It was just a few weeks ago that I visited Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii and stood at the USS Arizona Memorial. Near me were several Japanese tourists being led by a Japanese tour guide. It was interesting and ironic to see these mostly elderly tourists from Japan at this Memorial. I am certain that all were living in Japan 66 years ago, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the United States. Overall, 2,388 Americans died in the attacks that day including about 900 that remain entombed in the USS Arizona.

I wondered what these tourists thought of the Memorial, their view of the experience and how they looked a these significant historical events. As Americans, we look at Pearl Harbor as one of the great defining moments in history – that is world history just not US history.

From the Naval Historical Center website,

"Within a short time five of eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking, with the rest damaged. Several other ships and most Hawaii-based combat planes were also knocked out and over 2400 Americans were dead. Soon after, Japanese planes eliminated much of the American air force in the Philippines, and a Japanese Army was ashore in Malaya."

The sneak attack was a major initial success for Japan and its desperate attempt to be recognized on the world’s stage. The United States was caught off guard and unprepared. Its Pacific fleet was substantially disabled. The attack was a wake-up call to US leadership and Americans that were previously divided regarding entering the war in Europe. The attack transformed the “division” of America into a level of purposeful unity that was unprecedented in US history.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his speech to both houses of Congress the day after the attack, initiated this unification and the remembrance of this day in history. Said he,

“But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”

In peace and in times of war, it is important for us as Americans to remember those that have sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom. We also must remember that how our united purpose and resolve brought an end to the aggression and atrocities perpetrated by the axis powers of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan.

The survivors of Pearl Harbor are dwindling. Only a few dozen Pearl Harbor survivors attended ceremonies held at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu. According to the Associated Press,

“Hawaii Air National Guard helicopters flew over the harbor in "missing man" formation in honor of those lost. B-2 stealth bombers currently deployed to Guam from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri performed an additional flyby. The crowd of about 2,000 honored the survivors with a standing ovation and several minutes of loud applause.”

Renovations and additions to the Memorial are being planned.

“The existing visitor's center, across the harbor from the Arizona memorial itself, houses a museum and theaters where the public can learn about the attack. Visitors must stop at the center to board ferries to the memorial. But the land underneath is sinking, creating the need for a new facility on more stable ground. Space also is a concern — the center sees an estimated 1.5 million visitors a year, far more than what memorial operators expected when the current building opened in 1980.”

I am glad to know that visitors exceeded expectations and that plans to expand this great piece of history are underway. You can help build this Memorial through your donations to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund.