THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL HONORS PEARL HARBOR HEROES
The service life of the USS Arizona, a battleship built for the US Navy in the mid 1910s, was cut short in 1941 when it sank following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Commemorating those in the attack, the USS Arizona Memorial is a concrete structure that spans above the wreckage of the USS Arizona in Honolulu, Hawaii.Suggested read: Philippines Earthquake Prompting Humanitarian Aid From Marines
What You Should Know Before Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial program is facilitated by the National Park Service. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during the busiest seasons: summertime, spring break, and winter holidays. Tickets are free, but are a must to visit the memorial. The official booking website for tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial is recreation.gov. This is the only website that you can order tickets from. While the ticket is free, recreation.gov collects a $1 program management fee. Once you get your tickets, you will receive an email with a QR code. You can scan this code at the ticket validation desk at the Pearl Harbor Theater.When planning your date of visit and booking your tickets, it is important to note that the primary booking window to get tickets is 8 weeks in advance. Tickets open one day at a time on this long-range rolling basis. The secondary window is 1 week in advance. There is a limit of 5 tickets per reservation, per day and everyone needs a ticket (including infants and small children). Once you and your visiting crew get your USS Arizona Memorial tickets, you should arrive at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at least one hour before your scheduled program time. You will check in at the theater. Make sure to be on time or your seats may be given away to other visitors waiting for open availability. Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Hours are from 7am-5pm, Sunday through Saturday. Booking start times to visit the USS Arizona Memorial are available from 8am-3:30pm.
How Many Lives Were Lost During the Attack?
The USS Arizona Memorial honors the lives of the 1,177 Sailors and Marines that died in the attack on December 7, 1941. The Japanese attack came in the form of a bomb dropped on the forward deck of the ship, causing an explosion inside the USS Arizona. This led the ship to catch fire and remain on fire for two days. This hampered the rescue efforts, leading to the cremation of many bodies. After the fires, they were only able to positively identify 107 people. Others who were unidentifiable were removed from the ship. Today, many people go to the site to honor these brave Sailors and Marines, and you can too! The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor hosts visitors seven days a week. In fact, over two million people visit the memorial annually. Related read: The National World War II Museum Welcomes the Liberation Pavilion
The USS Arizona Memorial Honors the Bravery of Our Nation's Heroes
When you arrive at the Pearl Harbor Theater to validate your reservation, you will be able to view the 23-minute park film if conditions permit. Otherwise, you should expect to board a vessel provided by the US Navy to travel to the USS Arizona. Once at the USS Arizona Memorial, you will have the opportunity to visit the shrine room and view the underwater structure of the ship. The guided tour duration is about 30-45 minutes. There are always staff and volunteers on site to answer any questions you may have. When visiting the USS Arizona Memorial, it is important to have fun during the experience. However, it is equally important to remember to reflect on a pivotal moment in history and the sacrifices made by those in the armed forces. Read next: Military Technology: 5 Exciting Developments to Watch in 2024