For those who've been to the Arizona Memorial...what were your impressions? Is it wortth recommending as a short "side trip" to those visiting Oahu?

It was a deeply affecting experience and I highly recommend it to all Americans.

I can still see the oil coming up to the top of the water from the Arizona and it brings a reality to the watery grave of many.

We loved it--my kids and I. Have been 4 or 5 times. To me, it's a "must do" on nearly every trip to Oahu: a reminder, a lesson. Gratitude. I 've never left the video, or the Memorial, with dry eyes. Tributes-- leis floating in the water above the sunken ship. That part in the movie with the soldiers dancing at the hotel (the Moana?)and the narrator saying something like, "the last night of peace faded away." The kids' friends seeing it for thei frist time always say the same thing: "I didn't realize, 'til I saw it"
History and emotion-- so much better than classroom.

It was a very moving experience. Somber. It IS a must see when visiting Oahu. My Dad and brother both served in the Navy (WWII and Vietnam) and the PearlHarbor Memorial "forces" visitors to think about war. Too easily, we can forget our veterans when the war is over.

To all serving our county now and in the past, I thank you for your service and God Bless you and your families.

mom

Sorry about the typo -

of course it should be "Country"

I would not have missed it for the world. Never forget Pearl Harbor!

CaliNurse, my brother-in-law was at Pearl Harbor that terrible morning on December 7th. He went on to become quite a military hero. He said that Pearl Harbor was the defining moment for him. I have been to the Memorial several times and have always had tears in my eyes. I wish that every American could visit this memorial.

And to any survivors of Pearl Harbor out there, God Bless you!!

Cali,
You are so right that seeing the memorial is a "must do". I had just turned 19 but still remember that January day in 1953 when the destroyer I was on pulled into Pearl Harbor on our way to Korea. It was before the memorial was built, but as we passed the site, "All Hands, Attention To Port" was piped over the announcing system. It was such a proud and emotional moment being able to honor so many fallen fellow sailors. They also received our salute as we left Pearl.

Explain, please, I don't know this event.

Tondalaya,
When a ship enters or departs Pearl Harbor, the crewmembers on deck facing the USS Arizona render honors to the fallen sailors by standing at attention as the ship passes by.

Tondalaya:
As you discern, it's a very touching memorial to the first US casualties of WW2. Here's a link that will give you the information you seek:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps.../18arizona.htm

A really moving day. Then my mom took her grandsons up to the wall and pointed out one name. The name of a boy who was in her study hall in highschool who was killed. She talked to them about how it happened and who he was and what he was like and it was so personal coming through her memory. My sons are now 31 and 28 and they have never forgotten those few minutes. I have a picture of her standing there w/ them.....and now that she is gone its one of my precious possessions!

THANK YOU!!

As an adjunct to the very moving experience of the Arizona Memorial, I would suggest taking a guided tour of the USS Missouri - the battleship upon which MacArthur accepted the formal surrender of the Japanese in Tokyo Bay. The Missouri is moored permanently within sight of the Arizona Memorial.