National Guard Remember the Past, While Working on the Future
SPRINGFIELD, IL (12/09/2010)(readMedia)-- On Dec. 7, 1941 the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked naval base Pearl Harbor without warning. Four battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, a minelayer and 188 airplanes were destroyed or damaged.
More than 2,400 servicemembers were killed and more than 1,200 were wounded. One-hundred and eighteen of the fallen were from Illinois; seven were from Chicago.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley held a wreath-laying ceremony in recognition of the 69th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack Dec. 7 at Navy Pier in Chicago to honor the fallen and surviving servicemembers of the historical event.
"War is an unpleasant subject, but we must continue to talk about it. Our children need to learn that the freedom they enjoy every day - and often take for granted - was achieved through great sacrifice, and at a heavy price," said Daley. "And for that, we will always support our troops and continue to pray for peace."
Guests at the event included nine Pearl Harbor survivors and numerous military veterans groups. Col. Thomas Purple of Chicago, deputy commander of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, and Command Sgt. Maj. Howard Robinson of Olympia Fields, Illinois Army National Guard Land Component Command Sergeant Major were both in attendance to represent the Illinois National Guard.
"Our men and women in uniform have helped to create and preserve the American way of life," Daley said. "They serve today with the same courage and dedication to duty that has distinguished United States veterans for more than 200 years."
Sixty-nine years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. and Japan military agencies are working together to enhance interoperability.
The 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment based in Kansas City, Mo., teamed with the 26th Infantry Regiment, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force for Orient Shield 11 this past November in Northern Japan.
The focus of the exercise was to develop tactical, bi-lateral operations and war-fighting skills between the U.S. and Japanese militaries.
In 1960, the U.S. and Japan signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, a binding agreement for both countries to support each other from enemy attack.
"Exercises like this encourage enduring professional mutual engagements and good will between the U.S. and Japan as we strengthen our relationship," said Maj. Gen. Michael Harrison, commander, United States Army Japan. "All participating U.S. Army units benefit in maintaining a bi-lateral partnership. Operations like Orient Shield serve as an opportunity to integrate and train all branches of the U.S. military, while building rapport between the U.S. and our allies."
