The plan was to get all the touristy stuff out of the way so we could spend the rest of our trip actually EXPERIENCING Hawaii. We didn't have our rental car yet, so we decided to give the well used bus system a try and make our way to the Pearl Harbor. You could honestly take the bus anywhere on the island if you wanted, paying a fare of only $2.50 each way. However, when it takes over 90 minutes to go 10 miles (not counting time waiting for the right bus), we would highly recommend a rental car. It is so worth it.
If you go to Pearl Harbor, make sure you walk straight into the main visitor's center get a ticket for the Arizona Memorial (it's free, you just have to reserve a time and it fills up so fast) then go to the next counter and buy the whole package or whatever museums you plan to visit. We wandered around first and ended up paying for the Bowfin Submarine tour twice on accident, because they offer a single ticket at the gift shop and it is included in the package at the main entrance.
The Bowfin Museum was really cool. They give you an audio headset to follow along as you visit all of the display cases and soak up some excellent history. I particularly liked these posters. It makes me wonder if Landon joined the submarine service all for the action. They sure know how to lure in those men, don't they. And of course, I was fascinated by the photography display.
Landon pulled me over to a case full of badges and pins, pointed to the one at the very top and said, Look babe, that is the Dolphin Pin I will wear someday. The Dolphin pin, also referred to as the Fish pin (which makes more sense as there are no dolphins on the pin), is something submariners earn as they become qualified to run the boat. Each sailor starts out as a nub or non-useful body and must earn their way through a series of tests and qualifications in order to receives their Dolphin. Think of it as earning merit badges in scouts. A navy for mom's site describes well the honor it is to receive this pin:
After the sailor is designated "Qualified in Submarines", he is now looked upon by the rest of the crew as someone that can, and will, save their lives. He is treated with a greater amount of respect, given more responsibility, and the real learning begins. He is required to continually qualify in areas other than his primary duty. This is to ensure in-depth cross-training is accomplished.
I couldn't be more proud of Landon and can't wait to support him in his duties. What an experience it will be. Someday he will know what every one of these switches below does and much, much more. I sure don't know that I could do it!
I laughed as I pictured Landon wearing this awesome suit to do his scuba diving. It looks more like an astronaut suit to me, but whatever works right? Everywhere I looked around Pearl Harbor, I found another American flag. So much glory to bestow upon the many lives sacrificed on December 7, 1941.
Next we ventured off into the actual Bowfin submarine and took a look at Landon's future living space. Pretty close quarters if you ask me. Glad I'm not the one living 300 ft under water!
I made Landon show off his privacy-lacking shower and there's me giving some thumbs up after climbing through the midget of a doorway... just my size :) I attempted to use the big guns on the surface, but for some reason they were out of order. Then tried to take what would have been a cool shot of the binoculars when some lady jumped right into my photo, giving my this hissy face. Dang lady.
We made our way over to the USS Missouri and stood on the exact spot that the Japanese surrendered, signing the treaty that would end World War II. The ship was gigantic. Landon was completely astonished by the size of the guns on deck and I kept feeling lost as we wandered through all the different levels and balconies. We even got the chance to see this submarine glide back into port. Technically I wasn't supposed to take this picture. But the tour guide just recommended we act as if we are snapping a photo of someone and somehow sneak in a shot.
The USS Arizona Memorial was very impressive. After watching a quick film about the history of the sunken ship, they shuttle you across the harbor to a building standing right above the rusted remains. This exact spot became the final resting place to so many individuals on that day of attack. Only the names remain of these heroes who sacrifices their lives for our beloved country. Still today, as you look down into the water you can see rings of oil continually leaking from the ship's hull.
And of course we had to practice our return from deployment ritual :) Can't wait to see my handsome man, dressed in his Navy whites. Have I already told you how proud he makes me? I seriously don't know what I would do without him. It takes a really honorable person to want to sacrifice in service of our country. I couldn't be more grateful for the many brave souls who have provided me a life of freedom and opportunity.
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