The attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, unleashed an outpouring of patriotic resolve throughout the United States. Citizens from all walks of life were eager to do their part in defending the nation. Employment service boards were overwhelmed with applicants, with even Social Security recipients rushing to go back to work. Manufacturing plants went from producing cars and appliances to planes, tanks and artillery.

But for the electrical workers of Hawaii, the only American territory to experience direct attack, the immediate response was not one of production but of resilience and recovery.

Local 1186 in Honolulu was chartered in June 1940 by 19 civil service electricians working at the Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard. The Japanese attack nearly destroyed their entire livelihood, and it would require months of grueling, nonstop work to rebuild from the rubble. Sylvia Johnson, a member of 1186's woman's auxiliary, submitted the following article in May of 1942 to give voice to these brothers and their wives:

Our men are working long hours — often 10 hours a day, seven days a week. Early closing hours of Honolulu stores due to blackouts make it impossible for them to buy the simplest of necessities, such as razor blades and work clothes. Blackout evenings are depressing for the men whose families have gone back to the mainland. Grocery stores are mostly sold out of meat and butter.

Yes, we have known the tightening in the throat that comes when the air raid sirens start to wail. Yes, we carry gas masks and tin helmets when carrying groceries on an over-crowded bus. But we have not shown fear; we have kept cheerful for the sake of the men whose skilled work is so vital to victory.

Many of us have taken clerical jobs with the Army or Navy. We have deposited blood in the plasma bank. We keep our evacuation suitcases packed, and get our shoes muddy in air-raid shelters. We remind our men to bring dry shoes when they get water-soaked from working in the bilges of ships. But what a small price to pay for the privilege of having our men return to us every night, for the knowledge that another day has passed and they are still in one piece.

Yes — we have been fortunate. We face realistically and calmly the fact that, in months to come, we may not be so fortunate. But the women of England have shown us what women can face. And like them, we are staying on our island!

Another story comes from a July 1942 article submitted by Honolulu Local 1260. It was chartered just five months before the Pearl Harbor attack. On Dec. 24, 1941, instead of enjoying what would have been the local's first Christmas reception, the executive board had convened to determine how best to assist their fellow citizens in the early days of war:

At the time, we did not know how many of our fellow trade unionists had been killed, wounded, or were missing as a result of the attack. President Joseph Zasimovitch then told the executive committee that the need for ambulances and medical supplies was very urgent and he believed Local 1260 could be of invaluable assistance in rendering aid. Funds were appropriated to cover expenses of mailing letters to local unions on the mainland for assistance in furnishing an ambulance for the Emergency Medical Service. The international representative for Hawaii, M.B. Keeton, concurred and before January 1, 1942, letters were in the mail to all local unions.

The response from locals in the United States and Canada and from individual members was instantaneous and wholehearted; for not only was enough money received to purchase an ambulance but also left a balance from which $200 was given to the Army Relief Fund and $200 to the Navy Relief Fund. The ambulance is of the station wagon type, as this type more readily fitted into the needs of the Emergency Medical Service because it could also be used for transporting doctors, nurses, and supplies wherever the need may be. The officials, headed by Dr. Harry L. Arnold, were overjoyed to receive this piece of much needed equipment. Local 1260 takes this means of expressing its thanks, gratitude and deep appreciation to every local union and individual member of the IBEW who assisted us in making it possible to furnish this relief.

These locals exemplify the true spirit of IBEW workers. Throughout history, in times of adversity and struggle, it is the bonds of fraternity and sisterhood that allow our members to rise to the challenge and get the work done.