This And Every December (2023)

“The War To End All Wars” was not the final stage.

From ’39 to ’41, again war in Europe waged.

Some Americans wanted to assist.

Others did not want our boys to enlist.

Roosevelt ran supplies

To overwhelmed, batter’d allies.

Lucky Lindy said “Not our mess”

While nations were forced to acquiesce

To the Axis military machine.

For democracy, a grim scene.

***

At 7:48 one Hawaiian morning

Came the attack without warning.

353 aircraft in the two wave assault

For 1 hour, 15 minutes there was no halt.

A tropical paradise filled with cries

As 2,403 Americans met their demise.

1,177 on the U.S.S Arizona alone

Its harbor became a memorial zone.

188 U.S. aircraft destroyed

Materials thrown to the void.

Before we could lay all dead to rest

Our 32nd president was put to the test.

* * *

Addressing a grieving nation

Through a brief dictation,

FDR altered the war’s formation

To interventionist elation.

After December 7, 1941

Isolationism was done.

We declared war on Japan.

Three days later, absent plan

Hitler declared war on us.

Nothing more to discuss.

Our battle against fascism ensued.

42 months later, the Axis was subdued.

* * *

Never forget the Rising Sun’s sneak

Came 82 years ago this week.

Pearl Harbor, remember

This and every December.