In the Silence, We Remember

There’s a kind of silence that isn’t just the absence of sound—it’s a presence, a weight, a profound stillness that commands reflection. I found that silence at Pearl Harbor, standing above the watery grave of the USS Arizona.

It was a visit I had long anticipated, not merely to witness history but to feel it. As a veteran, I wanted to pay my respects to those who gave their lives on December 7, 1941, and to honor the sacrifices made in defense of the freedoms we so often take for granted. But what I didn’t expect was the way this experience would speak to something much deeper—the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of reflection.

The USS Arizona Memorial is quiet, but it speaks. It tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and the fragility of life. It forces you to pause and think beyond yourself, to acknowledge the vastness of history and the shared struggles that bind us together as people. As I stood there with my son, Jeremy, I felt the weight of the moment—not just for what happened that day, but for how it still resonates.

For those of us navigating challenges, whether personal or professional, there’s an important lesson here. Silence and reflection are powerful tools. In the stillness, we can find clarity. In remembering those who came before us, we gain perspective. And in thinking beyond ourselves, we find purpose.

The resilience of those who endured Pearl Harbor, and of the nation that rallied in its aftermath, serves as a profound example of how we too can rise from the depths. Their courage reminds us that even in moments of unimaginable adversity, there is hope, strength, and a path forward.

As I left Pearl Harbor, I carried with me more than memories—I carried a renewed commitment to pause, reflect, and honor the bigger picture. This, I believe, is where resilience begins. It’s not in avoiding hardship but in facing it with the quiet strength to move forward, knowing we’re part of something greater than ourselves.

Pearl Harbor is more than a historical site; it’s a lesson in resilience, one that calls us to honor the past by finding the strength to navigate our own challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem.