Remember Pearl Harbor

[TrainTrac]

65 years and a little over one hour ago, the attack began. Take a moment to remember those killed in that terrible attack. Rest In Peace, Shipmates.



See the link below for a wealth of information on the Pearl Harbor attack.

 

[Tom Schindler]

Many people have forgotten about what happened today, 65 years ago.





Tom

 

[Thomas Rogers]

The first, major "sucker punch" against the USA. Regrettably, it wasn't the last.

 

[Fred]

I went to Pearl Harbor in 2003. Seeing the Arizona right under the surface of the water was very, very sobering. There were some survivors there at the memorial when I was there. I shook their hands, but felt like giving them the key to my house.

 

[CHRIS DAVIS 2]

I grieve for the lost of the sailors that was thier that day. It was the first sucker punch that we recieved but sadly like TJR said it was not the last. I am a United States Soldier and I SALUTE the soldiers that we lost their and every where else that our beautiful country is at war at.

 

[TrainTrac]

I visited Pearl Harbor in 1989 and again in 1999. The first time was when my first ship, the USS Dixon pulled in for liberty. To this day, every U.S. Navy ship pulling into Pearl conducts a "Man the Rails" evolution and makes one trip around Ford Island, rendering honors to port to the Arizona as they pass by. There was a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes while I saluted my fallen shipmates entombed on the Arizona. That was an incredible experience.



The second time in 1999 was when my wife and I went to HI on an anniversary trip. I took her out to the memorial to pay our respects. It was just a powerfully moving experience the second time. It was a little different, though, now that the USS Missouri is berthed aft of the Arizona as a museum. The symbols of both the beginning and the end of WWII for America right next to each other... quite a sight.

 

[Richard L]

On December 9th 1963 I sailed into Pearl Harbor on the USS Gen. W.A. Man, bound for Okinawa. We docked right across the harbor from the Arizona Memorial.



I spent about 2 hours on the dock talking to an old Hawaiian man selling ice cream. He told me and a couple of my friends all about the attack that he witnessed. He explained in great detail how the Japanese flew along a mountain valley along the western side of the island to avoid any possible detection and just popped over the mountains when the got to Pearl Harbor and began the air stike.



I am still facinated by what happened at Pearl Harbor and enjoy movies like Tora Tora Tora, and From Here to Eternity, etc.



...Rich

 

[Thomas Rogers]

The thing that got me, and it's a little thing but a strange thing, was standing above the Arizona and watching a little droplet of fuel rise to the surface of the otherwise rather clean harbor water. Drip,.....a few seconds later...drip. And at that time, it had been doing it for about 40 years.

 

[EddieS'04]

As a vetran of 'Nam. I salute all that served and gave all. Many blessings to their families and the survivors. I hope to someday visit the memorial..

 

[TrainTrac]

TJR,



It's still leaking fuel. As a matter of fact, divers periodically check the material condition of the hull to monitor the rate of seepage. They're going to have to do something in the not too distant future, because the ship's continuing to deteriorate. But, it's a delicate matter since it's also a tomb for over 1000 Sailors.



If you go to web sites such as Google Earth or local.live.com and look at satellite photos of Pearl Harbor, you can see the slick on the water.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Yeah, TT, that's one of the first things I did with GoogleEarth...check if the slick was still there. Over 20 years later, still dripping.

 

[Fred]

They spoke of the deterioration Arizona this evening on ABC News. They said that they are considering running electrical current through the ship to halt, or slow (I can't remember) the rusting/rotting. They said that if they don't do something, it could collapse into a pile of rubble. They also said that there is an estimated half million gallons of fuel still in it.

 

[peter barone03]

Each drop to me symbolizes a tearshed for those who gave their all.

 

[JohnnyB]

I stopped, years ago, to buy one of those red poppy flowers from a veteran. This pretty old guy was sitting in a chair and was almost as tall as I am (6'), he must have been somewhere between 6'7" - 6'10". I stood there asking him where he served and what part of the military he served in.



Turns out he was in Pearl Harbor during the attack. We only talked for a few minutes but it was amazing, something I will never forget. I can still see his face and his huge hands as he handed me the poppy flower and took my dollar. He said he lost a lot of good friends that day.



Always remember.

God Bless America.