Pearl Harbor Day

[Sophora]

Voice From The ARIZONA

By Jack F Langham, USN (Ret), Deceased

It's time to break the silence
I have kept for many years;
I want to send a message
To dry away your tears.

Let my story be heard by mothers
Whose sons I still enfold,
And to all the wives of loved ones
Who defended me brave and bold.

To you who've served in battleships-
Or perhaps you shipped with me,
You might be mourning a shipmate
Who is resting beneath the sea.

My Story began in Brooklyn-
Nineteen-sixteen was the date.
They christened me 'Arizona"
After the sunny baby state.

I was a proud ship 'Arizona',
And my commissioning became complete
The day I took my place in line
With the mighty U.S. Fleet.

My bow cleaved through the water-
My sisters steamed at my side-
I was part of the greatest Navy
That ever graced a tide.

If you have been a son of mine,
You helped me earn my fame.
You served me well and faithfully-
I'll aways cherish your name.

The years spead by - too fast it seems,
And this lady was growing old;
Then infamy at Pearl Harbor
My destiny did unfold.

That tranquil Sunday morning
Found me secure in battleship row;
Then without a sign of warning
I suffered my first blow.

My crew rushed to battle stations
And valiantly began to fight-
The aggressors came on relentlessly-
Attack! Attack! With no respite.

My boilers blew with a resounding blast
When a bomb dropped down my stack-
The magazines were the next to go-
A blow that broke my back.

Colors flying - a last salute,
And with twisting and burning steel,
I gave in to merciful waters
And felt mud engulf my keel.

Now I rest beneath the waves,
Embracing my beloved crew-
Almost the entire complement;
One thousand, one hundred and seventy seven.

Though our worldly days are over,
Don't for a moment be misled;
The spirit within me is still alive,
Kindled by the gallantry of my dead.

We receive your prayers and tributes,
We hear you toll our bell;
We thank you for your reverence,
Much more than words can tell.

If we could ask one thing of you,
Our sole request would be;
Do everything within your power
To keep our nation strong and free.



There were 88 Marines aboard the ARIZONA. Only 15 servived.

[Sophora]

Sunday
By Joe Donlon - December 1994

Sunday has always been a special day...
A day for family, or friends, or church - most would say...

But on a certain Sunday - in 1941
something terrible happened...We were over-run...

The day - of course, no one can forget...
a day that will live in infamy - a day Japan would regret...

For on this certian Sunday - Pearl Harbor was asleep...
but in a matter of only two hours - the blood would run deep...

The sound of gunfire, and explosions filled the air...
There was panic, and confusion - and death, everywhere...
Almost 3-thousand Americans - died in a valiant fight...
without warning - without notice...before the first break of light.

Many of those killed - were on board the Arizona that day...
They had no time to think...no time to even pray...

8 battleships fell victum...6 airbases, as well...
The Pacific fleet - in no-time had become a horrible, burning hell...

When the smoke had cleared...the damage had been done...
But this was only the beginning...Now, there was a war to be won

If anything, we know now, those Americans didn't die in vain...
they died for their country...for all of our gain...

So on this certain Sunday...we remember their souls...
the dreams they left behind...their families...their goals...

Yes, we have always set aside Sunday, in a special sort of way...
Let us hope there will never be another..Like Pearl Harbor Day...