On this day, 80 years ago, 2,403 service members and civilians were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Additionally, 1,178 people were injured. Two U.S. Navy battleships (the USS Arizona and the USS Utah) permanently sank. 88 aircraft were destroyed. On Aug. 23, 1994, the United States Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
I had the honor of visiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, a number of years ago. It was a sobering experience. Once you get off that shuttle boat and stand on the bridge overlooking the sunken vessels, your entire life changes forever. Quiet descends. An eerie atmosphere surrounds you where you stand. Bodies remain entombed beneath your feet. All around, lives were lost. Humbling indeed.
I spent quite a bit of quiet time in the actual memorial building, reading names on the walls, praying for the lost souls, and thanking every veteran soldier I’ve ever known for sacrificing their lives to keep our country the land of the free.
I’m sharing some of the photos I took when I was there and I ask that you all take a moment to reflect on the lives lost that day and how the world has changed since this great country was attacked unexpectedly.
Have you ever visited the Pearl Harbor Memorial? What was your experience? Did you have a relative make a sacrifice during WWII? Any other places give you the chills when you visit/ed? There’s definitely something very special about sacred places.
Word of the Day: Otiose
Fun fact about me: I sometimes get the same prickly-skin sensation when I visit our local Vicksburg Military Park. So many lives lost on that battleground as well. I live in a city that sits entirely on hallowed ground.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2021. Images by Google and P. Rickrode.
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jansenschmidt 
Very nice remembrance and depiction of the solemnness that permeates Ford Island. I know you are aware of the post I did about my father-in-law (and thanks again for sharing it in the past) at Pearl Harbor. I’ll probably repost it again tomorrow. You could hit the house that Patty lived in in the 50’s with a stone from where you stood on the memorial.
Another place that gets me quiet is the Little Big Horn battlefield. When you stand where Custer and his men fell it’s easy to picture the whole scene as it took place, not to mention to enjoy the natural beauty of the place. I’m so enamored with it I went back a second time.
I love that you are so patriotic!
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Thanks Al. Some places just give you the shivers. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the Custer site. I’ll have to revisit again.
Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Patricia
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We went to the Pearl Harbor memorial too and you described it perfectly. Sobering and humbling. I think every U.S. citizen should make a point to visit it and remember the sacrifices others have made for our freedom. And I’ve been to the Little Big Horn battlefield too (thanks for the memory, Al!). Also a place to reflect on those who have gone before us and the battles they endured.
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I also think it’s important for everyone to visit one of those hallowed ground places. It’s definitely a spiritual experience that should humble us all.
Thanks for visiting. Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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I’ve never been there, but your words definitely put a lump in my throat as I was reminded of all those lost souls. My dad was a Seabee who went to Hawaii to help rebuild after that horrendous attack. Unfortunately there are not enough of us who remember our history … we seem doomed to repeat some of it. Thank you for sharing your Pearl Harbor experience.
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Jan I hope you get to visit some day. It’s quite amazing. Your dad was one of the great folks who helped make our country a safer place. Unfortunately, I do believe we’re on a crash course to repeating it. Fingers crossed and prayers for our continued freedom.
Thanks for visiting today. Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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