While on honeymoon, we both wanted to make a stop at Pearl Harbor, so we planned for an extended layover in Oahu.

For anyone who hasn't been, I strongly suggest it. It's something that I came to knowing the significance of, but you could see a lot of people who went there knowing the name and thinking it was just something you 'had to see' and walking away speechless with their mouths open and eyes watering.

A truly worthwhile experience.


So for those who don't know, there are 4 main memorials there, with a few others there as well. There is one more memorial on the other side of Ford Island (The USS Nevada if I recall right) that we were told about by a Navy man who we were talking to for a few. He said that not many see it since it's on the other side of the island and you have to walk to it unless you have a military pass and a car. We didn't have time unfortunately, but it's something we'll see the next time we come after they finish rebuilding the Arizona memorial which we donated to.

The first memorial you see is the USS Bowfin memorial.

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There's also a few scattered things around this area you can see. I took many photos, but you can't post many per post, so I'll keep it brief.

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Next up is the Pacific Aviation Museum. We didn't actually go to this, but the shuttle bus went next to it, so I snapped a couple photos.

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Also there is the USS Oklahoma, a lesser seen memorial because people rarely leave the fenced enclosure of the USS Missouri Memorial.

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Next up will be the USS Missouri Memorial in a following post.
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We also did a tour of the USS Missouri. This is a paid tour, and I believe the proceeds go to restoring the ship. Which if you've seen the ship, you'll know it needs the money. It's in pretty sad shape, but it was still incredibly worthwhile to see this amazing piece of history.

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This next picture is the location of where the Japanese signed the surrender documents on the Missouri's deck, ending WWII

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The thing we did first, but I saved for last, was the USS Arizona Memorial. This was a very moving tour that is free to the public on a first come first serve basis. They show you a small movie, then shuttle you by boat out to the memorial. The groups are about 150 in size, and the tour happens every 30 minutes.


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I really wished I had had a UWA lens for this shot, as the room was very impressive but needed that wide angle. I waited until everyone in my tour had left the room and got a shot of it empty. I also said a small prayer here. The number of names on that wall is just an intimidating dosage of reality as to the piece of history you are standing upon.

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A must see while on Oahu IMO. Thanks for sharing. :-)
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Very nice photos. I have been there and it is definatly a place everyone should see atleast once in their life.

I was there about 12 years ago and there was actualy a vet on the tour with us who was taking his grand kids there to show him where he had served. It was very touching.
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These are a few of the things we picked up while there.

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On the left is a reproduction newspaper. On the right is an aerial photo taken of the USS Arizona Memorial. The newspaper on the bottom was given because we donated to the Arizona's museum building restoration fund.

The cotton flag was flown above the USS Arizona Memorial on my birthday this year. (4th of July) The pin on the left was given because we donated to the fundraiser of rebuilding/restoring the USS Arizona Memorial. The coin in the center was just a souvenir. The pin on the right was an anniversary pin since the attack.
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Thanks for sharing, that is awesome and I would love to be able to visit someday.:-)
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Thanks for sharing Jordan...great pics!!!
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Interesting enough Mike has his grandfather that served on the Missouri while at Pearl Harbor. He doesn't speak much about the ordeal,but he has said a few things. It seems the Saturday night before the Arizona came in the Missouri was parked where the Arizona went down. All the guys on the ship were excited because they caught the breeze off the ocean and cooled off all the rooms. Then a few hours later the Arizona came in EARLY and took their nice cool breeze. Unfortunately we all know that the Arizona was sank early the next morning. I just found that an interesting tidbit that I thought I would share. Mike's grandmother didn't know for several months if grandpa was dead or alive after Pearl Harbor cause they had to fix the ship to get it out on the waters. I can't imagine what this great couple went through during that time. When I think about it, It keeps me in check. God bless all those that serve,served and their familes.
Shellie
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Thanks for the great pictures Jordan!
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Definitely a must see for those who can make the trip to Hawaii.

I also recommend the World War II Museum in New Orleans. It's currently deals more with the war in Europe but from what I've read they are working on expanding the Pacific Theater portion.
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Been to Hawaii few times and this is indeed a "must see",,,,it was that day in Dec. that caused my Dad and many other men/boys to join the armed forces. Little did my Dad know when he joined the Navy that he'd be in one of the biggest Naval battles in history at Leyte Gulf and survived when their two sister ships were sunk,,,,his ship the USS HEERMANN went on to be named by the Japanese " Destroyer X" because of it's exploits in WWII.
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Man, that is awesome!! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for the post Jordon. I remember my visit well. It was a reality check for me to see for how many, this is thier last resting place. A very emotional memorial, because your on the spot where it happened. God bless our vets.
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Great pictures...thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed looking at the pictures and hope to make it there someday.
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Thanks for sharing Jordan, the pictures look great :-)
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Thanks for posting. We've been to it twice, and I'll go every time we visit Oahu.

Did you notice the list of those who served and survived the Arizona sinking, who had their remains interred with their shipmates when they died? Separated in life, but together in death. I thought that VERY moving, and my wife just bawled when she read that list.

Great pics.
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Yes I did. My lens just wasn't wide enough to get it all in.

And I agree, when I heard that, it was incredibly touching.
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Thanks for sharing the awesome pics Jordan...First Class
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Wow, very moving pics and that last bit about the shipmates, I did not know. That's enough to bring a drop of moisture to a normally very dry eye.
Thanks for sharing with those of us not fortunate to have been there yet.
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