Veterans shed tears as 21 shots were fired into the air and the USS Arizona bell rang eight times yesterday in remembrance of the eight Arizona men who died aboard the ship when it was attacked at Pearl Harbor 63 years ago.
The 51st annual USS Arizona Memorial Service, organized by the Fleet Reserve Association and the UA, honored the 1,177 sailors and Marines who were killed on the USS Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941.
Donald Stratton, one of six survivors who attended the event, said he remembered seeing a large ball of fire when he was on the USS Arizona, with smoke shooting more than 500 feet into the air. Stratton suffered burns on 60 to 70 percent of his body but still fought in World War II to seek justice for the friends he lost.
"It was a horrible day," Stratton said.
Tomorrow marks the 63rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, where 2,008 U.S. troops died after the Japanese bombed the south shores of O'ahu, Hawaii, an event which instigated America's entrance into World War II.
Ed Walls, who was 17 at the time, said he was sitting at the dinner table when he heard a broadcast on the radio, announcing Pearl Harbor was bombed. Walls said he slammed his hand on the table and yelled, "those dirty bastards."
The USS Arizona was one of 94 battleships in harbor at the time of the attack, but half the people who died that morning were on the USS Arizona. The ship took five hits and sunk in nine minutes, with only 335 survivors. Today the ship rests 38 feet under water at Pearl Harbor.
Don Jenkins, who was on the USS San Francisco on the harbor, said he "hit the deck" when the bombs began to fall, grabbed .50-caliber ammunition and raced to the other ships docked nearby to help rescue others.
When he reached another ship, Jenkins, who had just turned 20 four days earlier, said a bomb dropped in the water next to him, with a powerful blow that knocked him down. But at the time, Jenkins wasn't thinking about his own mortality, he was thinking about the other men.
"Everybody (in war) thinks they will survive," Jenkins said.
Jerry Sweeney, the keynote speaker of the event and national financial secretary of the Fleet Reserve Association from Washington, D.C., said the heroism and effort of the hundreds who died inspire a new generation of soldiers today.
"Your sacrifice is known around the world," said Sweeny. "Your death was not in vain."
Augustine Perales, assistance marine officer of instruction for USMC who has been a Marine for 20 years, said the statement holds true for the young Marines he trains. The "modern American Marine" loves to find veterans and listen to their stories, Perales said.
"They gave us our history and identity - they did so much for our country," said Perales. "We always ask ourselves, 'Could I have done the same thing they did?'"
Guests at the service also took a moment of silence to honor Americans fighting overseas today, and Sweeny made a reference to the war in Iraq, saying America has seen the results of tyrannical power and will continue to fight against it.
"Only through our constant vigilance can we keep America free," Sweeney said.
Along with the USS Arizona Memorial and Visitor's Center at Pearl Harbor, the UA also serves as a memorial site for the sunken ship.
The USS Arizona Memorial Lounge in the Student Union Memorial Center includes photographs, artifacts, documents and a replica of the ship. One of two bells from the USS Arizona hangs at the clock tower of the student union and only rings to mark special events.
During the service, Tony Tonelli, former regional president of the Fleet Reserve Association, read the poem "Arizona" by William Wilmoth, which paid tribute to the ship and her men.
"She's a fighting ship, filled with fighting men whose spirits never die, and her lonely flag, now with 50 stars, points towards the Hawaiian skies," read Tonelli. "I can only hope that when I die should I cross that Golden Strand, that an 'Arizona' sailor will be there to shake my hand."