i've done some pretty cool things, but one of the most amazing weeks of my life was going to hawai'i for a conference that brought together japanese and american teachers to learn about and talk about the bombing of pearl harbor.  (what made it extra special?  it was almost free - my school paid for the flight and the national endowment for the humanities made the conference itself free for teachers.)  sitting in a room with japanese teachers and talking openly about sensitive topics was VERY cool.

i learned that the post-world war 2 japanese constitution forbids war.

i ate lunch with pearl harbor survivors.

i stood on the uss arizona memorial and saw the wreckage below gurgle up oil, as it has done since the ship sank in 1941.

it was an incredible week.

i'm not a proponent of war, but i do think it's incredibly important to understand why wars happen, and to honor the people who fought and died.

so, on this 70th anniversary of the attack on pearl harbor: i hope you're remembering.