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Recognition, restoration and the USS Arizona Memorial
Last year, 2011, marked the 50th Anniversary of the Benefit concert to help raise funds for the building of the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Initiated by Colonel Tom Parker to coincide with the film production of Blue Hawaii in response to a story he read about the efforts in the Los Angeles Examiner, it was a project that Elvis, Scotty and the rest were proud to be involved with and the Pacific War Memorial Commission was truly appreciative of their efforts.
At a press conference on the day of and prior to the show, Elvis was presented with several awards in recognition, one an "Outstanding American Award" and another a USS Arizona Memorial "Award of Honor."
Though the concert financially only raised $64,696.73 of the projected $500,000 needed, it increased public awareness for the stalled effort and provided the jumpstart necessary to make completion a reality.
Always proud of his part in the effort and in respect of its purpose, Elvis, with friends and family, visited the Memorial several times in the years that followed.
Unfortunately, in recent years some fans have become disillusioned that Elvis had not been properly acknowledged for his efforts, or at least not as he once was presumed to be. The misconception generally involves a reputed "plaque" said to be no longer on display. We hope that the following explanation addresses those concerns: After the Memorial was built, what is now the "flag room," the area that visitors first walk into when they board the Memorial, was an informal museum. The museum included the Arizona bell, a detailed model of the ship, and several displays about the Memorial's construction. A framed certificate was hung on the wall in this area and thanked the many individuals and organizations that raised money to build the Memorial, including Elvis' Bloch Arena concert. Eventually, all of these items--with the exception of the bell, which is on visitor center grounds--were moved inside the original museum to save them from the effects of salt water.
Today the awards Elvis received for the concert, along with others are still displayed at Graceland. At 50 years old this past May, the Memorial is part of the National Park Service-managed WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument. Pacific Historic Parks supports the NPS through bookstore sales, membership donations, and grant acquisition.
The Shrine Room Wall lists the 1,177 Marines and Sailors who lost their lives aboard the Arizona on December 7, 1941. It is visited by over 1.5 million people each year. Additionally there is a smaller wall in the Shrine room listing the names of the Arizona's survivors who upon death chose to have their ashes ceremoniously placed back into the ship to rejoin their fallen shipmates in their final resting place. Given the continued exposure to elements and foot traffic of more than 50 million visitors the Memorial is in need of an extensive restoration, including the deteriorating Shrine Room Wall.
Earlier this year Elvis fans again stepped up, helping raise funds for the restoration efforts. Visit Pacific Historic Parks on Facebook or their website at PacificHistoricParks.org to see how you too can help. added December 7, 2012 Special thanks to Ray Sandla, Publications/Special Projects, Pacific Historic Parks for his assistance with this page.
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