Pearl Harbor

Well I finally dragged the boys to Pearl Harbor. Well, not necessarily dragged, I'm sure we would have gotten here eventually. But I had to plan when we would go and what time to leave for it. We had a great time though. It was such a great experience to be able to see where all of these horrific events had taken place. It was a very humble experience as well. I wish I could have felt more of the spirit there that day, but a toddler can make that almost impossible.

We started out by walking around the grounds and going through the museums that they have. One WW2 museum about Japan and the U.S. and the other museum was specifically for the USS Arizona. We then watched a small movie about it all and then boarded a boat to go to the USS Arizona Monument out in the water.

Here is the monument out in the water. It sits parallel to the actual ship which is still below.

Here are some of the names of the people who still lie below in the USS Arizona. My mom later told me that we have an family name on the wall. William Whitley. My great-grandmother's brother I think. I wish I had known at the time, I would have looked for it. It's also an interesting story because my mom had heard that he actually was not on the ship that morning it sank. He had decided to go to church that morning, which he never did, and got up early and off the ship. So, it is a little family mystery I guess of whether or not he was on it.

Caleb was given a junior park ranger badge, which he did not want to keep on his shirt. He made quite the scene.

Here we are on the boat ride back.

You can see the USS Arizona Monument in the background.

I loved Pearl Harbor. It is a must see if you some to Hawaii.