[[link removed]][link removed] [[link removed]]

Hello,

Today, Pearl Harbor Day, marks a memorable moment in American history.

For some, it became a call to military service. Others may note that it is when a member of their family began to work in another industry to support the war effort. For others it may mark a time of family turmoil—an internment camp, a move to another country, or the death of a family member.

In the Franken family, my dad joined the war effort as a sailor right after December 7, 1941. He immediately went to his first ship and that began a storied four years of unstated horror, a triumph to live, and ultimately, a marriage to a wonderful woman and a life back in rural northwest Iowa.

Situated between Thanksgiving and Christmas, December 7 was a part of the end-of-year trio in the Franken family—Thanksgiving, Pearl Harbor Day, and then the grand finale, the Christmas Holiday.

Our family routines for Thanksgiving and Christmas were conventional, I’d say. But Pearl Harbor Day was something less tangible. The calendar hanging on the kitchen’s cork board would have the day circled, dad’s scribble on his Word of the Day ‘rip-away calendar,’ and mom would tell a quick, thought-provoking story about what it was like when the nation turned to fight a world war.

In retrospect, the day was about forgiveness. My dad learned over the years to understand that his enemies in 1941 were sailors with families much like himself. And the terrible losses this nation and the world felt were softened with the passage of time.

I like to think that the end of year begins with the reminder of thankfulness expressed at Thanksgiving. Then, a time to forgive and remember those who sacrificed for our nation on Pearl Harbor Day. And we close the year with a Holiday Season of hopefulness represented by Christmas, Hanukkah, and other religious holidays.

These have been a tough few years in America. We know that many issues divide us, both socially and politically. We may not ‘clear the air’ between competing viewpoints, but we ought to try, nonetheless.

Thankfulness, forgiveness, and hope… that’s how I am ending the year.

Mike Franken, VADM, U.S. Navy (ret.)

Contribute [[link removed]] Paid for by Michael Franken for Iowa, IncMichael Franken for Iowa, Inc
PO Box 13401
Des Moines, IA 50310
United States

This email was sent to [email protected].
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .


VICE ADMIRAL FRANKEN (RET) IS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE U.S. NAVY. USE OF HIS MILITARY RANK, JOB TITLES, AND PHOTOGRAPHS IN UNIFORM DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.