If we feel times are uncertain in 2011, think what it must have felt like on December 7, 1941.
Pearl Harbor was one of the deadlist attacks on our soil besides 911. Over 2500 Americans were killed and another 1,000 wounded.
The USS Arizona accounted for over half of the deaths and there are some little know facts about the Arizona that are interesting and on the History Channel Website today. They have videos of the attack and good information on this website at www.history.com
- There were 23 sets of Brothers that were killed on the USS Arizona. Regulations regarding family members serving on the same ship have changed since then.
- The entire Band of the USS Arizona with 21 members were killed. Fuel continues to leak into the harbor from the wreckage of the ship. This is the only time in history this has happened.
- The boat was loaded with 1.5 million gallons the night before in preparation for a trip to the mainland. To date fuel still leaks from the wreckage of the Arizona into the harbor in Hawaii referred to by some as "black tears".
- Over 30 of the former crew members have been interred in the wreckage in a special ceremony where their ashes are placed in an urn below the gun turrets by divers. Many of the crewmembers felt so moved by the event they have requested this as their final resting place.
- A memorial was built on the site partially in thanks by Elvis Presley who performed a benefit concert to raise over 10% of the cost of the memorial. The hull of the Arizona still remains submerged with over 1000 bodies of crewmen.
Today is a day to remember the price of war and pray for peace for our planet. What does Pearl Harbor Day mean for you???
Photo courtsey www.photos8.com
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