December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. Many people know of the battleship USS Arizona memorial. The memorial itself rests astride the underwater hulk of the once mighty ship of that name that was sunk during the attack on that long past morning.
But
not as many people know that part of the ship was removed in the early 1960s and stored on dry
ground not far away. I don't know why this was done, but over the
years, sections were cut out and sent as artifacts for other memorials
around the country. Whether this is wise I am not in a position to say.
But the MorningPaper has a story about one USS Arizona survivor who has returned to rest his weathered hands on this section of rusting steel. The section represents a tangible symbol of that time. Something solid. Something that survivors can too place their hands on and remember the 900 men that are even now entombed below the harbor's green and murky waters.
On this day, please remember, honor, and thank the members of what is described as the "Greatest Generation" for their days are fast coming to a close.
Aloha!
