Tomorrow is Dec 7th

[Hawiian2]

Tomorrow is Dec 7th, Pearl Harbor day.
I had always known the date from the history books and in my visits out to Hawaii, I have been out at the memorial 3 times. It is a really moving place.
Its hard to describe the memorial to anyone who hasn't seen it in person.
I think most are surprised to learn that the Arizona is still right there where it sank.
You look right onto the decks and realize the 1177 men are still in there.
Along with the remains of the survivors who wished their ashes to be put
alongside their shipmates after they passed.

New, modernized Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial visitor center opening Dec. 7 by Derek Paiva | HAWAII Magazine | Hawaii news, events, places, dining, travel tips & deals, photos | Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai: The Best of Hawaii


Pearl Harbor Survivors Project

 

[Dr.Distortion]

I've been there... It's a place that gets under your skin... Very hard to not be affected by it...

 

[djwilbanks]

Never been, but it's on my list.

Until the sea gives up her dead, gentlemen.

 

[mudfinger]

I was totally unprepared for that experience when I stepped off the ferry.

As you said, it occurs to you at some point while you're standing on the memorial that over a thousand men are entombed beneath you.

I cried. In fact, I think everyone did. It was quiet enough to hear the breeze flowing thru the structure, and there's no way to describe how it feels to be surrounded by so many names, knowing that each of them died on that day.

Every few seconds, a small drop of oil bubbles to the surface, as if the Arizona herself is slowly giving up to the force of the sea and time.

It's one of those places that every American should visit at least once.

 

[Ed B]

It's on my list as well. A few people I talked to about their experiences were just like Mud described. Not a dry eye in sight.

 

[trguitar]

even tho im not from us i would love to go, pay my respects.
been to autzwich and its really eerie and quite upsetting

 

[FrankieOliver]

Yes, it is. It is my father's birthday. He was born on the morning of December 7, 1941.

 

[Howard2k]

Without doubt one of the major turning points of the century.

 

[PapaSquash]

It was the oil seepage that did it to me. Somehow the ship seemed much more alive and the event more real when I saw the rainbow colors of the tiny oil slicks. When I reflected on how those bunkers were filled in peacetime it was very moving. Even my very small children, who are pretty loud, were immediately subdued and respectful.

 

[trguitar]

just read the article on the new memorial. It is a great salute to all who lost their lives that day.

 

[LtDave32]

My grandfather (my father and grandfather fought in the same war) was an NCO aboard the USS California the morning of the attack. During the attack, my grandfather lowered a lifeboat into the water and began pulling sailors out of the oil slicks and fires on top of the water. He managed to get 32 men in his boat. During the second air attack that morning, helped crew a cannon on deck and was in part responsible for shooting down 2 of the 29 enemy aircraft shot down that day. For his actions, he was awarded the Navy Cross and a battlefield commission.

 

[BillB1960]

I was totally unprepared for that experience when I stepped off the ferry.

As you said, it occurs to you at some point while you're standing on the memorial that over a thousand men are entombed beneath you.

I cried. In fact, I think everyone did. It was quiet enough to hear the breeze flowing thru the structure, and there's no way to describe how it feels to be surrounded by so many names, knowing that each of them died on that day.

Every few seconds, a small drop of oil bubbles to the surface, as if the Arizona herself is slowly giving up to the force of the sea and time.

It's one of those places that every American should visit at least once.

I had the same reaction. I really hadn't thought much about how I was going to feel and had concentrated on getting parked and through the lines, etc. Then after stepping off the ferry onto the actual monument it really hit me. Very moving experience.

Strangely enough I went there a 2nd time a few years later and while it was a solemn experience since I knew what to expect it wasn't as intense as the first time.

 

[trguitar]

My grandfather (my father and grandfather fought in the same war) was an NCO aboard the USS California the morning of the attack. During the attack, my grandfather lowered a lifeboat into the water and began pulling sailors out of the oil slicks and fires on top of the water. He managed to get 32 men in his boat. During the second air attack that morning, helped crew a cannon on deck and was in part responsible for shooting down 2 of the 29 enemy aircraft shot down that day. For his actions, he was awarded the Navy Cross and a battlefield commission.

What a man! I bet you and your family are proud as hell of him!

 

[tazzboy]

69 years ago tomorrow.

 

[Louie]

Yes, it is. It is my father's birthday. He was born on the morning of December 7, 1941.

My dad's too, he was born on Dec. 7, 1946.

The Arizona Memorial is on my to-do list for my next year's trip to Hawaii.

 

[coldsteal2]

Ive been there, it is an amazing place
i still have a USS Arizona Navy ball cap i got from there
i wear now and then.

 

[Hawiian2]

Just as a side bar here.
Anyone who is planning a visit out to the Hawaiian Islands and would like a few tips/pointers can PM me when ever they like.
I never get tired of talking about those Islands. I have left my wife instructions to have my ashes scattered over the waters off Waikiki

 

[PraXis]

I visited the memorial this summer and had to try my hardest not to kick the shit out of Japanese tourists who were walking around all smiling and laughing.

 

[zplapplap]

^ It's not like the Japanese didn't pay.

December 7th is a day I always take note of. I surely will tomorrow. I've been to Hawaii, but I have not been to the memorial. . .yet.

 

[BMS]

...and me and my wife's 17th anniversary.