This Veterans Day — this coming Friday — is special. On that day, the entire world begins two years of commemorations leading up to Nov. 11, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the horrors of World War I.
Mark the opening of the countdown with us on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., the traditional 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. We will gather at Hawaii’s official World War I monument, the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki.
This is the 20th year that Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616 has organized a Veterans Day observance at the Natatorium. The event is event dedicated to all our veterans, and particularly to those who were from or served in Hawaii.
Gathering at the Natatorium also provides a special opportunity to remember 10,000 volunteers from our then-Territory of Hawaii who served in World War I. More than 100 of them died in that first global conflict.
One of this year’s speakers is Brenden Bliss, a member of Hawaii’s World War I Centennial Task Force and a military history instructor at Hawaii Pacific University. His address is titled Why We Remember. Francis Riddell, commander of American Legion Post 17, will present this year’s reading of the famous World War I poem In Flanders Fields.
Here are the details:
What: Veterans Day Observance
When: Friday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.
Where: Outside the War Memorial Natatorium, Waikiki, 2815 Kalakaua Ave.
Who: Sponsored by VFW Post 8616, with support from American Legion Post 17 and the Friends of the Natatorium
Motorcycle roll-in
All are welcome. Motorcyclists can also join the Post 17 Chapter of American Legion Riders in a ceremonial ride to the gathering at the War Memorial. Information is available here.
Mahalo for your support of our veterans. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.
