I was never one for bar hopping in my younger days, but during a trip to Maui last fall, Jim and I did succumb to some island hopping. I highly recommend it!
Bird's eye view of the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i.
The beautiful city of Chicago is proof that Illinois is not all cornfields. O’ahu is proof Hawaii is not all beachfront property. Besides, we were in the neighborhood (at least when it comes to one archipelago in the Pacific Ocean). It seemed a no brainer to visit Pearl Harbor while the opportunity was there.
I really, really wanted to see the memorial to the USS Arizona. Growing up a military brat and living the nomadic life style (7 schools during my 12 years of public education), more often than not my extended family was the corps: “The few, the proud, the Marines.”
“Yep, I enlisted one year, one month, and one day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor,” my father reflected when I shared our plans to see the USS Arizona Memorial.
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was obviously indelibly etched into the consciousness of the “G.I. Generation.” My father was one of the 16 million veterans who came of age during the Great
Depression and fought in World War II. He is one of a million veterans remaining from what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.”
Growing up my dad was a “bulldog” through and through (he was the epitome of the Marine Corp mascot), but now, at 87, he’s all bark and no bite. He has grown into his greatness although it’s not a moniker he embraces.
I really, really wanted to see the memorial to the USS Arizona. Growing up a military brat and living the nomadic life style (7 schools during my 12 years of public education), more often than not my extended family was the corps: “The few, the proud, the Marines.”
“Yep, I enlisted one year, one month, and one day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor,” my father reflected when I shared our plans to see the USS Arizona Memorial.
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was obviously indelibly etched into the consciousness of the “G.I. Generation.” My father was one of the 16 million veterans who came of age during the Great
Depression and fought in World War II. He is one of a million veterans remaining from what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.”
Growing up my dad was a “bulldog” through and through (he was the epitome of the Marine Corp mascot), but now, at 87, he’s all bark and no bite. He has grown into his greatness although it’s not a moniker he embraces.
The memorial to those crew lost on board the USS Arizona is a beacon of light on that sad day in 1941.
Jim and I embraced the day we were given, hopping on board a plane in Maui early one morning to make a day of it in Honolulu, O’ahu. It was a grey day early that morning, a drizzle now and then evidence the clouds were over burdened with the task of keeping this tropical paradise lush and green. Hawaii takes her status as the Rainbow State very seriously.
Life is too beautiful not to remember and honor those lost defending freedom.
The battleship USS Arizona was one of 96 ships in Pearl Harbor that fateful Sunday morning,
December 7, 1941. As Jim and I crossed this lagoon harbor via boat to the site where the USS Arizona sank 9 minutes after being hit, I couldn’t help but think about the 1,177 crewmen (more than half the total casualties that day) aboard the ship that died that morning. I grabbed Jim’s hand, savoring the life we shared together minus such tragedy.
We joined the quiet throng of visitors as we moved into the Memorial via a gangplank. At the far end of the Memorial, adjacent to the wall bearing the names of the crewmen lost aboard the USS Arizona I saw the Tree of Life relief again. Designed by Memorial architect Alfred Preis, the relief is a symbol of renewal and contemplation for the 1.4 million annual visitors that come to see this watery grave site. I found his efforts inspiring.
December 7, 1941. As Jim and I crossed this lagoon harbor via boat to the site where the USS Arizona sank 9 minutes after being hit, I couldn’t help but think about the 1,177 crewmen (more than half the total casualties that day) aboard the ship that died that morning. I grabbed Jim’s hand, savoring the life we shared together minus such tragedy.
We joined the quiet throng of visitors as we moved into the Memorial via a gangplank. At the far end of the Memorial, adjacent to the wall bearing the names of the crewmen lost aboard the USS Arizona I saw the Tree of Life relief again. Designed by Memorial architect Alfred Preis, the relief is a symbol of renewal and contemplation for the 1.4 million annual visitors that come to see this watery grave site. I found his efforts inspiring.
Seeing each crew member's name listed made the loss that much more significant and individual.
This was not your ordinary national cemetery. Seeing portions of the sunken vessel just beneath the surface of the water made the loss seem more tangible than historic, more personal than statistic, especially knowing so many went down with the very ship on which the Memorial rests. It made their sacrifice and loss very real, as real as the irridescent oil spills that show up given the USS Arizona has an estimated 500,000 gallons of thick crude oil remaining in her deteriorating hulk.
