After the tours

[O'Dell]

I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't aware of this.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/MgE2KiP...yer_detailpage

[getsome]

I saw this a while ago on a National Geographic special on TV....The show was about the Navy divers and their ongoing job of looking after the ship mainly to monitor the fuel oil still leaking from the hull to be sure it doesn't get worse and upset the EPA....They mentioned that the forward gun turret was discovered during one of the inspection dives still attached to the ship...The number two turret was removed during the salvage operation after the attack and moved to a land based location on the island but never fired and was later removed and scrapped....The big round base of the number two turret is what you see when looking off the side of the Memorial....

For a long time they didn't know the forward turret was still there thinking it was also removed but apparently it was too hard to get to or too badly damaged to salvage under 25 feet of water....The diver had a camera on his helment showing the underwater portion of the deck and hull and since the water is very murky you couldn't see much until out of the dark gloomy silt looms the giant 16 inch guns which they have to get right up to in order to see...Very spooky but way cool....

I was lucky enough to get to go on the memorial when I was 14 years old and I will never forget the feeling of being there and seeing that great ship and all those names....They hadn't started the internment program at that time but I think it's awesome the Navy is doing this for the Veterans who served on the USS Arizona that day and that they can now return to be with their lost shipmates for all time....Thanks for that post O'Dell

[downtownv]

I had also seen this on The Military Channel, I Think. Also did you know that the USS Arizona, to this day leaks droplets of fuel oil at a very slow pace?
They call these the fallen sailors tears....

[jocko]

I read that also.sounds logical and also sounds folklorish to. eitherway a solemn eventto be at.

[wyntrout]

I saw the oil coming to the surface when I was there in the early 80's. Thanks for the post O'Dell. Taps at a ceremony always chokes me up. I got to Hawaii a couple of times on B-52's... once ferrying one to and another back from Guam and another time we just went there to display a BUFF for their airshow.

It was kind of weird that the plane we took to Guam was later towed into a fuel pit, breaking the airframe and destroying it... and the one we brought back had an oxygen fire in the EW station and destroyed that airframe. At least we had no problems inflight!

Wynn

[O'Dell]

I saw the oil coming to the surface when I was there in the early 80's. Thanks for the post O'Dell. Taps at a ceremony always chokes me up. I got to Hawaii a couple of times on B-52's... once ferrying one to and another back from Guam and another time we just went there to display a BUFF for their airshow.

It was kind of weird that the plane we took to Guam was later towed into a fuel pit, breaking the airframe and destroying it... and the one we brought back had an oxygen fire in the EW station and destroyed that airframe. At least we had no problems inflight!

Wynn

I've only been to Hawaii once, and that was in 1969 on the way back from SE Asia. My fighter squadron was rated the top squadron on the boat, and the Skipper let us fly off and land at Hickam for a three day reward in paradise. Then we took off and caught up with the boat 1000 miles to the east. I took one trip to the Memorial while I was there. Unfortunately, I couldn't squeeze the plane captain and crew into my F-4.

[CharlieW]

Thanks for sharing this video.

The Arizona Memorial is a very solemn and touching place. We visited it last year when on vacation in Hawaii. I had been there before when I was a kid, the first year it was open, and it was also sobering to realize that it had been 50 years from my first visit. It has always been a part of our family lore -- my aunt was there on Oahu on December 7, 1941, and my parents met in Hawaii shortly after WWII.

The museum exhibits that they have today add a lot to the historical aspect, and the battleship Missouri is moored nearby. I would recommend it to anyone who has the chance to get to Hawaii.

[Bawanna]

The Missouri was tied up here in Bremerton for many years. I was on it numerous times when they had tours when I was a kid. I loved that boat. I was so ticked when they recommissioned it and then moved it to Hawaii. I suppose it's best for it and the Navy and I got over it after a few years but I still miss it.

I've never been to Hawaii but if I went the memorial would be my first stop. My wife has been there several times and hasn't visited it yet. Shame on her.

[hardluk1]

Watched this for the first time this morning. Tearfull moment for sure. Thanks for posting.

[xsailer]

A nice touching video, thanks.

I also visited the Missouri in when it was in mothballs. No one was taking care of the ship as we walked all over it. We were able to climb the exterior ladders to the apparent gun turrets and crew viewing balconies but no access to the inside. We were the only people on the ship as it was lined up among numerous other smaller vessels all mothballed. It was a most awesome experience to be on it. It was a little deserting no one was watching it but then what could our family do to it that the enemy didn't? One thing that stands out in memory is the main deck covered in Teak wood from bow to stern and in prefect condition. It was re-commissioned a few years later.

[Bawanna]

I remember that teak deck as well. There was limited interior entry when I was on it. Couple areas I think on the main deck area where we could go inside.

It was in perfect shape at that time. Hard to believe that deck held up so well.

[xsailer]

One other memory grabber Bawanna. That was an impressive alk along the gunnels borm bow to stern. If you drew a straight line from Bow to Stern and a perpendicular line from it down to amidships (deck closest to the water line) how much it would be? Standing there and looking forward is like standing on a Nascar track, #1 corner at Daytona.

[downtownv]

If you get to Philly, on the Jersey side the USS New Jersey is open for tours
I believe it is the same class as BIG MO....

[O'Dell]

If you get to Philly, on the Jersey side the USS New Jersey is open for tours
I believe it is the same class as BIG MO....

Yep, the Iowa class was the Iowa, New Jersey, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

[Bawanna]

Might be the same boat but ain't nothing in the same class as the Big Mo!