I want to thank the Japanese for attacking Pearl Harbor 83 years ago because if they hadn’t I would have never been born.

You see my father Joseph Peter Swier was in seminary to become a Catholic priest in 1941.

After the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor my father felt compelled to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. He spent his entire time in service in the Pacific Theatre flying in bombers.

My father was, and still is, an American hero.

After leaving the service he met my mother Ann and they married having three boys, me the eldest, my brother Tom and my brother John the youngest.

My father encouraged me to enter the ROTC program at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduation I was sworn in as a U.S. Army officer and dedicated 23 years of my life defending the U.S. Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. I continue to do so as the publisher of DrRichSwier.com, in honor of my father, mother and family.

My first assignment was with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam from December 1967 to December 1968. I was a Field Artillery forward observer with Alpha and Delta Companies of the 1st Battalion 501st Infantry, Airborne. I served with many heroes.

We must never forget our soldiers, sailors, Marines and Airmen and women who have fought and died to protect our Constitutional Republic.

We must honor them, as they are the heroes that are still among us and in our memories.

The say God works in mysterious ways. He does for today, December 7th, 2024, is the day the doors of Notre Dame Cathedral officially re-opened. What a blessing.

WATCH: Notre Dame Cathedral officially re-opens its doors. What a blessed scene.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

The National Infantry Museum Foundation wrote:

The morning of December 7, 1941 began like usual for the Dunn family, Elizabeth was waiting in the parking lot to pick up her husband 1LT Charles E. Dunn from his shift as duty officer at Hickam Army Airfield in Oahu. What happened next was unprecedented and changed the course of history. Japanese aircraft struck the islands of Hawaii Territory.

LT Dunn was in the control tower when the attack occurred minutes prior to his relief arriving. The sky was falling. Elizabeth narrowly escaped injury as 10 other parked staff cars at the base of the control tower were destroyed, including the relief for LT Dunn.

Elizabeth was whisked to safety by another soldier while LT Dunn stayed at his post, with his Colt pistol as his only defense.

A few days later, military dependents were directed to evacuate the territory via the first available ocean liner, military or civilian. In less than a month, the Dunn family, like so many, found themselves experiencing the terror of war on the homefront, household goods shipped away, seperated from loved ones, and facing the unknown. Elizabeth carried Charles’ pistol as protection

The National Infantry Museum houses objects associated with stories like these. It is our mission to honor soldiers past, present, and future by safeguarding items that bring to life pieces of our past. Help us secure the support we need so we may remember every sacrifice and honor the service of the heroes among us.

Please support the National Infantry Museum Foundation.

©2024 Dr. Richard M. Swier, LTC U.S. Army (Ret.) All rights reserved.