Jim thinks this was possibly one of the ship's gun turrets.
Of the 337 crewmen that survived the bombing of the USS Arizona, 25 have been interred with the rest of their crew over the last sixty-one years. Divers carry their ashes into the deep to their final resting place within the bowels of the battle ship. According to the National Parks Service, 13 Arizona survivors are still alive as of 2012. One has expressed the wish to be reunited with his crew when the time comes.
The battleship USS Arizona was decommissioned from the US Navy after she sank, but symbolically “re-commissioned” on March 7, 1950 when a flag was raised again on the ship.
The battleship USS Arizona was decommissioned from the US Navy after she sank, but symbolically “re-commissioned” on March 7, 1950 when a flag was raised again on the ship.
The stars and stripes viewed through one of the openings in the top of the USS Arizona Memorial.
As the sun began to take clear possession of the day, the space inside the Memorial was infused with a blinding light as the warm rays danced on the white walls, oblivious of everything but another new day.
Despite the crowds, it was quiet as Jim and I went through the memorial.
The day felt complete when Jim and I returned to the boat that carried us away from this shrine.
I always call my father and my brother on Veterans Day and thank them for their years of service. On Veterans Day I also whisper a prayer for all the families that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Freedom is never free.
I always call my father and my brother on Veterans Day and thank them for their years of service. On Veterans Day I also whisper a prayer for all the families that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Freedom is never free.
_____________________________________________
The Bottom Line on the USS Arizona Memorial:
Verdict: This was a very moving memorial to one of the most significant and tragic events in US history. If you’re in the neighborhood, you don’t want to miss this tour. The tour includes a 23 minute film on the history of the Pearl Harbor attack before transport via a Navy launch to the actual memorial site. It usually takes about 75 minutes for the entire tour, but wait times can be as long as tour hours. This National Historic Site includes the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine, USS Missouri Battleship, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.
How to Get There: The USS Arizona Memorial and National Historic Site is located at 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, Hawaii, very close to the Admiral Bernard Chick Clarey Bridge and the Kamehameha Highway (Interstate 99). Parking was free.
Insider Information: Plan your visit and purchase tickets online at the official site to avoid long wait times. Tours run from 8 to 3 every day of the year except Pearl Harbor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Since 911, there is a “No Bags” policy while visiting Pearl Harbor. That includes purses, diaper bags, fanny packs – anything that can
conceal an object, so leave bags in your vehicle or opt for the $3 on site storage fee. Several coupons are available on the Pacific Parks Site that will get you a free copy of the December 7, 1941 newspaper as well as a 70th anniversary commemorative mug.
Nearby Food: There is cafeteria style food onsite. We visited the site early and had lunch later along Waikiki Beach.
The Bottom Line on the USS Arizona Memorial:
Verdict: This was a very moving memorial to one of the most significant and tragic events in US history. If you’re in the neighborhood, you don’t want to miss this tour. The tour includes a 23 minute film on the history of the Pearl Harbor attack before transport via a Navy launch to the actual memorial site. It usually takes about 75 minutes for the entire tour, but wait times can be as long as tour hours. This National Historic Site includes the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine, USS Missouri Battleship, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.
How to Get There: The USS Arizona Memorial and National Historic Site is located at 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, Hawaii, very close to the Admiral Bernard Chick Clarey Bridge and the Kamehameha Highway (Interstate 99). Parking was free.
Insider Information: Plan your visit and purchase tickets online at the official site to avoid long wait times. Tours run from 8 to 3 every day of the year except Pearl Harbor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Since 911, there is a “No Bags” policy while visiting Pearl Harbor. That includes purses, diaper bags, fanny packs – anything that can
conceal an object, so leave bags in your vehicle or opt for the $3 on site storage fee. Several coupons are available on the Pacific Parks Site that will get you a free copy of the December 7, 1941 newspaper as well as a 70th anniversary commemorative mug.
Nearby Food: There is cafeteria style food onsite. We visited the site early and had lunch later along Waikiki Beach.
RSS Feed