Pearl Harbor presented in movies and video over the years…Today’s post is #800!…One year ago, a mating lion…





Gun turrets aboard the USS Missouri.

Tom was moved by the reverence, respect and attention to detail presented at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. 


This is the armor piercing shell weighing over one ton.  To the right, is two of three packs of gunpowder wrapped in silk to avoid sparks.



Gun turrets.


Standing atop the memorial of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941 when their ship was bombed by Japanese Naval Forces.


The Captain’s dining hall aboard the USS Missouri.

Captain’s dining hall seating area.

In all, the Japanese attack killed a total of 2390 people; 1990 sailors, 233 soldiers and airmen, 109 marines and 49 civilians.  Of the eight battleships in the harbor, five were sunk.  In all, 21 vessels were sunk or heavily damaged.


Shells to be shot from smaller gun turrets.
Officer’s mess hall.

After the attack, the Navy undertook a massive salvage operation and all but three vessels were returned to service; the USS Arizona, the USS Oklahoma and the USS Utah. The attackers destroyed 164 aircraft , damaging 159.


Junior officer’s sleeping quarters.
Junior officer’s lounge.

The Japanese Navy lost 55 airmen and 29 planes.  Of the five midget two-man submarines launched, four were lost and one was captured which was America’s first prisoner of war.


Junior officer’s bunks.
Officer’s mess hall.
 

Millions of people from all over the world come to the majestic setting to see the location where World War II  began for the United States.  It is currently the number one visitor destination in Hawaii.


Junior officer’s mess hall.
Vegetable prep area.

Having an opportunity to board “Mighty Mo,” the USS Missouri, only added to the significance and depth of his experience.  Of course, it was important that visitors take extra precautions to avoid “knee knockers” and “head bangers” when most visitors have no experience or knowledge in boarding a battleship with its many ladders and small spaces.  Tom exited unscathed.


Kitchen baked goods area.
Marine’s are on board the USS Missouri as ship’s security.  These are their sleeping quarters.

As we discussed his experience, it came to mind that there has been movies, videos, and even songs, attributed to the memory of Pearl Harbor and its tragic loss of life.  Today, we share some of those here with the following video links and a short description:

Mail room.
Executive officer bedroom.

For those World War II aficionados, you may enjoy clicking on the above links.  On YouTube some of theses movies are offered in their entirety by simply typing in  the name of the movies on their site.


Executive Officer lounge area.
View from the USS Missouri’s bridge to the memorial.

Thanks to all of our readers for sharing this powerful experience with Tom.  Although, I wasn’t in attendance on the tour, I feel the significance and powerful message portrayed in this magnificent memorial along with him as we share these details with you.


Various US military flags.
View of the port side of the USS Missouri.

Tomorrow, is our flight from Oahu to Maui at 12:45 with Hawaiian Air.  The flight time is only 39 minutes.  We’re going to love that!


The monument at the Punchbowl, which is the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

The grounds of National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific where the memorial for Hawaiian born Astronaut,  Ellison Onizuka, is located, who was killed on the Challenger in 1986.

We’ll end on a happy note with this fabulous World War II Christmas music video by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, “Christmas Without You.”


Statue of the classic Tim magazine shot of a nurse and sailor kissing at the end of
World War II.

Happy day!
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Photo from one year ago today, October 15, 2013:

Contented male lion during a short break in the mating ritual.  For more photo and details, please click here.

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