Day Three--Pearl Harbor (On the memorial)

The boat in the background took us to the memorial. In the foregeround is one of the gun turrets on the Arizona that sticks up above the water.

The names of those who died on the Arizona. Also there is a list of names of survivors who have chosen to have their bodies placed in the Arizona upon death, to be buried with their brothers.

Oil is still bubbling up from the boat, seen in lower left corner of this photo.

More oil, or "Tears of the Arizona"

Before getting on the boat to go to the memorial, we were ushered into a theater and watched a 20 minute film about the attack, which included actual footage. Then, the doors opened up and we boarded a boat for the memorial. We were allowed to spend about 10 minutes on the memorial. You know what was absolutely amazing? There is still oil coming out of the U.S.S. Arizona, bubbling up to the water's surface. I had heard this before, but didn't believe it until I saw it happening in person. They call it "tears of the Arizona."

Mr. Reinle was one of my best high school teachers and as I stood there I could hear him saying "a date that will live in infamy." I really had no idea what he was talking about back then when I was 15. But, 13 years later, having seen an attack on America myself, the significance was hard to miss. I felt really thankful for the opportunity to see it.