Comments on: Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor

By: Marina

Marina — Sun, 30 May 2010 08:06:21 +0000

If you are lucky enough to travel with someone in the military you can get in early (7:00am i believe) they must be wearing their dress uniform (out of respect). On most days there is a re-enlistment ceremony available to military and their guest only. The story of the kamikaze pilot and the Captain of the Mo is my favorite story so I really suggest ppl tour the Mo too. As for Adam driving onto the ford island bridge honestly it happens twenty times a day. The guards are use to it.

By: sheila

sheila — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:55:02 +0000

Great videos, Stefan!

By: sheila

sheila — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:54:45 +0000

Dave – thanks for that back of the boat trick!

By: Stefan

Stefan — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:52:02 +0000

I was there!
You’ll find a short video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhAj6CInx7o

(and the USS Missouri: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMjE3qEtCgM)

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:15:23 +0000

Get there early.

I’ve been several times. We had to wait almost 3-hours one time and got one of the last boats of the day because we got there late in the afternoon. However – Just like you said. There was plenty of other things to see & do do so we didn’t mind that much.

A long wait might be difficult if you have small kids with you or are elderly.

You can get some Great pictures if you sit in the very back of the boat on your way back to shore.

By: harper John

harper John — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:59:12 +0000

Pearl Harbor original footage set against Harper John’s song of the story of a still alive survivor ….performed by the American /British duo INDIEKLINE see Youtube “USS ARIZONA SINKING.

By: Adam Proehl

Adam Proehl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:45:40 +0000

I hear ya there. As someone who was born in the 70′s, it’s hard to imagine what life must have been like. I’m sure even the stories don’t do it justice.

When we were there for the first time, we also went to see the Missouri and stood in the spot where MacArthur signed the formal surrender document. When I thought about the fact I was standing on the ship where the war officially ended combined with the fact we were in the harbor where it began for the US, I could feel the chills even on a sunny 85 degree day.

By: Paula Bender

Paula Bender — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:56:38 +0000

Sheila:
Oh, you MUST tell them! I’ve written stories about survivors. They relish such encounters. They listen to you, but you listen to THEM. They never tire of hearing the appreciation. And they shouldn’t. They deserve to know every bit of gratitude! Go for it!

By: sheila

sheila — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:52:44 +0000

Oh, and one more thing, Adam. I’ve never been brave enough to approach one of the surviving servicemen. I’m afraid I’d burst into tears. I get misty-eyed just imagining saying a simple thank you to them.

I’ve been “blessed” with an abundance of sensitivity. Darn it!

By: sheila

sheila — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:47:30 +0000

Mahalo, Paula for your first time comment and kind words!

I agree with you, it is very important that we never forget the brave men and women who lost their lives that day.

When I reflect back on the images from my visits to the USS Arizona Memorial, one photograph comes to mind. It’s an image of a couple of very young seamen wearing only their underwear, who were manning a gun on one of the battleship decks. Gosh, what heros!

By: sheila

sheila — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:43:58 +0000

Thanks, Adam, for the warning that the H-1 signage could be more helpful. Andy and I used a GPS navigation system the last couple of visits, so that probably kept us from getting lost.

Thank you for reminding us that most of the servicemen were boys. You are exactly right, they were very young.

I hope that you’ll be able to bring your kids to see this memorial some day soon.

Thanks again for your comment!

By: Paula Bender

Paula Bender — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:09:43 +0000

Sheila, a great post. I, too, know those emotions that well in my soul upon visiting the USS Arizona Memorial. It is so important to never forget. It is so important to remember those who lost their lives, mostly young men mowed down in their prime. It saddens me that we are still in a warring world. I wish it were not so. It must be the hardest thing to lose a family member to war. It is never enough to know one’s husband, son or father died a hero.

By: Adam Proehl

Adam Proehl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:36:28 +0000

Thanks for the great post Sheila. I’ve visited the Arizona Memorial twice. The signage along H-1 isn’t always the best so the first time I was there I actually drove to the base at Pearl Harbor thinking that was it, but the security guard redirected me.

Going out to the Arizona Memorial was both a sobering and inspiring experience when you think about all those boys (and most of them were just boys not older than 20) that gave their lives.

Both times I’ve been there I was fortunate enough to meet a survivor of the attack. Because it’s now been 68 years since the attack, those opportunities are shrinking. Some day I’m going to take my kids there so they can see it first hand and gain a better appreciation of the sacrifices that were made on that day.