On December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the US Congress: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

Almost 60 years had passed since that day. The nation was again at peace. Yet on September 11, 2001; a group of terrorist cowards, suddenly and deliberately attacked our homeland; killing thousands of civilians, and many of the professional heroes whom attempted to rescue them.

In the words of writer and philosopher George Santayana: "Those who do not remember history are condemned to repeat it."

In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: "Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory" ..."With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God" This is the legacy left by "The Greatest Generation" to those brave men and women who, two generations later, will have to take up arms to rid the world of the terrorist scourage.

Let there be no mistake about it. Our forces today are better equipped, better trained. And, after the events of September 11th, posess the same "unbounded determination" as their grandparents did.
Generations

Robert F. Oliver - U.S. Army Air Corps, 1942
Allen T. Oliver - United States Air Force, 2002.

"May the grace of God, and the forever watchful presence of my father, give my son strengh, keep him safe from harm, and help him to serve this great nation with wisdom and honor in the troubled days ahead."
- Tom "The Bopper" Oliver