Pearl Harbor Survivors Association
Rio Grande Valley of Texas Chapter 11

7 December 1999
Memorial Service Remarks

LCDR Brad Smith, USN
Commanding Officer, USS BLACK HAWK (MHC 58)

Pearl Harbor Survivors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Thank you all for joining us here on this gorgeous south Texas morning.

I would like to first express my sincere gratitude to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and the city of Brownsville on behalf of the Navy and in particular the officers and crew of BLACK HAWK for extending such an honored invitation. I would also like to recognize and thank everyone who has worked so hard to organize and participate in today's events. Mr. E. J. Collins of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, the Texas Air Museum for that spectacular torpedo attack, Pace High School JROTC Drum & Bugle Corps, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2140, American Legion Post #205, the Brownsville Convention and Visitors Center and the Port of Brownsville. Also HEB Stores for their generous support. Many others are listed in your program and I certainly don't mean to overlook anyone - thanks to all.

When I first learned of the opportunity to come to Brownsville and participate in this time of remembrance, I was thrilled that we were to be a part of it all. When I spoke to Mr. Collins and learned that I'd be asked to prepare 10-15 minutes of remarks, although still honored, I must admit that my enthusiasm wavered slightly. Strangely enough, no one on the ship or at home doubted my ability to fill 15 minutes. In fact, there are probably a few side bets on whether I can limit it to 15. In any event, thanks for inviting me to speak today. I know that nobody wants to hear me ramble on for long, so I promise to try to keep my remarks brief.

The gracious hospitality shown to all of us by your great city has been most appreciated. I only hope that we have been equally gracious guests. As difficult as it is leaving family and friends behind, it's always a pleasure to leave home port and visit great places like Brownsville. It's part of what makes the Navy fun and unique. Brownsville has been a particularly good port visit for us, since some of our families have been able to join us in enjoying your fine city. I hope that we are able to return soon.

I'm not sure whether it's expert planning or simply coincidence that BLACK HAWK (MHC 58) is here for the 58th anniversary of that fateful Sunday morning in 1941 that was to change the course of history for this country and the world. In any event, each of us is glad to be here today for this time of remembrance.

A ceremony like this can often be one of sorrow and celebration. We gather to remember those who have given all in the defense of America and the freedoms that she holds dear. We will soon lay a symbolic wreath upon the sea to commemorate those brave men and women who did not survive that fateful day 58 years ago; those who laid upon the altar of freedom their lives so that we may be free. It is with sorrow and fondness that we remember fallen comrades, fallen shipmates. Yet we celebrate their bravery and patriotism - the willingness to serve and sacrifice which has provided for us the opportunity to be here today, secure in the freedoms which have been so richly paid for. Paid for by those we remember as well as many of our distinguished guests in the audience today. Ordinary men called and willing to do the extraordinary. That is the essence of the American fighting man. Certainly the many stories of selfless bravery and heroism during the attack at Pearl Harbor are a testament to the character and devotion of those who were there. That is their legacy.

Were I to pick the most redeeming aspect of the Pearl Harbor attack, I would say that it galvanized this country to fight and protect our freedoms, our way of life. It did, indeed, wake a sleeping giant. Pearl Harbor provided the impetus for all of America, from coast to coast, Bangor to Brownsville, to put aside differences and come together to protect the common good and put down the scourge of tyranny and oppression that had been growing unabated for too long. As word of the attack and stories of individual heroism and bravery spread like wildfire, so did the resolve of this great nation. Millions of Americans answered the call to serve, and serve proudly they did, in a variety of capacities. Whether at home or abroad, in combat or in industry, their service and sacrifice is not forgotten. "Remember Pearl Harbor" a rallying call that has gone down in history alongside "Don't Give Up the Ship," "Remember the Alamo" and "I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight.

