USS Arizona Survivor Interred Aboard Ship [VIDEO]

USS Arizona Survivor Interred Aboard Ship [VIDEO]

There’s a reason Shakespeare’s quote from Henry V has lived on. It’s because every man or woman who has ever fought in combat instantly understands the meaning.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition

There is a camaraderie born of battle that no civilian can ever fully understand. And nowhere is that more highlighted when a survivor of the USS Arizona is laid to rest at the memorial in Pearl Harbor.

Information plaque onboard the USS Arizona Memorial, describing the interment of survivors. (photo taken by author, July 2016)

Raymond Haerry was interred on the ship in a ceremony that his granddaughter says was solemn and beautiful.

Haerry was 19 years old when bombs started falling on his battleship on Dec. 7, 1941. He never returned to Pearl Harbor while he lived because the memories were too painful. As he neared the end of his life, he told his family he’d like to be laid to rest there.

Haerry died Sept. 27 in Rhode Island at age 94. Five Arizona survivors remain.

Haerry’s granddaughter, Jessica Marino, traveled from New Jersey to Hawaii with her family for Saturday’s ceremony. She handed his urn to divers, who placed it within the ship’s sunken hull. Hundreds of sailors and Marines are entombed there.

“That was the point at which I kind of lost it,” Marino said. “It was really sad, but also really sweet to see. It was amazing.”

Only USS Arizona survivors can be interred on the ship. Haerry served for 25 years in the Navy, retiring as a master chief.

He’s the 42nd survivor to rejoin his shipmates, according to the National Park Service.

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