While the other Hawaiian Islands are prettier and more relaxing, Oahu has one thing they don’t have – Pearl Harbor.
We didn’t visit the Arizona memorial, saw it from across the water, we did visit the Missouri.
The ship upon which the Japanese surrendered in WWII. The sister ship, the Iowa, is in San Pedro, for all people in the LA area- I highly recommend you visit.
Joel is smart, a company photographer took pictures of everyone – as in 1700 people. So Joel handed him my camera and asked him to to our picture – good job!
We were seated in a large tent, the back had screening so we could see the memorial. Which is why this picture is a little fuzzy.
I’m actually amazed at the clarity of this photo, as the program started this rainbow appeared.
And stayed throughout General McChrystal’s fascinating talk. 
Before he spoke, we were introduced to a Vet who was on active duty in Pearl Harbor, on the infamous day that shall live on in history.
Then it was on to a cocktail party on the Missouri, with a number of docents telling us the interesting history of this ship.
These battleship guns were active during Dessert Storm in the early 90s and have a lot to do with why that conflict ended quickly.
Other guns are tiny in comparison.
The steel chains are huge.
And to my eye beautiful.
Even the rust is beautiful, a rare sight on a very well cared for ship.
As the sun set, the old control tower for the airport, is off in the distance – pure Hawaii, palm trees at it’s base.
The party continued at the Pearl Harbor museum of flying. I wish fighter jets were still painted like this.
The party went on into the night, with music dancing and lots of food and drinks. The insurance business may not be sexy, but insurance people sure know how to have a good time as well as a meaningful one.
Patriotism