So we remember today those who served at Pearl Harbor and continued to serve throughout one of the most expansive and costly wars that the world has ever seen. Journalist Tom Brokaw has seen fit to refer to them as "the greatest generation" that any society has ever produced, and I think that given the record of their remarkable accomplishment, this is not overstated. "Remember Pearl Harbor and Keep America Alert." A motto that holds as true today as it ever has. I think that for those of us who have had tours in Pearl Harbor this maxim rings especially true. It's said that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Personally, I can say that in Pearl Harbor, history will not let you forget. History and remembrance surround the island, from the entrance to the harbor to Ford Island, battleship row and the Arizona Memorial. I speak today mostly of naval sites; they are what I am most familiar with. Please don't misunderstand - the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought and died on the entire Island, from Hickam and Wheeler fields to Schoffield Barracks, is remembered as well. They call to us just as loudly and proudly. The cautions of the past, the voices of those who fought and died there, always remind.

The number and types of ships that call Pearl Harbor home today are different from those in 1941, but every Sailor there remembers - we are all called to remember and remain prepared so that history will not repeat. The challenge, then, is to carry this sense of history and charge of preparedness - "Keep America Alert," to the rest of the country. This is no easy task in today's world of relative stability and economic prosperity. It is easy to think ourselves a country and a people more enlightened and alert, better connected and informed, than we were 58 years ago - that something like the attack on Pearl Harbor could never happen today, not to us. That's why ceremonies like this remain vitally important. While it is important that we remember those who have fallen, it is equally important to remember why they fell. It is important to remember and remember and prepare so that their sacrifice, the lesson that we should have learned, will not need to be learned again. We must remember so that we are not doomed to repeat.

I would like you to join me in thanks for those who served and sacrificed; those who fought for our freedom and secured our way of life. I'd like to ask the Pearl Harbor Survivors in the audience to stand so that we may recognize them. Please join me in a round of applause for them and their comrades who could not join us today.

APPLAUSE

This tradition of service and sacrifice has continued. In World War II, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, throughout the Cold War, Desert Storm and even today in Kosovo, dedicated and patriotic Americans have answered the call to serve. This tradition of service continues today - and we only hope that we are worthy of your trust, that we will continue to live up to the example that has been so richly given. Duty, honor, country pretty much sums it up. In the Navy, we also refer to honor, courage and commitment. However you phrase it, the message and the charge remain. Believe me, BLACK HAWK, the Navy and all the services have not forgotten - we are ready.

Standing before you on this fine ship are today's Sailors - who now answer the call. We recently hosted a tour of World War II veterans and their spouses who were in Corpus Christi for a reunion. One of the reactions I kept overhearing was, "they all look so young!" While that doesn't necessarily apply to me, it certainly does to many of the Sailors here - they are young. I would venture to guess, however, that were you to look around the audience and remember back to 1941, the faces don't look so much different now than then. This is America's newest generation of fighting men, and we all hope that we will continue to earn your trust. I hope each of you will accept my invitation to come aboard and meet these fine young men and tour your ship that is our home when we are away from home. I want to re-state that, your ship. We know that while we are proud of BLACK HAWK and the work that we put in her to keep her combat ready, we are only the stewards of your trust, your ship and that she is our charge only too briefly. We strive to be worthy of your trust and hope that you, too, are proud of your ship, BLACK HAWK.

Today's Navy, each ship and aircraft, is manned by a host of dedicated, motivated and patriotic young Americans who stand ready to respond to the challenges of the world today. Although the technology has changed over the years, the mission has not - protect the interests, safety and security of this great nation. Nor has the courage and dedication of those who wear the uniform and sail today's oceans changed. Take my word for it, these are some of the most talented and committed young people you will ever meet. Whenever I hear a complaint about "today's kids," all I can hope for is that one day, the person voicing that complaint will come aboard your ship and meet and talk to her Sailors. I think you'll find that every man wears his uniform proudly - each is worthy of the immense trust and responsibility that we all place in him. Every man here is ready to answer the call - whenever and wherever it may be - so that every American today and tomorrow will continue to enjoy the same freedoms that have been so hard fought and won. Each of us stands ready to carry the torch of freedom anywhere in the world.

Let us now ensure that those who fell at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 will never be forgotten. Please honor their sacrifice, their courage and their memory by offering one minute of silence...may they rest in peace.

MINUTE OF SILENCE

We now lay a wreath upon the sea in memory of those who have gone before.