"It's hard to put into words," Robert Valley said. "I get a little emotional. It's something our next generations will be able to see to know something about what happened that day."

That day was Dec. 7, 1941. Japanese torpedoes slammed into the Oklahoma. The battleship capsized and 429 Marines and sailors died.

Valley's older brother was among them. So was Greg Tislow's grandfather.

"We'll never forget what he did for us and our country," Tislow said.

For years Tislow and other relatives of USS Oklahoma victims have wanted a monument built at Ford Island. Now they have one.

"The USS Oklahoma will no longer be neglected or forgotten and the sacrifices made by all who experienced that fateful day will no longer go unnoticed." said Lisa Ridge.

Her grandfather was a victim. The memorial consists of 429 white marble pillars bearing the names of the dead crew men.

The four rows of seven-foot tall standards meet at a point. The design resembles the bow of the ship.

"I've been moved to tears," said Edward Vezey, a USS Oklahoma survivor.

The movement to build the monument at Ford Island began in Oklahoma. About 200 Oklahomans attended the ceremony. Many of them are related to the deceased.

"It's been a long time coming. Finally, we got it," Valley said.

Mission accomplished.

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