, 1941, more than 2,300 Americans were killed (including more than 1,100 on the U.S.S. Arizona) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Speaking to a joint session of Congress on Dec. 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt described the surprise attack by saying, Yesterday, December 7, 1941 a date which will live on in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The attack ultimately led to the United States joining World War II during which more than 16 million Americans served, and more than 400,000 Americans died.
And, sadly, with each passing year the number of those who lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor grows smaller. Fortunately, thanks to a cadre of dedicated people, their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
Some of those working to ensure that we never forget are the volunteers at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum who will be holding their seventh-annual Military Day open house, Dec. 7 from 1-4 p.m. at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Hall, with a flag ceremony at 1:15 p.m.
The gathering has been held since the 2000 dedication of its Veterans Memorial in front of the Pioneer Museum and includes not only active duty and former military members, but also their family and friends.
Previous years events have boasted distinguished guests, restored military vehicles, informative books and historic displays, all to remind us of the service and sacrifices made by those who came before us people like the late Burt Galde whose wife, Dolores, was an honored guest at a past gathering at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum. In the winter of 1941, Burt Galde was serving on the U.S.S. Canopus, a submarine-tending ship, when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor suddenly thrust the United States into World War II. The U.S.S. Canopus had been off the coast of China at the time and was ordered to sail to the Philippines. When the allies lost the battle of Bataan, Galde was taken prisoner on May 6, 1942. For the next three and a half years, Galde was moved between several prison camps in Formosa (Taiwan), Bilibid in the Philippines, Cabana Twan and Santa Tomas. He was finally freed on Sept. 12, 1945. He returned to Arlington and married Dolores in 1946.
And as we honor the men and women who have served this nation at Pearl Harbor and around the world, we should not forget those who are currently serving people like Army SPR Marvin Oxstien, the son of Marvin and Shelly Oxstein of Arlington, who is currently stationed in South Korea. On Dec. 2, 2006, SPR Oxstien penned a poem titled The Job No One Wants, which describes the service and sacrifice of those who have served and those who continue to serve this county.

The Job No One Wants
Being the hand of judgment,
To take life in an instant,
And spare the next.
To stand tall against fear,
Never shedding a tear,
But pursuing onward.
Making personal sacrifice,
Away from those we love,
To stand alone.
The traits of a job,
Of a profession,
No one wants.
An American Soldier.

On Dec. 7, we encourage everyone to attend the Military Day at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum to honor those like Burt Galde and Marvin Oxstien who served this nation and for the sacrifices they, and all the others, made for the country and our freedom.

To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board Kris Passey, Scott Frank or Margi Hartnett e-mail forum@premier1.net.