Remembering the USS Arizona

[Watchdog]

As we draw nearer to December 7...Pearl Harbor Day...PBS will be broadcasting a new look at the USS Arizona. This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor...a day that we all know as "A day that will live in infamy."

Titled Into the Arizona, it will be broadcast Wednesday, November 23, at 9:00 P.M. ET.

Donald Stratton, a Seaman First Class who was on the Arizona during the attack, is featured in the program.

The program will be rebroadcast on Monday, November 28, at 10:00 P.M. ET.

I recommend checking the schedule of your local PBS stations in case there have been any local changes to the broadcast schedule.

I think it will be a program most of us will not want to miss.

 

[Ozark Marine]

Thank's for the heads up. Not many folks remember Dec 7th. I was lucky to have a few WW2 vets for teachers in grade school and HS. The stories they passed on to us inspired me to enlist in 1969.
They were great Americans.

 

[Toyman]

I checked local PBS station Pacific time zone 8 pm Pearl Harbor Oklahoma 9 pm Arizona Into the Arizona.

 

[flyrobb]

Got it recorded. Thanks!

 

[S&W ucla]

I took this one 2 years ago on my first trip to Hawaii. Very impressive and solemn sight, I will never forget. I'll be watching for the special, thanks for the notice.

 

[the ringo kid]

Thank's for the heads up. Not many folks remember Dec 7th. I was lucky to have a few WW2 vets for teachers in grade school and HS. The stories they passed on to us inspired me to enlist in 1969.
They were great Americans.

The best I can do on that day--which I remember yearly--is to respectively tip my hat to our flag-remembering our losses--with wet eyes and lump in my throat. That day--is one of several days ill never forgive the Japanese for.

 

[Tom S.]

I have a special reason for remembering December 7th. It was on that date in 1968 that I informed my wife's father of my intentions of marrying his oldest daughteer.

It went just about as well for me as it did the navy.

 

[Dennis The B]

Saw it tonight. Before the program on USS Arizona, there was one about USS Oklahoma.

I thought things were supposed to be crystal clear on Hi Def TV's. The TV kept getting a bit misty. I hadn't realized that Seaman First Class Stratton was burned so badly.

God rest them all.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I wonder how many Millennials even know what "Pearl Harbor" is?

 

[mtgianni]

Different times and eras. I noticed how many of the survivors used the same words and speech patterns my Father did. Rest in Peace ye brave one, you deserve it.

 

[rog8732]

My second Son was born on Dec. 7th.... Not that Dec. 7, but in 1971.
I recall coming home from the work project that evening with my crew of men in the pickup, they all knew we were expecting number two; and one old vet joked how meaningful it would be if the child was born on Dec. 7th. ("No peeking" as to male or female in those days, nor would we have cared.

Got home about 7:30 pm,... met at the door with excited friends and family with the news, "labor has started". Didn't have time to eat supper nor take a shower. Off to the hospital where Son was born at about 9:41 that evening.
Little over 30 years and 13 hours after the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor.
He, like most of his age, no longer feel the rage about the attack most of us old warriors do.

 

[Frank46]

Just saw it this evening, excellent show. They went deeper into the USS Arizona than they have done before. Amazing how well everything is preserved especially the third deck where they found a suit still hanging on the same coat hanger where it had been put over 75 years ago. I'm wondering when they plan on removing the fuel oil still trapped in the bunkers for the last 75 years ago. Someday they are going to have one heck of an oil spill. Thanks for posting about this. Frank

 

[STCM(SW)]

The Arizona is a rally cry for the war, but was to be decommissioned as it was built at the end of the first world war and would have been of no help defeating the Japanese in WW II, fire control being old and armor not up to the ships of the 1940's.

 

[crazyphil]

Took my family to the Arizona memorial several years ago. We were the
only occidentals in the theatre. Filled with Japanese tourists. It was very
quiet, solemn, and respectful, as it should be.
I remember December 7th 1941 very well. I was 6 almost 7.
My Mother's little brother was on the U.S.S. West Virginia, but he
happened to be enroute to San Francisco for a Christmas leave.
Of course he had to turn around and go right back.
Communications were nowhere near as fast then as now. Consequently
a lot of anxiety for my Mom.

 

[muddocktor]

Watchdog, thanks for the heads up about the show. I was working the night it first showed and yesterday I was driving back from the rig, but found it being repeated last night, as well as the one on the Oklahoma too. So I was able to set the DVR to record both programs and finished watching them this morning. Both were good programs to watch.

 

[loknload]

Watched the program on the Oklahoma and then the Arizona.
Both programs very well done!

 

[federali]

Visiting Pearl Harbor

Last year, my wife and I visited Pearl Harbor. The Arizona Memorial is especially somber as you can see parts of the ship, there's still about a quart or two of oil leaking from the ship to the surface and approximately 850 men remain entombed within its hull.

There are additional memorials on Ford Island.

 

[dave1918a2]

I wear a hat bought at the USS Arizona sometimes. The older ones tell Me I'm to young to have served on the Arizona and I always respond Yes Sir or Ma'am You are correct. Then I get the younger ones Who say ' You served on the Arizona, huh?' Too which I respond 'Why yes I did, but I had a real problem.'
When They query what was that?, I merely say 'They killed Me.'
Get a lot of funny looks that way. Best way to honor those who served is to remind people of what happened and when.

 

[pmanton]

I'm only a young whippersnapper I was 3-1/2. I remember the War years and never fail to get a shiver when I think of Dec. 7

 

[Bugkiller99]

Had to look hard for it. Scheduled locally for 0200, 0400.
That in and of itself is sad commentary. Thank goodness for DVR. Have not had a chance to watch it, but I will
Thanks