I recently visited the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. This is the site and final  resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmembers who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. After a brief video explaining the events of that day, we boarded a Navy vessel for transport to the memorial. Glancing around the other visitors, there were people of all walks of life and nationalities. It wasn’t until we landed at the memorial that I was truly disappointed in the actions of the other guests. As I stepped off the boat, I quickly removed my ball cap, but noticed that no other person on the dock did the same. Most visitors pranced around taking family snap-shots, grinning in the normal vacation “I was here” photos. I would love to see the photos of them acting like this in front of their grandmothers headstone.

     I realize that it has been over 65 years since that infamous day. I also realize that for most there is no family connection to the men entombed below the waters surface. But what I do not understand is how quickly we forget. How quickly a memorial turns into just another monument or sunken ship display. I would understand if a person did not realize the sacredness of this place, but with the lead-in video, I can see no excuse.

     How can we as a nation turn a cemetery into just another road side attraction. Especially when those that died were on the front-lines, defended our nation and our way of life.