A living link to history reminds America why remembering the past is more important than ever.
For 101-year-old Jack Holder, December 7 isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s a reminder of the day his world—and the world itself—changed forever. Holder, one of the last surviving veterans of the attack on Pearl Harbor, returned to Hawaii this week to mark the anniversary of the event that propelled the United States into World War II.
“I’m not here for myself,” Holder said. “I’m here for the men who didn’t come home. They deserve to be remembered.”
In a time when history often feels like it’s slipping out of focus, Holder’s presence is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that shaped the modern world.
From Survivor to Witness
Holder was just 20 years old when Japanese planes roared over Pearl Harbor on that infamous morning in 1941. As bombs fell and chaos unfolded, Holder’s instincts as a U.S. Navy flight engineer kicked in. He survived the attack, but the memory of the devastation—2,403 Americans killed, countless more injured—never left him.
Over the decades, Holder has shared his story at schools, memorials, and veterans’ events, ensuring that the lessons of Pearl Harbor aren’t forgotten.
“It wasn’t just a day of destruction,” he said. “It was the day America woke up.”
A Fading Generation
With fewer than 1,500 WWII veterans alive today, Holder’s presence at this year’s commemoration feels particularly poignant. He’s part of a dwindling group of men and women whose firsthand accounts keep history alive.
But for Holder, the fading numbers aren’t a reason for despair—they’re a call to action. “It’s up to the next generation to remember what we fought for,” he said.
Why It Matters Now
Holder’s journey comes at a time when global conflict and national division are once again dominating headlines. For him, the lessons of Pearl Harbor go far beyond military strategy.
• Unity in Crisis: “After the attack, we weren’t Democrats or Republicans. We were Americans,” Holder recalled.
• The Cost of Complacency: Holder believes Pearl Harbor should serve as a warning about the dangers of underestimating threats.
• Honoring Sacrifice: “Freedom isn’t free. It’s paid for in blood and sweat, and it has to be protected,” he said.
The Final Salute
As Holder stood at Pearl Harbor, saluting the waters where so many of his comrades lost their lives, the weight of history was palpable. For him, the anniversary isn’t just a time to mourn—it’s a time to inspire.
“We lived through the worst so that you could live in the best,” he said. “Don’t waste it.”
America may never fully repay the debt it owes to men like Jack Holder, but honoring their stories is a good place to start.