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After 15+ trips to Hawaii, I finally got the nerve to fly to Oahu and visit the Arizona Memorial. Very moving and somber experience for the whole family. Will not be much longer until there are no Pearl Harbor survivors to help out with the tours. Spent about three hours at the memorial and not once did I see either of my kids even look at their cellphone except for photos.
The Arizona Memorial is extremely special. I made 3 attempts to visit it before we actually were able to get there. Twice it was closed and once it was Veteran's Day and I new we had no chance in hell of getting in. We had a 7 hour layover going to Maui so we took a bus from the airport, was able to get on a shuttle to the actual memorial and get back to the airport in time to make the flight.
I will never forget this experience and will make the attempt to get back there again. I have been to Arlington, Kennedy's grave when it was fresh and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Riverside National Cemetery BUT Pearl Harbor is slightly ranked higher than seeing Kennedy's grave before the permanent memorial tomb was built. I will have to find a picture and post it at some later date.
When you see the oil still rising from the hull and popping up on the surface of the water, you get a chill all the way to your bones. This has to be on your bucket list.
Thank you bottom ups for sharing your Hawaii trip with us. The Islands hold a special place in my heart.