<P> On May 6, 2018, boat transportation to the memorial was suspended after one of the vessel operators noticed a crack on its outside . Although repairs were made, the cracks reappeared . On May 26, 2018, the memorial was closed indefinitely . </P> <P> Every United States Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine vessel entering Pearl Harbor participates in the tradition of "manning the rails ." 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 . </P> <P> The Arizona is no longer in commission, but is an active U.S. military cemetery . As survivors of the attack on the Arizona pass away, many choose either to have their ashes scattered in the water over the ship, or to have their urns placed within the well of the barbette of Turret No. 4 . As a special tribute to the ship and her lost crew, the United States flag flies from the flagpole, which is attached to the severed mainmast of the sunken battleship . The Arizona memorial is one of the nine major historical sites incorporated into the wide - ranging World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, established by Congress in 2008 and dedicated on December 7, 2010 . </P> <P> Since it was formally dedicated in 1962, every U.S. President has made a pilgrimage to the memorial, presenting a wreath and scattering flowers over the Arizona in honor of the Americans who perished there . On 27 December, 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe visited the memorial with President Barack Obama and paid respects to fallen service members there . Abe is the first Prime Minister of Japan to visit the USS Arizona memorial, 75 years after the Japanese attack . The visit was hailed by President Obama as "a historic gesture of reconciliation ." </P>

What is the pearl harbor memorial made of