Over the Arizona, floating in Pearl Harbor, Old Glory flies — brilliant — the Stars & Stripes are powerful in red, white and blue. She’s beautiful and full of life. For those that see this particular flag, you cannot help but understand what she represents. It’s a powerful and an inspiring image. So many have died fighting for her – defending her – proving that freedom is worthy of life itself.
I’ve visited the Arizona twice. Both visits yielded the same observations: young people (those less than 25 or 30) walk around and chatter about what they see and hear. Older than 50, the look is somber, the eyes wide open and the mood is very different. The younger group has no real sense of what occurred at Pearl Harbor – even with the video they see. Anyone over 50 years of age and you notice the tears. Imagine this — it’s been more than sixty years since its occurrence, and the site still affects people very deeply. Their sadness is highly evident as they reflect and ponder what occurred December 7, 1941.
Before you exit the land-side exhibit, a movie about Pearl Harbor is shown. The movie is etched in my mind so clearly (and I’m sure thousands of other people) – the images are so vivid, real and believe it or not, very ‘current.’ Touring the “Remembrance Exhibit” reiterates why: 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians killed, 1,178 wounded. Of those that perished were 1,104 men aboard the Battleship USS Arizona. The men aboard the USS Arizona were killed as a result of a 1,760-pound air bomb that penetrated the ship’s forward magazine.
I respect the flag of the United States of America … Old Glory.
Forever may she wave. 
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February 17, 2008 at 8:15 pm
lesley clack
You are so right about visitors’ reactions at Pearl Harbor–young people don’t get it, even living thru 9/11. My dad was in the Pacific Theatre in WWII, and believe me, we understood in our house what it was like–he was a fine, fine man, a dedicated Marine, who loved his country. We try to keep that going thru our son, who is 21, and though he is too young to completely understand Pearl, I think that having his dearly beloved grandfather be part of it has made a difference in his life (my dad was his hero). I was there last summer for the very first time, and now we are going back this August. Is it possible to be in love with islands??? If so, I’m a hopeless case! I’ve only been to Oahu, but this time will include Maui and Kauai…can’t wait. Anyway, mahalo for your beautiful photos and great commentary…I was looking up Tantalus, which led me to your blog. Have a good day!