Warbird Information Exchange

Aloha John,
We have been speaking of the USS Arizona Memorial VISITOR's CENTER. Yes, you have pointed out correctly that the actual Memorial sets above and does not touch the deteriorating USS ARIZONA.

The Visitor's Center was built on the south-east shore line...on reclaimed land...and this reclaimed land is sinking back into the harbor. Thus a NEW Visitor's Center is to be built...hopefully with a pier system and better base to the building.

Personally, I had hoped (in vain it turned out) that the museum portion would be enclosed to keep any exhibits from soaking in the salt air. Sigh!

Cheers,
David Aiken

Thank you David...and John, my mistake for not making myself clearer...I was talking about the visitors center.

No problem...that makes much more sense. It's too bad they didn't do as David had hoped, and planned to make the exhibits more airtight.

John

When I got married in Maui in '05 we planned a trip out to go to the site. My Dad and I got there at 5 am so we could be the first in line. So we waited...

We were on the first boat out and it was incredibly moving. I'm glad we went so early, as I could see the "disneyland" effect building when we left.

When my wife and I went in 2004, there were lots of people there. However, we didn't experience the "Disneyland" atmospere. Everyone was respectful and behaved in a dignified manner. In spite of the fact that people were talking, there was an air of quiet and reverence on the Memorial. You could sense it from the time you stepped off the launch until you stepped back on. I don't really know how to explain it; the only other places I've felt the same feeling were at Arlington and at the Vietnam Memorial in DC. All three places had a special "presence" about them, in spite of the fact that many people were visiting. I feel badly for people who haven't had the same experience, because to me the Arizona Memorial is one of the most hallowed places I've been to.

John

Re: The noise and atmosphere of respect at the site. At the entrance door to the chapel at the Alamo, there is a sign with wording something like this phrase. BE STILL, FOR HEROES DIED HERE. People seem to respect it. One thing about the Arizona I was surprised at was how many Japanese visitors there were there and how much interest. I felt some animosity, but I didn't see any friction. Maybe time heals, or the tourist dollar.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

I visited the Pearl Harbor Memorial the first time in 1970 and thoroughly enjoyed it but I don't remember a Museum. Went again on December 8, 2004. The memorial itself was not crowded but a little noisy. The Museum was another story. Packed with people and noisy but the crowning blow was a group of Japanese teenagers parading through the exhibit area, two abreast, waving Japanese flags and jabbering. They had no interest in the displays. I guess they were celebrating the great Japanese victorious battle. I had hoped to spend some time reading the displays but that was impossible. We left and have no plans to ever return.

For peace and solitude go to the Punchbowl Cemetary.....it's a wonderful place with a fantastic view.

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It's what you learn after you think you know it all, that counts.