University of Arizona dedicates USS Arizona memorial, launches special exhibit

PHOENIX — The University of Arizona dedicated its memorial to the USS Arizona over the weekend, days before the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and also launched a special exhibit about the battleship.

“This memorial is a fitting contribution to the UA’s tradition of remembering the Arizona and is a wonderful addition to the UA Mall and the life of our campus,” UA President Ann Weaver Hart said to the crowd on Sunday.

“The installation will help all of us to remember the sacrifice of the Arizona’s crew, and our hope is that it inspires gratitude and reminds us of the sacrifice others have made in defense of our freedoms.”

Flyover by 2 A-10 Thunderbolts from Davis-Monthan. At the USS Arizona Mall Memorial Dedication #Tucson #pearlharbor75 pic.twitter.com/XVZx5nUOJq

— Kevin Adger (@K_Adger_TNN) December 4, 2016

UA’s memorial is designed to reflect the size — her deck was 597 feet long and 97 feet wide — of the battleship. The memorial stretches from Old Main to the Krutch Garden and the ship’s deck is echoed by a strip of track material that runs through the grass.

The memorial also includes a brick plaza with 1,177 bronze medallions inscribed with the name, rank and home state of those who died during the attack. Some of them are still entombed inside the ship, which is at the bottom of Pearl Harbor.

“We’ve got to continue on with their legacy and honoring them,” U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) said. “May we remember and not forget.”

Names of Arizona servicemen who perished at Pearl Harbor are read as the USS Arizona's bell is rung .@dailywildcat pic.twitter.com/PlaidzAxpm

— Marissa Heffernan (@_mheffernan) December 4, 2016

A flagpole that is part of the memorial lines up with the Student Union Memorial Center tower, where one of the Arizona’s bells is enshrined. The memorial cost $160,000 to build and was funded by private donations.

The Arizona was one of several battleships lost during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack was one of the main causes the United States entered World War II.

The special exhibit put together by the university recounts the history of the ship, from the time she was christened until she was sank.

The “Life and Legacy of the USS Arizona” exhibit includes champagne bottles used at the christening and memorabilia from some of the battleship’s sports teams.

“There’s a football, a sweater, and a photograph of the rowing team,” exhibit curator Trent Purdy said. “We have also have a number of materials from men who were killed at the bombing of Pearl Harbor.”

For those who do not wish to make the drive, the exhibit is also available online.

A special ceremony will be held at the exhibit on Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

“The Navy ROTC is doing a ceremony to honor the 1,176 men who were killed on the Arizona,” Purdy said. “It’s going to be held at the exact time that the attack occurred, which is 10:55 a.m. Arizona time.”

KTAR’s Bob McClay contributed to this report.

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