on dec 7 1941 my cousin was sleeping with his ship mates on the Arizona today he still sleeps with them I never got to meet him since I was not born till 1943
I am a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer. I have been to the Memorial three times, and if it is God's will, I shall get there again before He takes me home. I always wondered why people would make the effort to visit the Memorial, only to walk around laughing, talking, and otherwise being irreverent and disrespectful. It particularly galled me that so many of them were Japanese tourists. I never went to Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park, but if I did, I wouldn't be skipping around laughing and being boorish. One thousand, one hundred seventy seven men died there; their remains never recovered, lying where they were at that terrible moment. Shipmates that survived the day have returned to be laid to rest with their brothers. I encourage everyone to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, but please, please visit it with respect, reverence and decorum. Gentlemen, remove your hats. Take photos of the ship and the memorial if you will, but not selfies and "We were there" pictures. We owe these men and all who perished in defense of our freedom and our way of life that much, and more.
I had to go to Hawaii on business. I took my wife and young daughter with me. We went to the USS Arizona Memorial. The thing I remember the most was how many older Japanese men and women brought flowers to the memorial and how they bowed in prayer. Quite a moving moment, goosebumps all over.
For those of us that will never be able to visit the Arizona Memorial in person, I would like to Thank You Phyllis, for uploading this virtual History lesson.
I happened to be in Pearl Harbor a week after the 70th anniversary. My wife is an underwater photographer for the national Park service and I met her there, they were diving on the Arizona. I went to the memorial on the last tour of the day and told the pilot of the boat that I would stay behind and go back with the submerged resource unit. After everyone left I was alone on the platform. It went from being very loud to silence. I stood there and gave thanks to all who sacrificed their lives. It was amazing how peaceful and calm it was but I could not shake the feeling of all that was lost that day. May all who lost their lives rest in peace.
This is truly a wonderful memorial. From an American perspective, the war started with the Arizona, but it ended on the deck of the Missouri!! The Mighty Mo now stands guard over the sailors of the Arizona. Really touching, and I am Canadian!
I am French and each time I see films or documentaries on this story, I greatly appreciate the courage of Americans and the fabulous way of always recovering from adversity and this nightmare. This boat is phenomenal, thank you for showing me around this place which is far from my home.
My Great Uncle CMDR BENNET W MARTIN was on the USS ARIZONA.. I never got the chance to meet him but my Great Aunt told me wonderful stories about him and how brave he was....he was in the ship when the ARIZONA got hit...he never made it out...Most men in my family were Navy personnel and my Father, Capt. Kenneth W Martin was on the USS CONSTILLATION and served two years in Viet Nam as Chaplan.....I followed suit and tradition and went in the US NAVY NURSE CORPS as an Ensign and retired a Captain...I proudly served 30 years and served about two years in IRAQ as a TRIAGE/ICU RN....I am one proud vet and I am very proud of my Great Uncle Bennet....I plan to go to Hawaii next spring and will wear my Navy Uniform in honor of my Great Uncle's memory! What a wonderful documentary here...Thank you for posting.. God Bless America!
This was the first year in which no survivor of the Arizona was able to make it to the Dec 7th Pearl Harbour ceremonies. There are still 5 left, but they are at an age where traveling is difficult.
My father would have been at Pearl had his ship not been in the yards in San Francisco. He fought all the way to Japan on destroyers screening carriers. Two Purple Hearts.
I visited the USS Arizona memorial in 1980 as a sailor aboard USS Cleveland LPD-7. My ship came to Pearl Harbor on business. I remember having watch the first day in so I could not go ashore. I was standing on the O-3 level looking at the memorial when one of the tour boats came past. Many of its passengers were waving to me and snapping my picture. As I smiled and waved back to them I could not have been more proud of my being of the same cloth as the fallen heroes of December 7th 1941.
Ive had the pleasure of visiting this memorial twice. Once when i was in the US Navy & a second time as a civillian some 23 years later. To walk across the memorial & to see the remains of the USS Arizona down below & the oily stain on the water's surface is a very humbling experiance & a very sad experiance. To walk to the end of the memorial to see all of the names of my fellow US sailors who selflessly gave their lives in honor & bravery before me, inscribed on the huge marbel wall is yet another sadness in itself. To stand there looking at this wall & pay tribute, honor, respect, & to also render a US Military "Salute" to my fellow warriors on both visits is something i will never forget & is forever inscribed in my memory. God bless ALL my fellow US Military Warriors in ALL branches of the armed services. . . . . .in the years past, present, & in the future. I love each & every one of you💖💖💖. Please remember, "ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL!" Airman Leonard, USN, 1988--1994. . . . .R.I P. BROTHERS!!!
