Significance of Dec. 7 getting lost

I conducted the most informal, unscientific poll imaginable on Wednesday and the results were disappointing. I asked nearly two dozen people if today - Dec. 7 - had any significance to them. I think I actually asked what happened on Dec. 7.

One person, a man near my age, knew that today was the "day of infamy" when our nation was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Now to be fair, I know not one person I asked had been born before that date. But still, surely some history class somewhere or some distant newspaper article would have implanted the importance of this memorable date.

I thought about the "poll" results last night and was somewhat dismayed that so many among us know so little of our history. The older generation knows full well the significance of this day. As the son of a World War II veteran, I have heard the stories of Pearl Harbor as long as I can remember. It's the first thought in my mind when I turn the calendar to this date.

But time, unfortunately, has a way of eroding our memories. I did a similar "poll" on the Kennedy assassination anniversary - Nov. 22 - and got similar results. But those I asked then had not been born at the time.

I'm sure that there was a time when school kids could tell you the anniversary of the Lincoln assassination or the day that FDR died. But time gives us new anniversaries like Sept. 11 and they replace the ancient dates of importance.

I once had an uncle who was stationed at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day. I cannot recall any stories that were shared but I always carried that memory around with some level of pride. The same pride I carry that my father was front and center on Iwo Jima. That historic battle began on Feb. 19.

Today will pass with only a fleeting mention of Pearl Harbor. There will be ceremonies but they will not generate much news value anymore. It's sad yet I guess understandable.

Yet for those who recall Dec. 7, 1941, today is special and significant. It should be that way for all of us.