I had been to Pearl Harbor before, visiting the USS Missouri, the Bowfin, and so on. But the USS Arizona was closed for repairs. I’m pleased that I have another chance to visit again and see the Arizona (https://www.nps.gov/perl/index.htm).

I’m not sure why but it seems a little disturbing to be on the memorial looking down on the submerged ship. I don’t suppose it’s actually any different than going to a cemetery but it feels different to me. But a volunteer there talked about how, when the Japanese hit the Arizona that morning, they hit the munitions storage. The heat was more than 8000 degrees, and, basically, the US Navy men aboard were instantly cremated.

As the Navy-operated boat pushed off from the Visitor Center, like thousands before me, I tried to picture that morning, the hundreds of ships and boats in their berths. Today, you only see the Arizona memorial, “Big Mo,” and concrete markers where the ships were moored that morning.

After we cross to the memorial, I was pleased that people were quiet and respectful. There always seems to be one in a group—but not this group.

The Memorial itself is designed to symbolize the period of peace before the December attack with an upswept edge to the roof, a dip in the roof symbolizing the War, and the upsweep again symbolizing victory.

The tours allow people about 10 minutes on the Memorial. The inside of the Memorial includes a shrine wall of all those killed in the attack. Also included are the names of about 45 survivors who chose to be buried many years later with their shipmates. The last survivor died about 6 months ago.

After visiting the Arizona, I walked over to the Restaurant 604 and had lunch (https://www.restaurant604.com/). While waiting for a table, I treated myself to a piña colada; it was sweet and good. After I was seated, I had a nice view of a dock area. I enjoyed the Grilled Ahi Club—the ahi was perfectly seasoned.