On the recordAugust 5, 2015
this month, 70 years ago, the greatest crisis of the 20th century came to an end. Lasting 6 full years and involving participants from over 30 countries, World War II was the most widespread and devastating war in human history. America's isolation from this dreadful conflict abruptly ended when, on the morning of December 7, 1941, our Nation came under sudden and deliberate attack. In less than 2 hours, thousands of lives were lost as bombs fell across the island of Oahu and that quiet Sunday morning quickly turned into a terrible scene of violence and horror. But the attacks on Pearl Harbor did not break the American spirit. In this darkest of moments, our country discovered a renewed sense of strength, courage and resiliency; qualities that define us. And, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, American forces joined the Allied Powers, fighting side-by-side against Nazi oppression in Europe and Japanese expansion in the Pacific. Sixteen million Americans bravely served in these two theaters of conflict, and it was through their patriotism and courage that freedom was able to triumph over tyranny. I also want to recognize Maine's important role in the war effort. In northern Maine, Army airfields in Bangor, Presque Isle, and Houlton provided strategic air basing and training sites which facilitated the deployment of personnel and equipment overseas to the frontlines.…





