This year is the 50th anniversary of the creation of the USS Arizona Memorial. Why is it important to have created this memorial to honor those who died in the attack on the Arizona Dec. 7, 1941?

Tech. Sgt. Arlo Frederick
561st Network Operations Squadron, Det. 1

“If we forget the past, how are we going to improve on the future?”

Charles Dinoto
Vietnam veteran/Australian visitor
Melbourne, Australia

“It is the only way to properly remember those who died for their country, for the love of the people and to make America and the world a better place. Everyone ‘cans’ on America, but without America the world would be a much darker place.”

Capt. Darrell Randolph
PACAF IG

“Memorializing great triumphs of the past and honoring heroes of that era encourages our young people to fight for what’s right…Freedom is right!”

Michael Lodge
Federal Fire Department, Ford Island

“Hopefully the memorial will continue to honor those who served, some who are still alive today. It is a great honor to have such a memorial here in Hawaii, where people can visit and gather together in appreciation of a symbol of our freedom. This isn’t something that most will associate with the conflicts we are dealing with in the Middle East, but hopefully it is something that will keep the fight for our freedom alive.”

Senior Master Sgt. Susan Kittel
561st Network Operations Squadron, Det. 1

“It is tremendously important to honor those service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation. The Arizona allows the public to learn about and appreciate the contributions of the ‘Greatest Generation’ of Americans.”

Shasta Oliveira
Sharpshooter Imaging, USS Missouri

“It’s important because innocent people had lost their lives fighting to protect our island, also because they deserve to have a memorial. They deserve to be honored. I think it is very important that we have these memorials.”

(Provided by MC1 Donald W. Randall and David Underwood Jr.)

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