Why We Should
Remember Pearl Harbor
December 7, 2007 marks the 66th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor which launched America into World War II. The Arizona Memorial Museum Association and Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund are committed to preserving this important time in history for this and future generationsThis year's Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration will once again be hosted by the US Navy and National Park Service at Kilo Pier on Naval Station Pearl Harbor. The Kilo Pier venue looks directly out on the USS Arizona Memorial situated in Pearl Harbor approximately half a mile away. The December 7, 2007 commemoration is open to the public and thousands are expected to attend. Traditionally, a moment of silence will be observed at 7:55 a.m., the exact moment the attack began 66 years ago.
Remember, Understand & Honor
The history and events of Pearl Harbor continue to have significant meaning today and it is especially important that school children have the opportunity to learn from its lessons. Earlier this year, a speech contest was held at Hawaii's Kapolei Middle School as a way for eighth grade language arts teacher Joy Lynch to engage her students more fully in their recent visit to Pearl Harbor. After visiting the USS Arizona Memorial and meeting Survivors of December 7, 1941, the students were asked to write about why they thought the USS Arizona Memorial might be important to new generations of students.
Arizona Memorial Museum Association Education Specialist Steve Kooiman, who helped organize the school effort, arranged for the four finalists of the contest to present their speeches at the 2007 Teachers Workshop held in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was an appropriate place and time for the students and teachers, as the entire workshop focused on constructing new ways to understand the lessons and meanings of Pearl Harbor, and how those new understandings could be communicated to school kids across the world.
The student speeches cut through lesson planning, curriculum toolkits, and the theoretical underpinnings of conflict resolution. All four students spoke eloquently of a respect for the stories of Pearl Harbor. How the passing on of these stories should be a privilege to those entrusted with their care. Eighth grader Lucy Oda especially captured this feeling in her short presentation to the teachers, excerpted below.
The National Park Service and the Arizona Memorial Museum Association owe these students a debt of gratitude for reminding us why taking care of the history of Pearl Harbor is so important. These organizations, and the dedicated people who support them, have a duty to preserve and to protect the legacy of the people who gave their lives that day, and the Survivors, who have dedicated their lives helping us remember them.
Your continuing support of the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum & Visitor Center will ensure that the debt we owe the Pearl Harbor veterans to preserve their legacy won't be forgotten.
Excerpt from Kapolei Middle School speech contest finalist Lucy Oda:
"My name is Lucy Oda and I'm here to answer the question, why should the youth tell the next generation about the USS Arizona Memorial?
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To speak for those who died and the veterans who lived to tell their stories so we could tell the next generation, is the greatest privilege.
- Lucy Oda, Kapolei Elementary Middle School student
"A lot of men died protecting this island ... but because stories about World War II still continue, their spirit still lives. These men gave something so fragile and precious; they gave us their lives. In return, we should tell others of their bravery.
"Respect them because of what they did, for how many of us would die for someone we don't know? It must sound crazy, but these men did this. To speak for those who died and the veterans who lived to tell their stories so we could tell the next generation, is the greatest privilege. It takes courage to sacrifice your life in order to protect others. The day the enemy thought we were destroyed was the day we were made anew.
"When you enter Pearl Harbor, the names of those known and unknown will stand before you and your heart will sink in sadness. But men fought, not for you to be sad, but to be happy and free. Those who died will forever live in spirit in the stories we tell the next generation. So tell them. Tell them the causes and effects; the bombings and the airplanes; teach them what happens when people want power. They have no right to kill because it won't solve anything.
"And to the veterans, I give you my respect. It is with pride that I have met you face to face. I don't know if I am brave enough to fight like you, but I know I am brave enough to speak for you."
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Follow The Flag
The Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund, together with the National Park Service and the White House Commission on Remembrance is please to announce the kickoff of Old Glorys Journey of Remembrance.
The American flag flown over the USS Arizona Memorial on December 7, 2007 in Commemoration of Pearl Harbor Day will be raised over the new USS Oklahoma Memorial later that day at its dedication at Pearl Harbor .
| The Stars and Stripes will then make an historic journey across the country and be raised in 25 locations across the United States to memorialize and honor the sacrifices of brave Americans. All locations represent major conflicts in which American lives have been lost as identified by memorials, battlefields and National Cemeteries. |
In each location, school children and veterans organizations will be sought to assist in the raising of the flag and to hold a ceremony recognizing the sacrifices made in each conflict. The flag will conclude its 161 day journey with a final tribute over the US Capitol on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008.
