Why Respect Matters at the USS Arizona Memorial and Beyond

Respect at USS Arizona: Why It Matters

The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is more than a historical landmark—it is a final resting place for 1,102 sailors and Marines who perished during the attack on December 7, 1941. The memorial, administered by the National Park Service, stands as a solemn reminder of sacrifice and loss.

Oil seeping from the wreckage beneath the water’s surface, known as the "black tears," evokes deep emotion for visitors. These tears symbolize the ongoing grief for those entombed within the sunken battleship.

The Role of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)

The ABMC, a small but sacred U.S. government institution, maintains 26 cemeteries and 31 memorials worldwide. These sites honor Americans who died overseas in conflicts such as World War I and World War II. The commission was established in 1923 after General John J. Pershing recognized the need for dignified and enduring memorials for the fallen.

I served on the ABMC’s governing board, appointed by the president—a role I consider one of the greatest honors of my life. The ABMC’s work ensures that the memory of America’s fallen is preserved with the respect they deserve.

Why Conduct at Memorials Must Reflect Reverence

Military memorials and cemeteries are not ordinary public spaces. They are places of quiet reflection, where visitors—especially families of the fallen—come to pay their respects. The unwritten rules of conduct at these sites emphasize humility and reverence.

Recent reports of FBI Director Kash Patel conducting a "VIP snorkeling excursion" near the USS Arizona wreck have deeply offended veterans, military families, and citizens. These actions contradict the solemn purpose of such sites, where remembrance should always take precedence over personal activities.

"Military memorials and cemeteries exist first for the dead and for families who mourn them—but they are also for the living who visit to pay their quiet respect."

When officials visit these sites, their conduct should reflect the gravity of the location. Wreath-laying ceremonies, memorial services, and other acts of remembrance are restrained, somber, and focused on honoring the fallen.

The USS Arizona Memorial: A Symbol of Sacrifice

The USS Arizona Memorial is not an ABMC site but is equally revered. Its significance lies in the lives it preserves and the lessons it teaches about the cost of war. The recent incident serves as a reminder that respect for these sacred spaces must always come first.