[NormsRevenge]

061206-N-4965F-001 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Dec. 6, 2006) - The city lights of Aiea, Hawaii, is the backdrop forUSS Arizona Memorial the morning prior to the joint U.S. Navy/National Park Service ceremony commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. More than 1,500 Pearl Harbor survivors, their families and friends from around the nation will join more than 2,000 distinguished guests and the general public for the annual observance. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

[NormsRevenge]

Pearl Harbor survivor John A. Rauschkolb, 85, right, meets for the first time former Japanese Navy aviator Takeshi Maeda, 85, during the opening ceremony for Pearl Harbor's 65th anniversary symposium at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006 in Honolulu. Maeda's torpedo plane bombed the USS West Virginia which Rauschkolb was aboard on on Dec. 7, 1941. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

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That is a beautiful picture. I have been to the Arizona Memorial several times. Always a moving experience.

I was in Hawaii when "The Final Countdown" came out. It was showing at the Kam II drive in in Aeia Heights. It struck me how ironic the view was. Here I was watching the attack on Pearl Harbor on screen while The Real Thing was less than a mile away and 39 years apart. I still recall that moment. A few years later, I was at Pearl with friends waiting for the launch to the Arizona. The USS Missouri was in Pearl that day. That was a singularly moving sight. To see the two ships best known for our involvement in WW II. The one that was instrumental in getting us into the war and the ship know for our exit from the war. It was unbelievable.

I for one, appreciate the sacrifice all those who were involved in WW II for the defense of this country. That is a debt than can never be repaid.