Mahalo to everyone — everyone! — who took part in a wonderful 17th Veterans Day observance at the Natatorium! A standing-room-only crowd of active duty soldiers, veterans from all branches, Young Marines from Kaneohe and civilians came together just outside the War Memorial’s gates to pay tribute to all those from Hawai’i who have served. They remembered especially the 10,000 World War I soldiers and sailors to whom the Natatorium itself is dedicated. First Photos Here is a look at some pictures of the event, and links to some of the local television coverage. We hope you can see yourself
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Archives for Events
Join Us Monday: The 17th Veterans Day Ceremony at the Natatorium
WHAT and WHEN: At 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, join Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616, other veterans groups, the Friends of the Natatorium and the public for the VFW’s 17th annual Veterans Day Commemoration at the Natatorium. WHY: The armistice ending World War I was signed Nov. 11, 1918, near Compiègne, France, and went into effect later that morning, at what has become legendarily known as the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.” Originally commemorated as Armistice Day, the date has become known in the United States as Veterans Day. WHERE: In Honolulu’s Kapiolani
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Veterans Day: 11-mile Ruck March to Natatorium Honors Those Who've Served
This year’s Veterans Day observance at the Natatorium will be a very special one. A dedicated group of active-duty soldiers has planned a strenuous “ruck march” to the War Memorial in Waikiki, where they will join us to honor Hawai’i’s veterans. The soldiers are inspired to make the 11-mile urban hike to pay tribute to those from Hawai’i who served before them. They’ll muster early the morning of Monday, Nov. 11, at Hickam Field at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. They’ll move out from there and stomp along the streets of Honolulu, loaded down with 45-pound packs and gear. Once they
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Attention, Motorcyclists: Veterans Day Ride to the Natatorium
Motorcycle riders: Mark your calendars for Monday morning, Nov. 11! Hawaii’s American Legion Riders are again organizing a Veterans Day ride to the War Memorial Natatorium to honor and support our veterans, living and deceased. The group aims to recruit 100 bikers to ride with them to kick off the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Natatorium, organized by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616. Logistics Riders will meet at Cycle City and leave for Waikiki at about 0915 (9:15 a.m. for civilians!). Arrival at the Natatorium is scheduled for 1000. Some riders will meet up with and escort a
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The Natatorium Bugle Corps: Enlist Now!
The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is many things: recreation facility, competition venue, gathering space, cultural icon. It is also, first and foremost, a memorial to those who served our nation, especially those from Hawai’i who served in World War I. It was built as a memorial to warriors, and opened as a memorial 86 years ago this month. The beautiful Beaux-Arts-style ocean pool still stands as a memorial, even though as a recreation facility it awaits preservation, restoration and reopening. A memorial is a living thing. Its meaning is expressed in the interactions between the place itself and the people
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Natatorium Big Band Benefit on Video
Our Big Band Benefit for the Natatorium was a huge success: Great crowd, great music, great dancing, and a great time for all. The Harry James Orchestra, led by the superb Fred Radke, was in terrific form. We know that so many of our off-island friends and supporters really wanted to be there. Since you couldn’t come to the show, now we’re bringing the show to you! We sent a camera out onto the dance floor and right up to the bandstand. Here’s an excerpt from the hugely popular “Take the ‘A’ Train:” httpv://vimeo.com/72510151 Mahalo Thanks to everyone who made
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Natatorium Big Band Benefit: Swing Dance with Us on Aug. 11
The legendary Harry James Orchestra – the big band that gave Frank Sinatra his first big break – is coming to Hawai’i to play a benefit for restoration and reopening of the War Memorial Natatorium. Join us to swing dance — or just to listen — on Sunday, Aug. 11, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Honolulu Elks Lodge. NOTE: ADVANCE TICKET SALES HAVE CLOSED. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR FOR $45.
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The 25th Natatorium Memorial Day Service | Sunday, May 26
Inspiring oratory. Celebration in song and dance. Precision military pageantry. The solemn sounding of “Taps.” Most of all: A chance to remember, honor and give thanks. You’ll want to join us for the 25th annual Memorial Day weekend observance at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. It’s at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 26 – the day before Memorial Day – on the Kapiolani Park lawn in front of the Natatorium. Memorial Day weekend is, of course, all about exactly what the War Memorial Natatorium itself is all about: Our obligation never to forget. We remember the sacrifices of those –
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Paddleboard race this Saturday at the Natatorium
Come one, come all and paddle THIS SATURDAY, Dec. 8, in the inaugural Diamond Head Classic Paddleboard Race from the War Memorial Natatorium to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The whole family will have fun on this 2.4-mile downwind run; it’s perfect for everyone from beginners to serious competitors. The Friends of the Natatorium will be there to play Reveille and signal the race’s 11 a.m. start. Details and a printable registration form can be found online here. Questions? Race coordinator Carl Kim can be reached at 808-754-6152. Come to paddle, or come to watch and cheer. It’ll be a blast!
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Video: The Natatorium on Veterans Day 2012
Many of you enjoyed the photos we posted of Sunday’s Veterans Day observance at the Natatorium. But you wanted more: You wanted video… Well, we deliver! Below (and here if you can’t see the embedded video) is a highlight reel, featuring the words of several of the veterans who spoke at the ceremony. Listen to what they have to say. They are quite inspiring. Many thanks to friend of the Natatorium Scott Wong for shooting the video and editing it so that you can have a sense of what we experienced at this important event. Mahalo, Scott! VFW Post 8616
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