USS Arizona Memorial

The United States flag still flies proudly from the main mast of the sunken USS Arizona and the impressive memorial above honours the dead while also providing a fascinating and informative visitor experience. The ship lies where it sank on December 7, 1941 in the deadly Japanese attack on the U.S. fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor – an attack which led directly to the country’s involvement in World War II. The memorial, located just offshore, directly above the battleship, marks the resting place of most of the 1,117 military personnel killed on that day. Visitors can take a shuttle boat from the mainland to visit the site as part of a 75-minute tour and, from there, get a bird’s eye view of perhaps the most significant relic in U.S. history.The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center houses the bulk of the historical information as well as exhibitions about the attacks and it is also where you can get your tickets for the boat tour. The tickets are free but are usually snapped up by mid-morning so get there early to make sure you get a place or reserve yours in advance online for a small fee.Before you head out to the memorial itself, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the historical significance of the Pearl Harbor attacks and the area’s involvement in the war through a number of exhibitions and a 23-minute documentary. There are also photographs and personal items belonging to some of the sailors killed: a sad reminder of the human cost of the tragedy.From the visitor centre, you’ll be taken by boat to the impressive memorial which spans the wrecked hulk of the ship. According to the architect, its curved, white shape “expresses initial defeat and ultimate victory” and, as it is a grave site, visitors are reminded to behave respectfully at all times. The memorial is divided into three sections including an entrance hall, displaying one of the ship’s anchors, and the shrine, where all the names of those killed in the attack are engraved. In the assembly hall, visitors can view the decks of the rusting remains directly through the floor and many like to scatter flowers here in memory of the dead. The memorial is open every day except for Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.