Perfectly calm water. Glorious sunshine. The Arizona Memorial gleams pure and sacred white, but conceals the gritty truth that the shocking and unexpected death of thousands of young American servicemen on July 7th 1941, saved Europe by bringing the USA into World War 2 when all the US government really wanted to do was protect business assets in the Far East.
I was taken aback by the stern and brusque manner of the State Park officials who instructed, directed, prohibited and marshalled the public around the Pearl Harbour site. I felt uneasy and could not put my finger on the cause. This is after all a very special place. The sunken warship Arizona, its blackened twisted metal still visible just below the surface with just one section standing proud, is a war grave. It's crew of over 1,100 men died instantly. Many bodies were remain trapped within.
We were told when it would be inappropriate to speak or text, that we should stay seated in the boat that carried us across the blue lagoon, then each group was allowed 15 minutes standing in contemplative silence on the memorial that spans the sunken wreck.
Moved as I was, what was even more prominent in my mind was that the US Army, albeit represented by uniformed park officials with a distinctly military bearing, was in complete control. That it was perhaps unwise to walk on the grass or I might find myself in the slammer.
This was the message for tourists from across the world. We are in charge. Ring the Freedom Bell. Honour our dead. Be impressed by our missiles. Don't worry about the rest of the world. The sky here is going to stay blue.
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