USS Arizona Memorial

BC999S · #1 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 11:22 PM

Just got back from Hawaii and visited this memorial as well as the USS Missouri while I was there.

While waiting to board the Missouri, I noticed that about 10-15% of the visitors were Japanese.

While waiting to take the shuttle over to the Arizona I noticed that about 65-75% were Japanese.

The Americans I was with admitted to some odd feelings upon this realization.

Anyone care to hazard a guess on why the Japanese have a greater attraction to the Arizona over the Missouri?

RockyMt · #2 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 01:42 AM

Maybe the same reason Raider fans keep reliving their glory years......

-Rocky-

i_broke_down · #3 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 02:19 AM

Probably the same reason many Americans visit the peace parks in Nagasaki and Hiroshima...

If your ever in the area I'd recommend them both to you as something you should see.

RockyMt · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 10:48 PM

Our oldest Son (28) has lived there for 9 years, he's been there during the yearly ceremony, says it's pretty somber shit...........as they say, payback's a bitch.....

-Rocky-

i_broke_down · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 11:33 PM

Agreed... I lived in Japan for a couple of years and am actually moving back again. I love the place, the people and everything...

But we were right on to drop both those nukes on em' in WWII...
Going to both the Arizona Memorial and one of the peace parks in Japan is a very emotional experience, it's also gives you a deeper respect for what the "greatest generation" went through (on both sides)