Memorial Day is a little more than a week away and while you might have your travel plans set to embark on a weekend adventure to the beach, the woods or the lake it would behoove you take some time between your barbeques and ball games to remember what this holiday is all about.
Memorial Day was set aside to honor all the men and women who have given their lives in military service to this country. The holiday began as a tribute to Union soldiers during the American Civil War. Following World War I, the observance was expanded to commemorate those who died in any war or military action.
Growing up in Hawaii I was fortunate to visit Pearl Harbor whenever I wanted to. The historic site is home to the USS Arizona Memorial—-the final resting place for 1,177 crewmembers who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. It’s hard not to shed a tear when you are staring at the wall inscribed with the names of all the individuals who perished in the Pacific on that fateful day.
Pearl Harbor is also the site of the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the recently dedicated USS Oklahoma Memorial, all of which are operated and maintained by the National Parks Service.
As a special tribute to our service men and women the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites partners are offering complimentary general admission to all active-duty, reserve, and retired U.S. military personnel and their dependents on Memorial Day, May 26th.
Qualified visitors must present a valid military ID upon entering the sites. Even if you have never served in the Armed Forces I would urge you to visit Pearl Harbor at least once in your life. I promise it will be a trip you won’t soon forget.
While there consider visiting the following:
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park: The area is dedicated to the more than 3,500 submarine personnel who lost their lives in World War II. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 per adult and $4 per child 4-12.
Battleship Missouri Memorial: The Missouri is regarded as America’s last battleship and boasts an impressive resume. Its career spans five decades and three wars — World War II, Korea and Operation Desert Storm, though it is best known as the site of Japan’s WWII surrender. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16 per adult and $8 per child 4-12.
USS Oklahoma Memorial: The site was created in honor of the 429 sailors and Marines lost aboard the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
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Pearl Harbor: An Unforgettable Trip
Hawaii’s “Not So Famous” Military Memorials
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl