No trip to Hawaii is complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor. The image of the USS Arizona and the USS Missouri depict the beginning and the end of World War II.
The battleship Arizona lies, as a memorial, where she sunk on December 7, 1941 and the United States was thrust into World War II. Over 1100 of her 1400 man crew were killed instantly when a bomb penetrated the deck and exploded in the ship’s ammunition magazine. We were not able to get on to the memorial due to the fact that the gangway has become structurally unsafe and is currently under repair.
The battleship Missouri sits proudly in the former “Battleship Row” as the ship where the articles of surrender were signed by the Japanese that ended the war in the Pacific. The ship traveled to Tokyo Bay for the surrender ceremony. The Missouri was still in service into the early 90’s before she was brought to Pear Harbor and retired from active duty.
The statue and quote of Admiral Chester A. Nimitz sums up the total experience of what has become known as “The Greatest Generation”. They were the children of the depression. They did not ask for war, but they did not shrink from the challenge. More than any generation before or since, they saved this world from the tyranny. Imperial Japan had plans to dominate the Pacific while Hitler and Nazi Germany would rule the world if it were not for this generation of Americans and their allies. They showed us that freedom is never free, and it must be defended at all costs. Our nation owes this generation a debt of gratitude that it can never repay. Sadly, most of these brave souls have passed on, and in a few more years they will all be gone from this life.
The visit to Pearl Harbor was an emotional and inspiring day. There are several buildings that have artifacts and video presentations that give an insight into what happened on that day. If you go to Hawaii, do not pass up the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor. Adjacent to the harbor is the Pacific Air Museum. We did not get to visit that building and I will always wish that we had more time.
Aloha!
Driller's Place 
Great pictures and a bunch of great facts. I enjoyed this post. Thanks. Have a great week end.
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I just wish we had a little more time to visit more of the area.
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The USS Arizona was a very emotional place for me. So somber and sad.
My brother was part of the crew that served on the USS Missouri when it was reactivated during the Reagan era and I got to go see the rechristening of the ship in San Francisco.
I had never thought of the Missouri and Arizona representing the start and the end of WWII. Great insight!
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Our guide said the we could get a photo of the “book ends” of WWII on the shuttle out to the memorial. That’s when it dawned on me that these two ships represented the start and finish of the war.
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Hubby and I have been to both of those places too. Such awe-inspiring places.
I love your famous kiss recreation.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
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That was one of our more light-hearted moments from the day.
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Nice post and photos interesting and your kiss interpretation made me smile 🙂
Have a facttastic weekend 🙂
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The kiss was a bonus.
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Looking down the business end of those big guns is amazing! Wonderful post.
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They were truly impressive.
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A place to leave your heart full.
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Indeed a place to fill the heart with pride and appreciation for those who served in WWII.
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Before I was born…but not much…
Now I’m pretty sure I’ll never get to Pearl Harbor, so thank you for these photos.
Kay
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
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It was the trip of a lifetime and I doubt if I will ever have the opportunity to return.
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We owe so much to those who served in wars so the rest of us could remain free. Your photos and tribute are wonderful and I love the cute recreation of the statute pose at the end.
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There is a reason that the children of the depression have been called “The Greatest Generation” and this memorial brings it into clear focus.
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Oh I would love to see that in person one day!
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It is an impressive and inspiring exhibit.
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Hello, what a wonderful post. I have been to the Pearl Harbor memorial. It is a sad place. Enjoy your day and weekend!
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There is indeed a somber aire to the exhibits but there is also inspiration to be found in the response of this nation to the events that plunged us into WWII.
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