Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial

Hawai’i Public Radio’s Adrienne LaFrance was on hand for Sunday’s 22nd annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Natatorium and filed a report that aired Monday and Tuesday.

The story does a fine job of both capturing the spirit of the event and updating listeners on the natatorium issue.

One excerpt from the story seems particularly worth thinking about. It quotes our keynote speaker at Sunday’s ceremony, Lieutenant General Benjamin Mixon, commanding general of the U.S. Army, Pacific.

LaFrance observes that “veterans from World War I, the soldiers the memorial was built to honor, are no longer alive to see it.” But, she continues, General Mixon “says the very purpose of war memorials is to outlive those who lived through the periods they commemorate.”

“In a time when many of our young people are not focused on that history,” the general told LaFrance, it is “easy … for the young people to go to [a] memorial, look at the names that are on the wall of remembrance and they will understand enough about the history of this great country and the sacrifices of all its service members.”

If you missed the HPR story, you can listen to it here.

Mahalo to everyone who joined us at the Natatorium on Sunday for our 22nd annual Memorial Day observance! It was a beautiful day and a memorable morning: thought-provoking addresses by our speakers, Lieutenant General Benjamin Mixon and Kim Napier; beautiful, meaningful vocal and hula performances; the inspirational participation of our military men and women and the King’s Guard; the presence of so many veterans.

Here are just a few photographs from the ceremony. To see more on Flickr, click here. For a slideshow, click here. Another set of photos is available on Picasa here. A Picasa slideshow here.

Thanks again!

Please join us this Sunday morning, May 30, for the 22nd annual Memorial Service at the Waikiki Natatorium.

We remember Hawai’i’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines with music, hula and oratory. And we do so at the place dedicated to their memory by the people of our state.

A music and hula prelude starts at 9:30 a.m. and our moving formal ceremony begins at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “Ku pa’a i ka ho’ihi, ka ho’omana’o, me ka ho’ala,” or “Committed to Respect, Remembrance and Renewal.”

Our keynote speaker, representing veterans and active duty military personnel, will be Lieutenant General Benjamin R. Mixon, Commander, U.S. Army, Pacific, and a highly decorated veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq. General Mixon commands all U. S. Army active and reserve forces across the entire Pacific Theater.

Also speaking will be A. Kim Napier, editor of Honolulu Magazine. Participants include an Air Force honor guard and the King’s Guard Drill Team. There will be performances by Hula Halau Olana, Prince Kuhio Civic Club Chorale, Nalani Olds and others.

All are welcome, and covered seating will be available. Look for the tent in Kapiolani Park right outside the Natatorium’s gate. Bring your family, and invite your friends to join you in showing your respect and admiration for our military men and women. You will be glad you came. Mahalo.