December 7th: Pearl Harbor Day

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Today in history the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and it is a day many of us will never forget even if we weren't alive then. I know I will never forget Pearl Harbor.... I lived in Hawaii for several years and my first visit to the Arizona Memorial was with a local girl scout troop that my friend was in charge of. She asked if I would go with them to the Arizona and I agreed. On the boat that takes you out to the Arizona I tried to explain to the girls that this was like visiting a cemetery but it is an underwater grave. They seemed to understand. I told them they had to be very quiet and show respect. But when we walked on the Arizona the feelings that overtook me were amazing. To see the name of those lost, to see oil coming up from the ship after so many years and to see the faces of the visitors ... with tears streaming down their faces was surreal. On that hot summer day I felt chills running up and down my body. I don't think I stopped crying until we were back in the van heading back home. The girls were like angels that day, they were perfectly well behaved. We received many compliments about them from other visitors. That was my first but not my last visit to the Arizona. Each visit was the same, tears, quiet and sadness. If you visit Hawaii please be sure to go to the Arizona Memorial. It will touch your heart.