Post: What not to say at a memorial

When my brother Bruce and I visited Hawaii with our family a few years ago, we had the opportunity of experiencing the big island and Oahu.  It was a great trip.  I loved walking the crater at Volcanoes National Park, staying in a rainforest, snorkeling, horseback riding, and just relaxing after my trip to Central Asia.  I wish I could have a house in Hawaii someday, and perhaps someday I will.

We also had a chance to visit Pearl Harbor.  Interestingly, we walked around  inside and outside the The Arizona, the ship where the Japanese surrendered. We were there  on the anniversary of their surrender.   There were American flags everywhere and I was told, a huge group of press in attendance earlier in the day during the ceremony.

In addition, we saw the memorial to the Missouri.  The memorial is in the water above the wreckage of the destroyed ship.   I was annoyed that some  tourists were making smiley faces in the memorial and flashing peace signs, and I felt they should be a bit more respectful considering there were many Americans who died underneath the waters.  Perhaps I was a being a bit sensitive, but I felt anyone at a memorial should be more aware.  You never know whose family member perished during the attack.

There were also droplets of oil that still leak up to the surface even more than fifty years later.  Some people have asked why they don’t plug up the holes, but it is a reminder of the destruction and loss of life. and to never forget our soldiers sacrifice.

Before we actually got to the Missouri however, we all saw a brief film at the Pearl Harbor museum which is on shore.  My brother Bruce and I were both wearing US Marine hats, and an Asian tour guide  possibly Japanese-American took a liking to us, and told us the dumbest questions any tourist has ever asked him.

“What did they they say?” I asked the man.

“Well,” he began. “One person asked, ‘Why don’t they move the memorial closer to Waikiki beach so it will be more convenient for the tourists.’ “

“They didn’t realize that people died there, and it would involve desecrating a grave.” He informed us.

“Wow.” I simply said.

“And that’s not even the worst one,” he began.  “The dumbest thing any tourist asked me was, ‘After we see the Missouri and the Arizona, can you show us where the Japanese dropped the atomic bomb?’ “

“I was so angry,” he told us. “That I squeezed my hands into tight fists and told my co-worker to answer their question  and I stormed off.”

Bruce and I were shocked and amazed.  We thanked the guide for his patience and help, and shook his hand in appreciation.

I turned to Bruce and said, “ A lot of ignorant people out there, and to think their vote counts the same as mine.”

“Yes,” Bruce replied. “That’s what it’s like to live in a free country. We have to take the good with the bad, the smart and the dumb, and people from all walks of life.  Our diversity makes us great, freedom of speech, freedom from tyranny.”

“And vacations are vacation from everything else,” I said.  “Freedom from work, freedom from our diets, and a time to get away from a few of the misinformed for a while.”

Bruce nodded in agreement, and we headed to see the Missouri.

Life Lesson 66: It’s important to learn tolerance, but even more valuable to learn acceptance of others.  That some people will always be foolish, but It is equally to try and change them. Instead just chalk it up to ignorance.  Also, remember to learn the lessons of history so we don't repeat them.