By YM/SGT Mayumi Nissi Inso Music City (TN) Seventy six years after the attacks on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, Music City (TN) Young Marines had the opportunity to meet the battleship USS Missouri, oth- erwise known as BB-63 but more popu- larly known as the “Mighty Mo”. It was an amazing opportunity to be there! Not only did we get to get to meet the ship,but we also had the opportunity to raise the colors on board. I learned how at the height of the invasion, valor and integ- rity still shone on board the Mighty Mo. It still has many things that the history books don’t teach, even after seventy six years. Mighty Mo commands the seascape miles before you get there. Having a displacement of 45,000 tons, a length of 270.4 meters, the size of this battleship alone can leave one in awe. With an armament of nine 16-inch, twenty 5-inch, eighty 40 millimeter, and forty-nine 20 millime- ter weapons there is no doubting the “Mighty Mo” name. Mr. David happily greeted us aboard the ship. He briefed us about the rules on board and then gave us a general lesson on the history of the ship. I was given the chance to lower the colors that day, such an excit- ing way to start our overnight stay! Di- vision 6 Young Marine of the Year Sgt. Maj. Saucedo recited the Old Glory as we folded the flag neatly then handed it over to Mr. David. He then showed us the bunks we would be sleeping in. The rest of our stay was spent discovering every corner of the battleship, a ship filled with lessons, memories and history. Did you know the battleship was not only in one war, but three? World War II, the Korean War and (after it was modernized), Operation Desert Storm. The ship had the honor of be- coming the last battleship built and the last active battleship in the world. On the tour we also learned about the Japanese pi- lot who intentionally crashed into the side of the Mighty Mo. Instead of letting anger and hatred predominate, which would have been understandable at that time, he was instead given a proper military buri- al at sea. Captain Callaghan ordered this out of respect for a fellow soldier fight- ing for his country. Years after the war, the mother of the pilot sent a thank you letter and memorabilia for that magnan- imous act. On the morning of December 7th, the Music City Young Marines raised the col- ors on board the USS Missouri, seventy- six years after the Pearl Harbor attacks.It was an overwhelming feeling and proud moment for all of us. As we bade good- bye to the ship, v we held on to its les- sons in history and memories we have had. We have realized it was more than a battleship. It holds value beyond com- prehension. From its massive size and armaments, service in three wars and the valor and integrity of its crews, we can proudly say, “We have met the Mighty Mo!” Music City: Memorable Meeting the “Mighty Mo”, the USS Missouri BY YM/LCpl Landon McGrew and YM/LCpl Lee Jaques North San Diego (CA) The North San Diego (CA) Young Marines took the opportunity to spend the night aboard the U.S.S. Mis- souri in Pearl Harbor. Some other units were there with us. We had a tour of every area of the ship.There was a re-enactment ceremony on the Surrender Deck. There is a plaque on the very spot that the Japanese surren- dered to end the war in the Pacific. We ate in the galley and slept in the berthing area. On Dec. 7th, Pearl Harbor Day, we woke up on the ship. It was very calm and peaceful in the early morning. We had the honor to raise the morning colors on the back of the ship and keep the flag. One of the guides played his guitar for us. It was one of the best experiences of our trip. Everyone who goes to Pearl Harbor should try to stay aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. North San Diego: We Spent the Night Aboard the USS Missouri YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 27