The USS Arizona is the final resting place for many of the ship's 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The 184-foot-long Memorial structure spans the mid-portion of the sunken battleship and consists of three main sections: the entry room; the assembly room, a central area designed for ceremonies and general observation; and the shrine room, where the names of those killed on the Arizona are engraved on the marble wall. Servicemen that have since passed and was on the USS Arizona have the option to be buried with their brothers in arms. There are two areas with names of those that have since passed. The wall with the names is approximately 50 feet wide and probably just as tall. It gave me goosebumps to see the names of those that perished.
To learn more about the history and culture go HERE.
The “Punchbowl” was formed some 75,000 to 100,000 years ago during the Honolulu period of secondary volcanic activity. A crater resulted from the ejection of hot lava through cracks in the old coral reefs which, at the time, extended to the foot of the Koolau Mountain Range.
Although there are various translations of the Punchbowl’s Hawaiian name, “Puowaina,” the most common is “Hill of Sacrifice.” This translation closely relates to the history of the crater. The first known use was as an altar where Hawaiians offered human sacrifices to pagan gods and the killed violators of the many taboos. Later, during the reign of Kamehameha the Great, a battery of two cannons was mounted at the rim of the crater to salute distinguished arrivals and signify important occasions. Early in the 1880s, leasehold land on the slopes of the Punchbowl opened for settlement and in the 1930s, the crater was used as a rifle range for the Hawaii National Guard. Toward the end of World War II, tunnels were dug through the rim of the crater for the placement of shore batteries to guard Honolulu Harbor and the south edge of Pearl Harbor.
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You really can see for formation and how it got it's name.
Kay
3 comments:
Kay, Really enjoyed seeing these pictures, you're an awesome photographer. Enjoyed the history about what you were seeing. I've never been to the Memorial (although my DH has.) I THINK I want to see it, but I'm not sure I would not get too emotional at seeing it. We did the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington, and I had to just walk through it, not looking. And that was hard enough, realizing the sacrifices it represented. I'm so proud that our country has made this fitting memorial to those servicemen who lost their lives on December 7, in defense of our country. It would be fitting if more people remembered and respected it! Good for you that you got to be there, realize what it meant, and share it with those of us who have not been there. That was one magnificent sunset too. Hugs
Your photos are amazing! It looks like your cruise was a hit. I am a bit fearful of all that water so don't think I will ever cruise anywhere! We have snow this morning. Brrr and 26 degrees!
Hi Kay, what an interesting post and great photos, too. My Mom and sister took that cruise together, years ago . . . it made great memories for them to share. War is so sad . . . so many families lost love ones that day . . . we need to remember those we lost and hold up those men and women today, that are enlisted and defending our freedom.
Thanks for sharing.
Connie :)
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