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BOUNTIFUL — The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point that rallied Americans against a common cause, and thrust the United States into World War II 79 years ago Monday.
America is facing another national challenge in COVID-19, and some Utahns see parallels facing our country then and now.
Bountiful Veterans Park was just dedicated last month on Veterans Day. It recognizes those who served in the past, and those still serving today. Two of the founders of the park believe America needs to unite for service again.
"It is a very tough time for our country. As a country we do need to pull together," said Chris Simonsen, a U.S. Army veteran from the Vietnam era, and chairman of the board for Bountiful Veterans Park.
He was 2 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and he lost a cousin. After that attack, he said every family was called to sacrifice against a common enemy.
"There's a lot of parallels. A lot of parallels," he said.
Simonsen said he sees the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity for all of us to serve our country by wearing a mask, social distancing and protecting the most vulnerable.
"We need to be united," Simonsen said. "We need to be able to understand the truth of what is happening, and we need to be able to rely on what is being told to us is the truth."
He's not sure that there is enough leadership and that we are united enough to turn back the virus.
Following the attack, he said the president was able to rally the country for a common battle.
"When President Roosevelt said this day will go down in infamy, I think that was a rallying point where Americans came together and said we need to get involved, we need to be part of this fight," said Simonsen.
Ron Mortensen, a U.S. Air Force veteran on the Bountiful Veterans Park board, has similar concerns.
"I think COVID kind of caught us off guard, just like the Pearl Harbor attack caught us off guard," he said.
We need to be united. We need to be able to understand the truth of what is happening, and we need to be able to rely on what is being told to us is the truth.
–Chris Simonsen, US Army veteran
Mortensen said after the attack on Pearl Harbor, America realized it had not been prepared for battle.
"Just like the time of Pearl Harbor, we're playing catch-up," he said. "The great thing about the United States is you can start from behind, but you can catch up pretty quickly as we see with the vaccines, and the therapeutics and everything else."
That's what gives him hope that we do have the ability to rally together.
"We can take a hit and we can come back from it," Mortensen said. "I think will see that in this case."
Both men were optimistic that if the U.S. can start to see positive progress on the coronavirus, then it will be easier for Americans to come together.
"This is a great country, made up of great individuals," said Simonsen.
On the wall, you'll find the name of Musician Second Class Charles William White, who played drums in the band on the USS Arizona. He was killed in action that day 79 years ago and went down with the ship at age 21. He was the only person from Bountiful, that they are aware of, killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
