I wish I could have posted this yesterday on the 7th but I was busy. But I have had the chance to visit Pearl quite a few times on my many vacations to Hawaii. It is a very powerful experience to visit the USS Arizona and see the modern war ships around the area. I recommend whoever travels to Hawaii to make the time to visit the base.
I heard a joke about Pearl a few years ago, it goes something like this.
To memorialize the 60th anniversary Pearl Harbor veterans from both sides were to meet at Pearl. When an elderly Japanese veteran approached a Marine guard at the base for directions, asking where the USS Arizona was...
The Marine politely answered to the Japanese man...
"The Arizona is right where you left it"
....thats nice to know! You guys always valued the contributions of your vets than we seem to do ours.........sad really.......
In my great home state, where there are more veterans and active duty personnel per capita than any other state, they are eligible for special license plates that designate veteran status, purple heart winner, MOH winner and former POW are some of the ones I have seen.
The problem with veterans affairs in this country is that the value and appreciation shown to the veterans are all to often nothing but lip service and bumper stickers.
Its the same politicians who send the troops to battle, but dont give the services necessary when they return. As is evidenced by the disgraceful status of Walter Reed, the lack of adequate mental health resources and beauracratic nightmare the VA tends to be.
Also I have noticed that it is often those most against entitlement programs and complaining about high taxes, but are the first to want to send troops into harms way.