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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
81 years ago today, December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed it a “date which will live in infamy.”
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
Click below to hear the author (me 😉 ) read:
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
A few flakes floated by the window and colored lights reflected in the glass. Dennis Day sang a romantic tune on the radio. Laura sipped hot chocolate and read Fred’s letter at least a tenth time since it arrived Friday.
“November 26, 1941
My dearest,
Happy Thanksgiving from the USS Arizona! I sure do miss your cooking. I swear our gravy was mixed with fuel oil.
I hope my presents get there on time. You’d love Hawaii. The flowers. The beaches. But, golly, it won’t seem like Christmas without snow and my best girl.
“Ladies and gentleman, a special announcement…”
*No, it wasn’t happy news. There were a total of 2,335 military personnel killed, including 2,008 navy personnel, 109 marines, and 218 army. Added to this were 68 civilians, making the total 2403 people dead. 1,177 were from the USS Arizona.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Dear Rochelle,
I like how you created an expectation and built an open layer of anticipation; is the announcement related to Laura and Fred or is there going to be snow in Hawaii?
I would like to think they meet-up for the holidays.
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Dear James,
I’d like to think it was happy news, too. However it was news of the worst kind. I’ve added a short video to give more of an explanation.
Today, December 7 is what we in the States call Pearl Harbor Day. It was on December 7, 1941 that the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, I should have viewed the video first. Thank you.
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To be fair, James. I hadn’t posted the video until after you and another commentor didn’t quite get it. 😉
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Yes, I just researched the reason Japan decided to attack the US. In retaliation for freezing assets and restricting their ability to purchase oil. The Japanese were at war with China since 1937 and had plans to obtain resources from Philippines and other nations island nation nearby. Shocking.
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You’ve created a very authentic experience here Rochelle
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Thank you, Sadje.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome
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Over, over there
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🙄
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Such a sad story, for in war it is the innocent who suffer… Dennis Day was unknown to me, I will enjoy learning about him.
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Dear Michael,
There are no winners in a war, really. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Oh my, you really created a comfy, cozy mood until that special announcement!
Wonderfully done!
Shalom and lotsa bittersweet love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Apparently 81 years have dulled the memories of WWII. I’m glad you “got it.” Thank you so much, my friend.
Shalom and lotsa bittersweet hugs in return,
Rochelle
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Of course I did (and to make sure, I googled this ship…)
Time does that. Some things should be remembered; others, less!
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That is beautifully written, Rochelle, I will have to recap my knowledge of war history. I wonder about the special announcement too. I also like to think it was happy news, but probably not in wartime.
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Dear Fleur,
I did explain a bit of this story in the intro. I’m sorry if my story was confusing. I’ve added a short video clip to round it out a bit. Definitely not happy news. The USS Arizona, Fred’s ship was destroyed in the attack and over 170 crewmen were killed. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Correction. 1177 crewmen. I just added the stats before the video.
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No, not confusing at all, and no not at all a happy ending. Sorry, I didn’t need to write that. I like to research history in tories. 🙂
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Dear Rochelle,
Masterfully written but heartbreaking to read, the way you drove home how many families pleasurably anticipating Christmas or Hanukkah instead had their lives shattered on that day. The irony is, after all the lessons of history, we still pursue war, there being no war that ends all wars. May G_d help us.
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dorah,
Hawkeye said it brilliantly in MASH after Frank Burns stating that ‘war is hell.’. He said war is worse than hell. In hell there are no innocent bystanders. I fear as long as humans populate the earth there will be wars and rumors of wars. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Was that in MASH the series or the movie? Both were more good but more than a little different in tone. But yes, great point made with the unerring eye of the cynic.
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It was the series.
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Thank you so much for your story this week and the video link. Your story really sparked my interest in Pearl Harbor. As an Australian, I see footage rarely and mostly it’s scenes out of Hollywood blockbusters with dubious authenticity. Your story captured the scene as it happened without the lens of history and I appreciated the humanity in that and I cared a lot more.
My apologies that my story ignored the word limit this week but the photo seemed to reflect some of the confusion my mother is experiencing with vascular dementia and I didn’t want to cut the story short.
Hope you have a great week.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Dear Rowena,
Pearl Harbor is an important part of American history although I fear we’ve learned nothing from it. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, today is that “date which will live in infamy” 81 years later. You did a good job capturing it with Fred’s last letter home.
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Thank you so much, Trent. A good day to you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My Granny was the courier who delivered the telegram announcing the attack to the base commander at Wright Patterson. She always got tears in her eyes when she spoke of it. Her brother, my gr.uncle was stationed on the island at the time. Very frightening. Unkie Bud rarely spoke of it, but when he did (when I was a teen wanting to sign up) he said is was “worse than hell itself” that day.
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Dear Bear,
That’s quite a history. My dad was one of the first to be drafted after Pearl Harbor. He fought the Japanese and was a Purple Heart recipient. He rarely spoke of it. Thank you for your response.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never understood the phrase “Those who see true combat, rarely speak of it”… But, now, I do, in a way. There are different kinds of “combat”, after all.
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A great reminder that war is hell. On my last Navy cruise, prior to retiring with 28 years service, we stopped at Hawaii. I went on a tour of the Arizona monument and it was a very emotional moment for me and my Navy buddies. I will never forget the day that lived in infamy. You did a great job building up to the historic event.
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Dear Jan,
I can imagine it was an emotional moment. Thank you for your 28 years of service m’luv.
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Such a sad story. My parents received a letter from my brother a week after he died in a plane crash in Africa – devastating.
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Dear Liz,
There are so many sad stories. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you brought that moment back to life. It affected me viscerally. I should have been prepared, knowing today’s date.
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Dear Lisa,
It seemed the thing to write today. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I cannot even begin to imagine. We owe everything to our brave men and women who fought so valiantly. May we never forget.
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Dear Andrea,
That’s why we have memorials and documentaries. And even in the technological age we live in, it seems the memories are fading. 😉 Thank you for your sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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People’s entire lives can be changed that drastically in only an instant
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That’s for sure and certain, Larry. Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, again, for telling the stories oft not told enough, and for reminding of what was, and what was fought for. For some had already forgot.
Hugs, Na’ama (who isn’t quite as ‘regular’ as she was before, but still likes this FF community 🙂 )
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Na’ama Y’karah,
You are most welcome anytime you are able. Once an FF’r, always an FF’r. Thank you for your affirming comments. Those who forget history…
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Still amazed how you do this so succinctly.
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Dear Dawn,
I’m amazed that I’m still running this after 10 years. 😉 Thank you so much for a lovely compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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But, but, I thought Ben Aflick and his buddy saved the day… On a serious note, how tragic. All the lives lost and the trauma…
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Dear Tannille,
Movies are movies and facts are facts. It was a horrendous tragedy followed by more tragedy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is just sad!
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It is sad, Chioma. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Having read your foreword I should have expected a less-than-happy conclusion, but I was so heartened by the letter that it caught me unawares.
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Dear Keith,
I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a heart wrenching story that unfortunately is real.
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Dear Neel,
Too many true stories out there like this one I’m sure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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you just put a human touch to a tragedy that made america enter world war ii.
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Thank you, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those couple of lines introduction were enough to tell me I wouldn’t have liked the special announcement. I’m sure there were some terrible Christmases that year, and for several years afterwards.
As I said on Remembrance Day, everyone seems to want peace, but no society seems very good at procuring it.
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Dear Jen,
It seems that as long as there are humans, there will be no lasting peace. 😦 Thank you for your affirming words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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if only we could find innovative ways to help each other instead of kill each other and rush to others’ aid the way we rush to war. Well-written piece, Rochelle.
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Dear Nobbin,
All I can say to your comment is amen and thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A painful reminder of the horrors of war. Going into battle is one thing, having the battle brought to you unexpectedly quite another. Well done.
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Dear Sandra,
The attack on Pearl Harbor certainly jolted the US out of her complacency. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well written piece – yes definitely no winners in war ❤
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Thank you, Angela.
Shalom in the truest sense,
Rochelle
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Since I come late and you put up reminder and video already, I more or less expected the outcome. It’s heartbreaking and your writing shows that perfectly. I’ll watch Tora Tora Tora again this weekend. I watch it almost every year… It is such a good reminder how senseless war is. And yet, when you’re attacked, you fight back.
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Dear Gabi,
Sadly, it wasn’t “our war” until the Pearl Harbor attack. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Its a greatly sad tale Rochelle, expertly told, I can’t believe the reporter was cut off, that’s nuts.
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Dear Shrawley,
Have no fear, the announcer was only cut off in my recording, I haven’t figured out how to fade out on the phone. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a horrific day that was! Well captured.
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Thank you so much, Lish.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m going to add one more comment. When Donn and I were in Pearl Harbor and went to the memorial, the boat that took us over was full of high school kids messing around and laughing. Once we reached the memorial, the boatman said that we were entering the site where many had died and few bodies were recovered and to respect it as a burial site. The kids settled and were more than respectful. A young woman was standing close to a classmate, and I heard her whisper, “You’re having a hard time, aren’t you?” he silently shook his head and leaned against her, tears in his eyes.
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I love the way you captured the scene. Very engaging though ultimately sad.
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Thank you, Brit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh no…
The joy before heartbreak
The tension in that last line, oh boy!
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Dear Laurie,
What a terrible way to find out about such a tragedy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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it was tragic Rochelle. Beautiful letter for safe-keeping.Thank you.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Susan. Much appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a sobering reminder why it is so utterly important to strive for peace and collaboration and not yield to fear. Strong story that you told well.
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Dear Amanda,
Would that there was more collaboration among people. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wouldn’t that make a wonderful world?
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I like this, Rochelle.
I’m sure just such letters were written with all sorts of aftermaths.
Given the international aspect of FF, I was also intrigued by many of the comments.
Of course, no Pearl Harbor, no USA in WWII. While I’m sure we would have found a way into the ongoing European and Pacific war(s) anyway, this piece of history was both pivotal and critical.
Peace (in every sense of the word),
Bill
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Dear Bill,
I always wonder how many FF’rs will get my historical pieces. I was also intrigued by the comments.
It took an attack on US soil to shake the US of A out of her complacency. Rather like Nero while Rome burned. (Or is that going too far?)
Thank youfor your thoughtful and affirming comments.
Shalom in the truest sense,
Rochelle
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