Grave sites, memorials, national monuments, or any other place sacred or important to the country, state or region must not be approached within a five mile radius of its location or within the designated limit. (The Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii has an approach limit of 500 feet. Anything closer is considered trespassing on federal property. Only those who have gained permission from the state and federal governments may enter the zone.)

Protecting a Grave Site

Missouri dosed in the evening sun of Hawaii. All around her were the sounds of a busy naval harbor. She was undergoing a multi-million dollar overhaul in drydock before being moved back to her permanent berth at Ford Island.

With her arrival here at Pearl Harbor, she completed the circle of war. At one end was Arizona, defeated, crushed, and tragic. On the other end was her, strong, broad-shouldered, victorious, a symbol of peace to the world. She had lived here since 1998, over 10 years now.

The days of fighting were behind her. Her last call of action was in 1990 for Operation Desert Storm, and after 30 years sitting in Mothballs she was only too happy to answer it. Her sisters quickly joined her. Missouri sighed.

Her sisters had also been turned into museums. 'Wisky' Wisconsin was now in Norfolk Virginia. 'The Black Dragon' New Jersey was in her home state at Camden. And 'The Big Stick' Iowa was in Lost Angeles undergoing a several yearlong overhaul while awaiting opening day.

Gone was the reign of the battleship. Since the end of WWII, the carrier had proved itself the reigning champion of naval warfare.

A group of people, fresh off the buses brought her back to reality. Missouri had agreed to move to Hawaii for the islands legendary tranquility but for a celebrity like her, there was never any peace and quiet.

As the group got closer, Missouri recognized a few people. Brooklyn Decker, Liam Nieson, and pop singer Rihanna were among them. Director Peter Berg could speak Shiptongue as his father was in the navy and spoke the language. He explained to her about the latest film. Battleship pitted the military against a group of malevolent aliens. She rolled her eyes.

"Are there any other kind?" She asked. He smiled. "ET." He replied. She shook her head in disgust, she never liked ET.

"Ok, what's the deal?" She asked. He went on to describe the plot and how she'd fit into it. "So basically all is lost and the old Tin Can comes in to save the day?" She asked. "Pretty much." He replied.

Missouri grinned. "I likie." She said. He laughed.

It wasn't long before she was ready to be launched again. This time, instead of going straight to Ford Island, she was going outside Pearl Harbor to film for Berg's movie so the shots wouldn't have land in the way.

Missouri couldn't wait to get out. She strained against the lines holding her to the tugs. She tried to start her engines but found to her disappointment that they'd been disabled.

"To keep you from running away." Berg said. "Humph." She muttered. They practiced for hours and only when it got dark did Missouri return to Pearl.

As she approached the entrance, she sensed something was wrong. Her eyes fell on a group of drunken men fooling around on Arizona's decks, the water barely up to their knees.

"Hey!" She called. One looked up. "Well Missouri, long time since I've seen you out and about. Come to join us?" He asked. "No I have not." She replied. "I'm here to remind you that you are on federal property and must leave immediately." She replied, her tone firm.

"Federal property? I don't recall the navy being excluded from their ship." He snorted. Missouri gritted her teeth. "Not only is USS Arizona federal property, she is a national historic monument and a wartime grave." She growled.

"Well its peacetime now babe." He said. The others laughed. "Nice one, Dan." They said. One clapped him on the back.

The tugs moved Missouri forward slowly, their faces grim and determined. Although she'd been decommissioned from the navy, that didn't make her any less menacing.

"I'm going to ask this one last time. Leave now and you'll not be harmed." She snapped. "Is that a threat?" The talkative one, Dan asked, taking a step forward towards Missouri. The others shifted nervously. "Dan, be careful." One whispered.

"I'd listen to your friend." She said. "Is that a threat?" He repeated. "Do you really wanna find out?" Missouri asked dangerously. He paused and after a few seconds, turned around and with his friends, dove off Arizona and returned to the shore.

"See what happens when I leave my post? I'm supposed to guard Arizona 24-7." She growled to Berg. "Sorry, Mo. I never should've taken you out." He said. "It's not your fault. I was slacking on the job." She replied.

She docked and stared at the fallen leviathan in front of her. "I'm so sorry." She whispered and closing her eyes, she fell asleep.

In her dream, she was sailing on starlit waters. Ahead of her waiting was another battleship, her gray eyes bright and sad. She dipped her head as Missouri approached.

"It's been too long, Mo." She said. "Aren't you mad at me?" Missouri asked. "Not in the slightest." Arizona replied. "But I failed to protect you." Missouri cried.

"You can't protect something that no longer requires it." Arizona said. "Those creeps disturbed the resting place of 1400 sailors. My job was to insure that didn't happen." Missouri growled.

"Your job is to watch, not defend." Missouri looked surprised but Arizona went on. "You watch, but don't interfere." She said.

"You may be dead but you're my friend Arizona, my comrade and I will protect you, even in death." Missouri replied.

Arizona's eyes glowed bright. "Thank you, Missouri." She whispered. She nuzzled her. Missouri lightly brushed her bow against Arizona's cheek. The gray eyes closed and Arizona sighed.

"I love you." She whispered. Missouri nuzzled her side and replied "As do I." Darkness fell over them and Missouri woke to the tropical sounds and smells of Oahu. She woke just in time to greet her first tourists.

Peter Berg was one of them. "I've got someone here who has something to say to you." He muttered just loud enough for only her to hear. She nodded. The man in the shadows stepped forward, it was the SEAL named Dan from last night.

He didn't hesitate before talking. Clearly his mouth wasn't just yapping when he was drunk. "I'm sorry for partying where I wasn't supposed to. It was wrong and extremely disrespectful for us to do that." He said.

"Let me tell you something. Not only could I see you partying but I could see your comrades beginning to join you. Captain van Valkenburg was having trouble keeping them in line. They know the rules, they cannot be seen and they very nearly were." She said.

His eyes widened. "You could see them?" He asked. "When you've seen as much death and destruction as I have, you get that extra sense that allows you to see the paranormal." She explained.

He shook his head. "Incredible." He whispered. "Nevertheless, you disturbed a sacred grave site. I thank you for apologizing but this must not happen again. The dead should be left to rest in peace." She ordered.

He nodded. "Those men have paid the ultimate price for this nation. They deserve their rest." He agreed. At that moment, Missouri could see a stream of clear vapor rising from Arizona and resolve itself into the shape of a sailor. It was Captain Van Valkenburg. "Thank you, both of you." He whispered and vanished.

A few weeks later, Missouri asked her deputy, Virginia, about an addition to the naval code. This one about the protection of grave sites.

Her deputy readily agreed. "You're wisdom only grows with your years, Missouri." She said. Missouri smiled. "As does yours, Virginia." She replied and together, the two watched over Arizona's grave which was never disturbed again.