We were there from 94-97, and the 1995 "50th Anniversary" of the end of the war was a big deal. They had one Zero, and two WW2 US planes (F6F and F41?) do a "fly over". Those three planes were soooo loud, it gave me occasion to think about what the men at Pearl felt that day when they heard hundreds of IJN planes coming in.
I did the wreath laying on Dec 7th. It is very moving. A huge number of Japanese come to pay their respects and express their apologies each year also.
The US Navy used to have active duty sailors on the shuttle boats to explain details of the events of Dec 7th, and the current condition of the Arizona, like the "tears of the Arizona" being oil that is still leaking up from the ship. Now there's a pre- recorded soundtrack.
Lastly, there is a very sensitive sonar system that detects anyone or anything under the water trying to get to the Arizona. I have no idea where it is, or how it works, but it has prevented the curious and other more nefarious persons ("souvenir" hunters?) from diving anywhere near the ship.
My lovely wife has a great uncle buried at the "Punchbowl" cemetery on Ohau.
I did the wreath laying on Dec 7th. It is very moving. A huge number of Japanese come to pay their respects and express their apologies each year also.
The US Navy used to have active duty sailors on the shuttle boats to explain details of the events of Dec 7th, and the current condition of the Arizona, like the "tears of the Arizona" being oil that is still leaking up from the ship. Now there's a pre- recorded soundtrack.
Lastly, there is a very sensitive sonar system that detects anyone or anything under the water trying to get to the Arizona. I have no idea where it is, or how it works, but it has prevented the curious and other more nefarious persons ("souvenir" hunters?) from diving anywhere near the ship.
My lovely wife has a great uncle buried at the "Punchbowl" cemetery on Ohau.
