Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner | 160530-N-WC566-146 Honolulu (May 30, 2016) Rona F. Adams a member of the Vietnam...... read more read more
Subscribe
Service members, veterans, distinguished guests and spectators gathered for the 67th annual Memorial day ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, at Punchbowl, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, May 30.
The ceremony commenced with a Hawaiian ‘Oli (chant) by Kahu (minister) Dean Kapuni Harvest, followed by the posting of the 50 state flags by Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets and the posting of the National Colors performed by the U.S. Pacific Command Joint Service Color Guard.
Caldwell delivered an address to honor the men and women who are buried at the memorial, and the sacrifices they made.
“It’s so very peaceful and very beautiful, and it’s hard to reconcile the pain and the horror that our brave service members faced when they were in the mist of battle, the last measures they took to reach this most hollowed ground and the family and friends they left behind to save all of us,” said Caldwell.
According to Caldwell, approximately 2,500 local, boy and girl scouts, participated in decorating each grave at Punchbowl with a lei.
“We asked for 38,000 leis and we got 43,000. They came from all over the city, every single island delivered to firehouses, to satellite city halls and then they were brought here,” said Caldwell. “For those who make leis, they know that you have to go pick the flowers then you have to string those flowers. As you do, you’re putting your love, your mana, and your thoughts into this lei, in turn, imparting that love and gratitude to the men and women who served and are buried here at punchbowl.”
Guest speaker, Adm. Harry B. Harris, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, also made remarks and told the stories of four service members who recently made the ultimate sacrifice and called Hawaii home.
“Memorial day speeches often harken back to those great defining conflicts of the 20th century, World Wars I and II, Korean and Vietnam, and rightfully so,” said Harris. “But today I want us to reflect on the fact that America has been at war for most of the 21st century, and I would like us take a minute to remember the few local men who were killed during Operation Enduring Freedom. These men were our neighbors here in Hawaii, our guardians, and now they are our heroes. Remember them, our neighbors who lived among us oh so recently. Each had their own unique story, each was someone’s son or brother, husband or friend, and each gave his last full measure.”
The ceremony continued with the an initial wreath presented by Hawaii Governor David Y. Ige, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, Caldwell and Harris, and was followed by a procession of presented wreaths from Veterans and other organizations.
The ceremony wrapped up with a Three Volley Rifle Salute performed by the U.S. Air Force Hickam Honor Guard, Taps performed by U.S. Navy Musician 1st Class Brandon Barbee, and a F-22 Raptor Flyover by Hickam Air Force Base's, Hawaiian Raptors.
“The many thousands of patriots interred here, around us and amongst us, serve as a vivid reminder of whom and of what we must remember,” said Harris. “If we fail to ritualize and evangelize this day and this purpose, we risk forgetting all of these patriots. A byzantine emperor famously said ‘a nation that forgets its defenders will soon be itself forgotten.’ The sacrifices we saw in the wars of the 20th century we can still see in the present day.”
| Date Taken: | 05.30.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2016 16:47 |
| Story ID: | 199619 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, City of Honolulu Holds 67th Annual Memorial Day Celebration at Punchbowl, by PO2 Gabrielle Joyner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
