“When the Arizona exploded, she rained sailors.” — Memories of a survivor
Today is the 67th anniversary of the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor. This was the date that the United States entered World War II against the Axis powers (Japan, Germany and Italy). It is remarkable that they are all allies of the United States today!The culmination of that battle was the sinking of the USS Arizona at the cost of over 1100 American men. They are forever entombed in the ship. The Arizona remains the most popular attraction in Hawaii, please visit when you are in the state. But we should never forget what happened today. Here are a couple of pictures taken from my honeymoon of the Arizona as she sits today under water.
Amazingly, she is still leaking oil after all these years!
The names of the 1177 Sailors and Marines who died on the Arizona:
Battleship Row: The White moorings are the positions of the ships on December 7th, 1941.
The USS Missouri is permanently moored next the the Arizona. The war ended on the decks of the Missouri in in 1945 in Tokyo Harbor.
Hot Air has an exellent video of the event you can see here.
5 comments:
I have visited this place. A very emotional experience. Listened to twelve college grads interviewed. Only two knew of any significance to the words Pearl Harbor.
When Mr. AOW and I visited Hawaii years ago, the Arizona Memorial was so crowded that we couldn't spend the time to get in. We've always regretted not being able to pay proper tribute there.
But we did get to visit Punchbowl Cemetery. Very sobering.
Hubby and I lived in Hawaii for a short time when he was with the Navy stationed at both Pearl Harbor and Barber's Point. We visited the memorial several times then.
We also took our daughter back on a visit when she was old enough to understand.
This week hubby and I watched several History Channel specials on Pearl Harbor and one just on the memorial. I forget now how many years it took to get the memorial design ready and finished, but it was a very long time.
I get frustrated that the New York memorial at the trade towers has not been finished yet. I guess I'm impatient.
Right Truth
I was privileged to visit the Arizona Memorial this April. It was an incredible experience.
Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for posting this. 7 December 1941 is a day that unfortunately, lost significance until 9/11.
"The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance", as the saying goes. 9/11 was the Pearl Harbor of the 21st Century. We ignore that at our own peril.
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