Ghost Soldiers || Bucky Barnes

Chapter 32: The War

December 8, 1941

JAPS OPEN WAR ON U.S WITH BOMBING OF HAWAII

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. 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 through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clementine and Bucky first heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor by Steve. He had arrived on that Monday morning, extremely worried, to their apartment. They had immediately turned on the radio, which was announcing President Roosevelt's speech on repeat in all stations.

At first, none of them spoke a word. They were in shock, just as the entire country was. They listened to it on repeat a few times, until Bucky finally stood up and turned it off. He sat again once more, and the three of them look at each other with worried expressions.

"This is bad..." Muttered Bucky. "I don't even know what this really means."

"It means we are now part of World War II." Said Clementine, sighing. "My father was right... it was just a matter of time before this happened."

"So what happens now?" Asked Steve.

"The army starts asking men to join them..." Said Clementine. "It is only a matter of time before Germany and Italy declare war on us, so they need to start training men now."

"But what does that even mean? Are we going to attack Japan back or what? They didn't say anything else..." said Bucky, confused.

"I don't know... when we were in Europe back in July, my father used to say that if we ended up joining the war, we would have to prepare to fight on two fronts, Europe and the Pacific."