WAR: Proclamation—The United States of America is at war. Hostilities have been commenced in the Pacific Ocean and this fact dwarfs all that has previously happened. Iowa’s Governor sends the following message to Iowans:
Our sovereignty has been challenged and our national integrity violated by armed assault upon our ships and harbors at the command of aggressors, who would enslave those who would uphold liberty and preserve peace. It is with deep sorrow and righteous indignation that we recognize the plot to dethrone law and reason by turning civilization back many centuries and destroying the fruits of the toil and suffering by which the spiritual growth of mankind has been accomplished.
The impact of actual war, secretly planned and cowardly directed, imposes upon everyone who believes in government by the people; the duty, regardless of any and all differences, to join in all our defense of our State and our Nation, and all that they mean to us and to freedom loving people everywhere.
It is highly gratifying that the vote of our Iowa members of Congress, in both branches, was unanimously for pledging all our strength and devoting all our resources to meet the challenge and to carry on to complete victory.
The most favorable position of Iowa near the heart of the continent and endowed with geographic, physical, social, economic and spiritual advantages, enables us to face the crisis with calm and deliberate judgment; and because of this fact, we are duty bound to dedicate ourselves and all that we possess to that which is today the common cause of every loyal American.
We offer without reservation the vast resources our soil and climate and the output of our industrial equipment, the genius and capacity of our men of business and the professions, the kill and tireless zest of our manpower, the kindly sympathy and willing hands of our women, our ability to produce abundantly the food and fuel and fiber to maintain leadership in all things, and the willingness to make whatever sacrifices that may be necessary. On this occasion, as on every other of national danger, Iowa is ready.
To the end that the people generally shall have opportunity to personally manifest their loyalty and to renew their pledge to uphold the right of self government, I, Geo. A. Wilson, Governor, do hereby designate and proclaim
Iowa Defense Day, Sunday, December 14, 1941
I feel free to ask and to urge that on that day, or as soon thereafter as may be convenient, the people meet in arranged programs, in churches, public halls, schools or elsewhere, to freely consider what is the duty of each and everyone, to refresh patriotism and fit it to the needs of the present world crisis, and to make plans in whatever way may seem best for doing our part under the leadership of the commander-in-chief of our army and navy in resistance to the evil forces that are seeking to destroy our great republic.
In testimony whereof, I have here unto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Iowa. Done at Des Moines, this 8th day of December, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-One, of the State of Iowa the Ninety-Fifth, and of the Independence of the United States and One Hundred and Sixty-Sixth. Geo. A. Wilson, Governor.