The years, they do fly by. It astonishes me how quickly important anniversaries make their laps. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been doing this for nine years or because I’m now in my late 50s and time really does speed up when you’re older. Not OLD, mind you – for as nice as it would be to pass the days in a rocking chair on the front porch, I’m not collecting my Social Security benefits quite yet – but older.

Furthermore, I have to say, increasingly I am a little intimidated to go back and look at my past posts. For Krampus, for St. Nicholas, and now for Pearl Harbor Day, I sincerely don’t know how I could improve on what I wrote last year, or even the year before. It is daunting to be in competition with oneself!

Especially so, since I’ve been under the weather this week, and it’s difficult to do anything, so I hope you will excuse me for deferring to the more able-bodied Classic Ross Amico of yore for this day that has lived in infamy, as I do take it seriously, even as I puzzle over what has happened to my country in recent decades.

Now is not the time to go too much into it, since the entire point is for me not to overextend myself in my weakened state, but it’s sad that we do not honor the countless Americans who sacrificed so much, both in the service and at home, by walking the walk. “Thank you for your service” is all well and good, but how about earning it by being civil to our neighbors, not treating domestic affairs like they’re a wrestling match, not glorifying violence, bullying, and vengeance, upholding fair-play, extending a helping hand, and doing our best to leave a positive imprint on our communities? We, as citizens of the United States, carry the seeds of our own salvation or destruction. Do we really want to be the ones to accomplish what the Axis could not?

On December 7, 1941, a surprise strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor resulted in 2,403 American deaths, 1,178 wounded, and the United States’ entry into World War II. Sailors, soldiers, airmen, marines, and civilians were among the casualties.

Here is last year’s remembrance of composer John Duffy, who served in the U.S. Navy and had family at Pearl Harbor:

And, from two years ago, my reflections on American Christmas in 1941:

Hopefully, next year I will have the strength, the focus, the fire, and the time to pound out another mini-masterpiece. For today, I’m still getting over a flu and I’ve got a deadline looming.

Dona nobis pacem. Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.