Pearl Harbour

The Lone Sailor

We arrived back in Honolulu early this morning disembarked the ship, dropped off the luggage and we were off to Pearl Harbour.  We felt that to be so close and not go would just not be the thing.  So we went and visited all the free offerings that were available here.  I was not interested in the submarine that you could walk on!

Pearl Harbour, while hot and sunny, is also a very peaceful place despite the hordes of people.  You were constantly reminded that this is a memorial and to be respectful. 

The memorial is a beautiful tribute to the horrors this place experienced December 7, 1941.  

The Memorial Park begins with the Lone Sailor as the greeter.  The plaque gave the following description.

"The Lone Sailor signifies the men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the Navy. He’s called the Lone Sailor, yet he is hardly ever alone. He is about 25 years old, a senior second class petty officer who is fast becoming a seagoing veteran. He has done it all -- fired weapons in war, provided humanitarian assistance in far-away lands, been attacked by the enemy, and defended our freedom. He has made liberty calls in great cities and tiny villages where he was a tourist, ambassador, adventurer, friend, and missionary to those less fortunate. His shipmates remember him with pride and look up to him with respect"

 As we meandered around we found many monuments that told the stories of ships and submarines and the bravery of the sailors.

As you walked along this water front memorial there were many stories of the submarine sailors and their many missions. 

The Bowman submarine in the background

of the waterfront memorial to the submarine missions and their sailors.

Partial view of the Harbour

There are a number of these "platforms" all named and numbered with the ship that was moored there during the attack

Partially submerged bits of the Arizona can still be seen.  The watery grave for over 1000 sailors.  A special bomb made to penetrate her armour hit in the armory where all of her ammunition was stored.  The explosion sent her 30 feet into to air, her sailors on board had no chance of survival.   She burned at 8000 degrees over three days.  These bits protrude the water and have a beautiful monument built around her

The wall of names of all the sailors lost with the Arizona.  A somber place to stand knowing that just underneath they are entombed in the remnants of the ship.

All I know as I stand here today is that there are no winners in war and the human cost is far too high.  This only tells part of the story.  There is also the cost to locals,  civilians and communities.  History is our great teacher but somehow we never seem to grasp some of those lessons.