Deep within Pearl Harbor lies a poignant reminder of a day that forever changed the course of history. We stand before the USS Arizona Bell War memorial. It serves as a solemn tribute to the lives lost on the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Imagine the morning of December 7 1941. The USS Arizona was one of eight battleships moored in Pearl Harbor. Japanese aircraft rained down from the sky. The USS Arizona was struck by multiple bombs and torpedoes. 1177 of the 1512 crew members on board were killed.
The USS Arizona Memorial was designed by Honolulu architect Alfred Preis. It was dedicated on Memorial Day May 30 1962. The memorial consists of a 184-foot-long white concrete structure. It straddles the sunken USS Arizona. A shrine at one end contains the names of the deceased. The structure sags in the center but stands strong at the ends. It expresses initial defeat and ultimate victory. The overall effect is one of serenity.
The USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii. It attracts more than 2 million visitors each year. The National Park Service maintains the USS Arizona Memorial. It is part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.
The USS Arizona is the final resting place for many of the crew members killed in the attack. Their remains are still entombed in the ship. The USS Arizona Memorial is accessible only by boat. Visitors are taken to the memorial by the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. The visitor center is located on the shores of Pearl Harbor.
The USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center includes exhibits. These exhibits are about the attack on Pearl Harbor. They also cover the USS Arizona. The exhibits detail the history of the United States in World War II.
The attack on Pearl Harbor marked the entry of the United States into World War II. It led to a declaration of war against Japan by the United States. The USS Arizona Memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
The USS Arizona Memorial has undergone several renovations and repairs over the years. These include a major restoration in 2002. There was also a repair project in 2018. This addressed structural issues.
The USS Arizona Memorial is a popular destination for school field trips. It is also used for ceremonies and other events. These include military retirements promotions and changes of command.
The USS Arizona Memorial grew out of a wartime desire. It was to establish a memorial at Pearl Harbor. The goal was to honor those who died in the attack. Suggestions for the memorial began in 1943. The Territory of Hawaii established the Pacific War Memorial Commission in 1949. This was the first real step to bring it about.
Initial recognition came in 1950. Admiral Arthur Radford ordered a flagpole to be erected over the sunken battleship. On the ninth anniversary of the attack a commemorative plaque was placed at the base of the flagpole. President Dwight D Eisenhower approved the creation of the Memorial in 1958. Its construction was completed in 1961. This was done with public funds appropriated by Congress and private donations. The Memorial was dedicated in 1962.
As a special tribute to the ship and her lost crew the United States flag flies from the flagpole. The flagpole is attached to the severed mainmast of the sunken battleship. The USS Arizona Memorial has come to commemorate all military personnel killed in the Pearl Harbor attack.
Today as we stand here let us remember the brave souls. They made the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day. May their memory serve as a constant reminder of the cost of freedom. May it also stand as a testament to the resilience of the American spirit.