Uss Arizona Memorial Thesis

The USS Arizona Memorial

Katya Macias
Mod B
February 24, 2016
Macias 1

USS Arizona Memorial

Whether one celebrates Independence Day or honors a day like 9/11, every American has felt a sense of pride in the United States at least once in their life. Pearl Harbor represents another situation where American pride and respect was overwhelming. Memorials, remembrance, and commemorative services for ships such as the USS Arizona is an example of the esteem of Americans. Terry Dunnahoo conveys that, ". . .visitors who come from all over the world recall a day of infamy when they look down at the ghost of the Arizona" (94). Although Pearl Harbor was a tragic event, the history, experience, and patriotism behind the USS Arizona

The USS Arizona was an American battle ship with the purpose of serving the United States Navy. She was first launched on June 19, 1915. Approximately 75,000 people attended this launch including important businessmen and politicians. The USS Arizona served in World War I, and various events such as attacks throughout the 1920s and 1930s. On December 7, 1941, Japanese warfare struck a naval base in Hawaii called Pearl Harbor. The Japanese succeed in destroying almost 20 American naval vessels, which included eight giant battleships, and more than 300 airplanes. The USS Arizona was docked in this harbor, and it was badly struck and damaged by the Japanese enemy. Since this event happened on a Sunday,

After World War II ended, many people thought that there should be different memorials at Pearl Harbor in remembrance of this event. Tamara L. Britton states that, "in 1949 Hawaii established the Pacific War Memorial Commission (PWMC). It would help raise money to build the memorials" (26). This organization helped build a series of memorials, one being the USS Arizona memorial. They raised more than $500,000 specifically for the construction of this memorial. When visitors first arrive at the memorial, they would have to proceed to buy a ticket from the Visitor Center. At the Visitor Center, there are several artifacts from the ship. Visitors then wait for a U.S. Navy boat to take them to the memorial. Once arriving at the memorial, the first place visitors will go to is the front room. This room is filled with flags representing every single battleship present on the harbor the day of the attacks. Visitors then advance to the Assembly Room. Britton describes the Assembly Room as, "a long room with windows on both sides. Here, the USS Arizona can