Unparalleled Sacrifice, Eternal Remembrance

Millions of people from across the world make the trek to Hawaii to see Pearl Harbor, a place that is now serene, showing little resemblance of its harsh past. For over fifty years, Americans have visited the resting place of the U.S.S. Arizona, the battleship that carried the most men lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor. At the Arizona Memorial people come to pay tribute to its service members, often dropping flowers into the water above the sunken vessel. Many Oklahomans have felt a sense of loss over the years, wondering about a similar battleship struck down in the attack on Pearl Harbor that bears the name of our state: the U.S.S. Oklahoma. Fortunately, last week a Memorial was dedicated to the memory of those servicemen serving on the Oklahoma battleship.

Many people know of the great tragedy that occurred during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, but few are versed in the history of the U.S.S. Oklahoma. The Oklahoma battleship was one of the first ships struck unexpectedly by torpedoes, the force of which caused the ship to roll over and sink deeper to into the harbor. Hundreds of servicemen were trapped in the overturned wreckage - some were able to be cut free from it, while others swam out to safety. But, despite the daring efforts of Navy Yard employees and sailors to save their fellow servicemen, the damage was staggering. By the end of the attack, 429 marines and sailors had been killed in the surprise attack, a death toll that was second only to the losses of the U.S.S. Arizona.

Over fifty years later, a serious effort was begun by individuals who wanted to preserve the memory of the Oklahoma and its crew. Many of them were survivors of the attack at Pearl Harbor, sharing compelling stories and expressing a sincere desire to see a memorial built. Their impassioned efforts served as a rallying point for Oklahomans to work together and begin the process of acquiring the necessary approval and resources to build it. I was proud to do my part and help insert language into a federal bill that authorized the creation of a U.S.S. Oklahoma Memorial at Pearl Harbor. It has been an incredible experience to see the Memorial move from an idea to a reality.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt said that December 7th, 1941, will rightly be remembered as a "day that will live in infamy." The story of the struggle, bravery and loss of men on the U.S.S. Oklahoma will now be remembered eternally as well. With the appropriate site for reflection in place, future generations of Oklahomans and individuals from across the world will be able to honor the men who served on the U.S.S. Oklahoma and ensure that their sacrifice is not forgotten. The ground breaking and completion of this Memorial was the first and last official event of a year long Oklahoma Centennial Celebration. This event was a testament to how deeply Oklahomans appreciate and honor, not only our state, but the men and women who defend the United States of America. Those values and patriotic beliefs are just one more reason why all of us should be proud to call Oklahoma home.