TALKING POINTS: 'A day which will live in infamy'

Saturday is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and this year marks the 78th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor claiming the lives of close to 2,400 military personnel, including three young Ottawa men.

Ottawa’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2470 is named for sailors Robert Halterman and Herman Koeppe and Marine James McCarrens.

The late Richard Foltynewicz of Ottawa was a driving force in designating Dec. 7 as a National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in the 1990s.

There’s little doubt President Roosevelt’s declaration after the attack on Pearl Harbor that Dec. 7 would be “a day which will live in infamy” will ever be forgotten locally.

Please take a moment Saturday to pay special attention to flags at half staff and honor all who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor 78 years ago on Dec. 7, 1941.

Tis the season

Starved Rock Country is beginning to look like a major airport with all runways lit in colorful Christmas lighting.

Communities and charities have or still are kicking off the season with traditional Christmas parades and fund- and food-raising activities.

It’s time to contribute generously to The Times' annual Red Stocking campaign, WCMY and JACK FM’s “Freezin’ For A Reezin’ food drive, the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle drive and numerous other worthy campaigns across the area.

“War on Christmas?" You won’t find it here.

Shopping season

Wow, the average family Christmas shopping spending totals will top $1,500 this season, according to some reports.

And you thought it was the recognition of the real meaning of the season that counts.

Just go easy on the credit cards, and enjoy checking off the list.

Please shop locally. Thank you.

Now the weather

Winter’s here and has been since about Halloween.

It’s the season for polar vortexes, bomb cyclones and occasional breaks with temperatures in the 40- or maybe 50-degree range.

Maybe this year the snowmobile industry will experience a little economic uptick and there won’t be a problem with water instead of ice on those outdoor ice skating facilities. That might help the ice skating business, too.

It’s time to ensure your vehicle emergency kit is ready and to keep a close watch on the weather before hitting the road.

And if you do, please be watchful for snow plowing crews, snowmobiles and ice skaters.

JIM FRENCH, of Ottawa, is retired after 43 years in radio broadcasting, including 33 in Ottawa. You can reach him through The Times by emailing newsroom@mywebtimes.com.