Quote:
Originally Posted by Amnorix
It's a fair point. There are many other events that should be remembered and celebrated that aren't. But human nature isn't to do that, it's to key in on very specific events to the exclusion of others that may well have been just as important, but for whatever reason don't stick in the public's mind.
Sneak attack on our main base? That sticks.
Random atoll nobody has ever heard of and would have no hope of finding on a map to save their lives? Not so much.
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The interesting thing to me too - and not to take anything away from the people there - is that they essentially had greatness thrust upon them. They had no idea they were in danger. All of a sudden bullets were flying and they had no choice in the matter.
Now contrast that with a guy who's on a boat headed to Tarawa, knowing that he's got to wade ashore in front of an emplaced enemy that's expecting him. Whose actions are really more brave? And yet the guys wading ashore stand in the back of the room watching the Pearl Harbor anniversary every year, and the guys who invaded Sicily or Attu or wherever stand in the back of the room watching the D-Day anniversary every year.
Obviously Pearl Harbor and D-Day people deserve significant recognition, but as a student of history I'd like to see other key events get recognition, and hear the stories of their people, too. As you said, though, they tend to get lost in the noise since they weren't the door openers.