A Pearl and Its Perils!

History is what made us and why we are here today. One place that stands out in history  and really makes you think is Pearl Harbour, Hawaii.

The harbour is still abuzz with military. What lays beneath the harbour is there for us to remember.

Today you can take a boat tour which gives the insight of what happened on the morning of December 7th 1941. The Japanese launched a surprise air attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbour. After just two hours of bombing, more than 2,400 Americans were dead, 21 ships had either been sunk or damaged, and more than 188 U.S. aircraft destroyed. This led to the involvement of United States in WW2.

One battleship, USS Arizona has oil leaking from the wreckage and is still seen rising to the surface of the water. This oil is sometimes referred to as "The tears of the  Arizona" or "black tears" Over 1000 lives on this Battleship alone were lost. Names on a marble wall in the memorial list those who were killed, there is a smaller plaque nearby with the names of survivors. The survivors that passed after this event gave their permission and had families permission to have their ashes to be placed  in a canister and a interred in the wreck of the USS Arizona. The canister was placed there by US Naval divers.

Near the USS Arizona Memorial is another battleship called, USS Missouri. It was moved from the West Coast of United States in 1999. One part this battleship's place in history is very important. It is where the surrender took place on it's decks from the Japanese to Douglas Mac Arthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz, ending WW2.

Strangely today, these battleships are close to each other - A beginning and a ending to ww2 for the Americans.

Today, every United States Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine vessel entering Pearl Harbour participates in the tradition of "manning the rails." This is where personnel serving on these ships stand at attention at the ship's guard rails and salute the USS Arizona Memorial in solemn fashion as their ship slowly glides into port.

So if you are in Hawaii a visit to Pearl Harbour should be on your list of places to see. 

The day I visited Pearl Harbour, I stopped at a little place and remember eating a strange sandwich called "Ruben Sandwich." It was so yummy! Here is my own version, I hope you enjoy it. 


Bernadette's Ruben Sandwich

Ingredients

Per sandwich you will need
2  slices of Rye bread
1 teaspoon of butter
4 thin slices of corned beef
A quarter of a cup of sauerkraut (pickled cabbage)
2 slices of Swiss cheese
1 teaspoon of French mustard 


Method
 
Spread 2 slices of rye bread lightly with butter. This is for the outside of the sandwich for when cooking.
Spread the inside of one slice of rye bread with the mustard.
Top this with corned beef, sauerkraut and lastly, the Swiss cheese.
Place the other piece of bread on top and now toast in a grill or fry pan.
The bread should slightly brown and the middle will warm with the cheese melting.

Serve with potato chips and a pickle cucumber(dill pickle).