McLean County Times

It's been eight decades since thousands of Americans were killed or hurt in an attack on Pearl Harbor, and on the anniversary of that day, Illinois state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) is remembering those who died in the bloodshed. 

During the morning of Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese fighter planes attacked a U.S. Naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii, and killed more than 2,400 Americans and hurt 1,000 more, including civilians. American naval ships and hundreds of planes were either damaged or destroyed during the violent invasion. 

"80 years ago, today," Sen. Rezin wrote in a Facebook post. "Remembering the lives lost at Pearl Harbor, a day that will live in infamy."

Fifty-seven Illinoisans, including two Conlin brothers from Decatur, were perished on the USS Arizona. Several other people who called the Prairie State home were also killed including Lt. John Dains, of Mount Olive, who was just 21-years-old at the time, and was awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star. My Journal Courier reported that some believe Dains shot down the first Japanese plane in the war.  William Arbuckle, of Marshall, was one of the 58 men killed on the USS Utah when it was bombed. 

On Dec. 8, 1941, the day after the deadly attack on Pearl Harbor, then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan. In an address to the nation, Roosevelt promised Americans he had ordered that every measure be taken to defend the country. According to Time, Roosevelt also said, "But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win to absolute victory."

Roosevelt also promised he and Congress would make sure that America not only defended itself, but would also make sure something like the attack on Pearl Harbor would never happen again.