Sunday, December 7, 1941

Boom. Boom. Crash.
All I could see was my small hands just a few inches in front of me. I could barely breathe because there was so much smoke in the air. All I could hear was the sound of the Pacific Ocean hitting the wet sand on Honolulu Beach. Suddenly, there was another loud boom. I could tell the smoke in the air was getting thicker and thicker. At this moment I truly wondered if this was the end of my short seven year life in Hawaii. Immediately after the third boom, everything went even darker than it was before. I can’t remember how long I was asleep, but all I know was this day would change my life forever.

Thursday, December 4, 1941

“ James, honey, wake up, you’re going to be late for school.” I slowly crawled out of bed and threw on some clothes and ran to the kitchen where I found my family rushing to get ready for school. My family is always rushing. I have an older sister named Mary, who is ten years old. She is also really good at soccer and would love to be a professional. I also have a brother named John who is twelve years old. He is really good at football and wants everyone to know it. I don’t really know what my mom does all day. I’m convinced she just stays home and watches TV. I wish I could do that.
My dad looked up from the paper and said, “ Good morning, James. How did you sleep?” My dad works at Pearl Harbor with all the really big boats. It sounds so cool I wish I could go to work with him.
I forgot to mention my name is James and I’m seven years old. “Goodmorning Dad, I slept fine.”
I sat at the table and had some breakfast then I had to go to school. I really don’t enjoy school, but my sister Mary tells me to enjoy kindergarten while I can.

Friday, December 5, 1941

Today I was sitting in school bored out of my mind. I was just staring out the window watching the world go by while my teacher explains to us what 2+3 is. She must think we’re dumb or something.
“ James, what is the answer to number five?”
I quickly looked down at my book to see what the question was. “ 5.” Math is way too easy for me so I continued to look out the window. It made me wonder what my dad was doing right now.
Saturday, December 6, 1941

The next two days were quite boring with all the rain Hawaii was getting. It makes me mad because I can’t do anything fun outside.
We got ready on Saturday to go to church. I can’t truly say I love church, but what do you expect from a seven year old? I just don’t want to sit in uncomfortable chairs and listen to a guy talk for an hour. Don’t get me wrong; I know church is good and all, but how long do you expect a kid to sit still in church? Not very long.
“ James, sit still and stop messing with your brother.”
And don’t get me started on my family in church. We also come bursting through the door ten minutes late. Not to mention how much me and my brother fight. If you had a brother like John, you would probably fight with him too.
Once the sermon ended, we went home to enjoy the rest of this boring rainy Saturday.

Sunday, December 7, 1941

Once I saw the bright sunlight come through my window, I knew it was morning. Today was the day. I finally got to go to Pearl Harbor with my dad. I couldn’t sleep all night I was so excited. I got out of bed. I put on my favorite shirt and walked to the kitchen where I found my family making breakfast.
“ Good morning, James; are you ready for work today?”
“ Of course.”
After breakfast, Mary and John left to go to school. I’m so glad I don’t have to go to school today, but Mary and John didn’t seem too happy to say the least.
After a short car ride, we finally arrived at Pearl Harbor around seven-thirty in the morning. My dad showed me all the ships. There were so many different types and tons of colors. I couldn’t believe how many ships were in one place. It seemed like a normal day till about 7:48 when we heard the first boom. Once it hit, I didn’t think much until I heard the cry of several now wounded sailors. Then another boom came. Then another. One bomb dropped just a few feet from me and my dad. My ears wouldn’t stop ringing after that. Then the smell of smoke filled the air and my lungs. The next few moments were the scariest. All that went through my mind was:
Who did this?
Why did they do this?
Where is my dad?
Why is all of this happening right now?
A few seconds later I felt a hand grab me. I just assumed it was my dad trying to get me out of here, but I was wrong.

Monday, December 8, 1941

I woke up that next day and my head was pounding. I felt like I ran into a brick wall. My family was sitting beside my bed asking me if I was okay. However, the only words I could get out were, “Where is dad?” Even though it was a question, I think I already knew the answer.
It turns out that a soldier was the one who saved me and that my dad passed away during the attack. Even though my dad is gone, I know in my heart he is looking down at me from heaven and that December 7, 1941, would go down in history.