FedEx Corporation has graciously offered to donate all flag transportation between the 25 sights.
We ask that all Americans Follow the Flag from December 7th to May 26th in honor of the sacrifices made by our heroes.
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Construction Update
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An artist's rendering of the proposed entry way to the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum & Visitor Center
After years of planning, engineering studies and countless design concepts, we are rapidly approaching the completion of the final architectural and exhibit designs for the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum & Visitor Center. Planning has begun for the groundbreaking for the new Museum & Visitor Center and an announcement will be made soon. We are all very excited!
A new museum and visitor center is desperately needed. Visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial National Park are all too aware of the poor and overcrowded conditions that currently exist. The site is faced with severe structural deterioration, inadequate museum conditions, and very limited space.
Architects, The Portico Group, and exhibit designers AldrichPears, have found creative and effective solutions to these challenges. To address the structural issues, the "footprint" of the Park will be moved to more stable areas of the site and advanced engineering techniques will be employed that were not available when the facility was first built in 1980. This will ensure that the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum & Visitor Center will be available for many generations to come.
New state-of-the-art and interactive exhibits will feature never before seen Pearl Harbor artifacts in an expanded museum that more than doubles the current exhibit space. Through both enclosed and open-air exhibits and displays, visitors and students will have a more complete experience as they journey through history from pre-attack Hawaii through the early War in the Pacific.
The new site is designed in a campus-style layout that maximizes the use of the Park's open areas. Visitors will enjoy ample space and panoramic views of Pearl Harbor with opportunities for quiet reflection.
The National Park Service is committed to keeping the Park open during construction and to minimize inconveniences to visitors. Construction will be completed in phases allowing the Park to continue to operate.
Read about the progress of the new Museum & Visitor Center
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The Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund has teamed with YTB Travel Network to provide on-line travel services through leading travel companies.
You have been generous with your commitment to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund and it is our pleasure to give something back to our supporters.
Through our Pearl Harbor Memorial Travel website at www.PHMFTravel.com, you will find excellent travel services at some of the lowest prices on the internet. And when you book your travel through us, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund will receive a portion of the commissions from YTB Travel Network. No additional money comes out of your pocket!
So when you make your travel plans, please visit www.PHMFTravel.com first.
Disclaimer: PHMF is not responsible for any financial damages or canceled travel. YTB Travel Network is the actual travel provider and maintains for the benefit of persons or entities placing travel and travel related product and service orders Travel Agent and Tour Operator liability insurance. YTB indemnifies the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund against any claim, demand, or loss made against or suffered by our organization by virtue of the claim or demand of any travel product purchaser arising in connection with any act or omission of YTB. Any demand, claim or action should be forwarded to YTB with a complete description for their review.
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Preparations are underway to break ground on the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum & Visitor Center which will forever preserve and protect the sacrifices, memories, and history of Pearl Harbor.
Become a member of the Pearl Harbor Legacy Society by making a Planned Gift from your estate and ensure that we always Remember, Understand, & Honor the importance of December 7, 1941.
A Planned Gift to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund can offer many advantages such as reduce estate taxes, reduce or completely avoid capital gains tax, allow for the potential of a larger gift, reduce income tax, and protect the assets of your heirs.
Please consider a Planned Gift to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund.
Bequest through a will
Gift through a trust
Gift of life insurance
Gift annuities
Gift of securities and stocks
Donation of retirement plan assets
If you have already made provisions for the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund in your estate planning, please contact us so that you may be appropriately recognized as a member of the Pearl Harbor Legacy Society.
Contact our office for more information about the benefits of Planned Giving at:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund
1 Arizona Memorial Place
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
Toll Free (866) DEC-1941
Email donations@pearlharbormemorial.com
It is important to first consult with your attorney or estate planner before making changes to your charitable giving plans. The Arizona Memorial Museum Association, and its Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund, is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Federal Tax ID #99-0194501
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