Tony Thurmond: “60 years ago I was serving as a Circuit Judge for the State of South Carolina. It was an early Sunday afternoon when…”

“60 years ago I was serving as a Circuit Judge for the State of South Carolina. It was an early Sunday afternoon when news reports began to stream in about the attack against the United States that took place at Pearl Harbor, HI. As I listened to news reports about the attack on our Pacific Fleet, I knew instantly, that the world we lived in was irreversibly changed. All across this great Nation, Americans reacted to the unprovoked attack on the United States with anger, and I shared those sentiments. We became galvanized as a Nation. Americans from all corners of the country rose to the call of duty. Long lines extended from every military recruiting office as men and women prepared to take up the challenge to the security of the United States and the American way of life. It was my privilege to join those who immediately volunteered to serve. I am proud of the service that I rendered as an Officer in the United States Army which included serving in the United States, Europe and the Pacific. The attack on Pearl Harbor was the beginning of America's direct military participation in World War II.”