Pearl Harbor

More than anything else in Hawaii, I wanted to be ready for going to Pearl Harbor. “Ready” as in, I spent the last six weeks reading books, researching, watching documentaries and old movies about World War 2 and America’s entry into the global war. I’ve always enjoyed history (though not always the war aspect), and I wanted to get as much out of it as I could.

Radar Equipment

As it turns out, it wasn’t really what I was expecting. Maybe watching all the movies and documentaries somehow convinced my mind that it would be like it was back then. (My little brother must have had the same exceptions as me, because he was freaking out wondering what he was supposed to do when we got attacked. We had to reassure him that it wasn’t going to happen.)

Model of the sunken USS Arizona, with the monument overtop of it.

I felt as if we were rushed most of the time. I’m not sure if it’s just the writer in me, but I wanted to stand over the USS Arizona with my eyes closed and see what the men would have seen back then. (Even though the guys on the USS Arizona never really got to see anything because they were killed instantly.)

We went to the monument in a boat.

There are around 900 men still entombed within the walls of the USS Arizona. When they tried to open up the ship so the men could be buried, there were explosions from the oil, so they had to abandoned the plan.

Part of the USS Arizona with oil still leaking out

Oil still bubbles up each day. If the oil continues coming up at this rate, I think they said it would take around fifty years for it to all surface. People throw flowers into the water, if you look carefully, you can see the petals.

More of the USS Arizona

About a half an hour before Pearl Harbor was attacked, the Japanese ambassador was supposed to let America know that Japan was declaring war on them. Only, the ambassador took too long to decode the message, and so he didn’t end up declaring war until 55 minutes after the attack began. Therefore, America was attacked without warning and when we were supposedly negotiating peace agreements with Japan.

The attack helped rally Americans and the words “Remember Pearl Harbor!” became well-known.

The names of the men who died

If you haven’t studied WW2 a lot, I strongly suggest that you do. It’s an amazing trove of history. I’m so thankful for the people who have given their lives for our country.

Other boats were also sunk also, just none of them as badly as the USS Arizona

It was an awing experience being in the same waters that the attack took place in. The park rangers there told us to remember that it was a solemn area and to be very respectful. Pictures were allowed to be taken, but no goofing off or silly pictures. No loud talking. No jokes. We were supposed to be quiet and really think about the magnitude of what had happened.

I’m not sure how long we were on the monument (over the USS Arizona) for, but I don’t think I said a single word the whole time. I just looked, took pictures, and thought. At one point in time I closed my eyes for a few minutes and just pictured everything that had happened. A plane (or helicopter?) flew overhead as my eyes were closed, and that just added to the whole feeling.

Punch Bowl Cemetery

After Pearl Harbor, we went to the cemetery where a lot of military people are buried. As strange as it may sound, it was a very beautiful place.

Since I’m going to be going to Pearl Harbor next month (we’re leaving in eleven days!), I’ve been studying all I can about WW2 and also Hawaiian history. I’ve always been really interested in history (especially WW2 history), but haven’t spent very much time studying it this past year. Boy has it been fun being back in the ‘history groove’ again recently!

During the past three days I watched a eight-part, seven hour documentary that was actually made around the end (but before it was over) of WW2. It was really interesting seeing what the perspective was back then.

It’s been fun just totally immersing myself in what life was like back then. It’s been pretty good for me, too, because I haven’t been feeling well and watching real footage from a war helps me from feeling sorry for myself! I am so thankful for everyone who has fought for our freedom! I feel especially blessed to personally know some WW2 veterans. What they did for our country (and our world) is beyond compare.

I’ve also watched five different WW2 movies, including The Battle of the Bulge and Sands of Iwo Jima. Plus, I’ve read a couple of books, including The Zoo Keeper’s Wife, and A Boy At War. I have four or five more books to read, too.

I found one book on Hawaii’s history, The Last Aloha. That was really interesting! I had read a couple of little snippets before of how Hawaii became part of the USA, but it was really eye opening reading a whole book about it. I’d be delighted if any of you knew of more Hawaiian historical books I could read! (Fiction and non-fiction, both.)