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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Archives for Friends of the Natatorium
Veterans Day 2012 at the Natatorium: Photos
Mahalo to all who were able to attend the annual Veterans Day observance at the Natatorium on Sunday. And aloha to all who were there with us in spirit! It was a wonderful occasion, organized as always by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616, with special support this year from the Riders of American Legion Post 17 and their motorcycles. The Friends of the Natatorium are honored to work with these outstanding veterans of service to our nation, some in World War II seven decades ago. A few select photos can be found here. Or you can see our entire
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You are invited: Veterans Day at the Natatorium
In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice went into effect, ending World War I, known then as the Great War. After World War II, the annual Nov. 11 commemoration of that moment – until then known as Armistice Day – became Veterans Day. Since then, the holiday has recognized the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guards of all U.S. wars. Still, World War I holds a special place in observances that day. In many places, we observe two consecutive minutes of silence at 11 a.m. local time. The first is
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Star-Advertiser editorial supports governor on Natatorium
The Star-Advertiser editorialized Saturday morning in support of Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s plan to take back control of the War Memorial Natatorium from the city and county of Honolulu and explore alternatives to demolition. As the governor’s press secretary, Donalyn Dela Cruz, said in an earlier Star-Advertiser news story, “The governor believes it’s time for it to be fixed, or have a purpose.” The Friends of the Natatorium are deeply appreciative of the governor’s stepping up to finally and conclusively address an issue that’s been on and off politicians’ radar screens since the 1970s. We also very much appreciate the Star-Advertiser’s
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Guest post: Happy 85th birthday, Natatorium!
Donna L. Ching, vice president of the Friends of the Natatorium, submitted this letter to the editor of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser marking today’s 85th anniversary of the opening of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Eighty-five years ago, on Aug. 24, 1927, Duke Kahanamoku dove in to take the ceremonial first swim at the War Memorial Natatorium. In his wake came other Olympians, swimming celebrities and generations of keiki and kupuna swimmers. The Natatorium was the jewel of Waikiki and the pride of Hawai’i. It was the site of international swimming competitions. It was a place of relaxation and fun for
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Mahalo, Mary-Jane McMurdo, true friend of the Natatorium
You may have heard by now that Mary-Jane McMurdo, former Hawai’i state senator and longtime civic activist, died over the weekend at age 88. Sen. McMurdo was well-known as a champion of affordable housing, coastline and open space preservation, the environment, women’s health and women’s rights, among other important causes. We at the Friends of the Natatorium also remember her, most fondly, as one of our own. In 1986, shortly after the Friends group was incorporated, charter board member Joan Apo approached Mary-Jane to ask her support for our effort to save, restore and reopen the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.
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Welcome, new Natatorium Friends director Fred Wong!
Aloha and welcome aboard to the newest member of the Friends of the Natatorium board of directors: Fred Wong. Fred, a lifelong resident of Hawai’i, is a very youthful and energetic 86 years old. He brings the perspective of an active veterans leader to efforts to bring back a memorial that, after all, was built specifically to honor veterans and their comrades who died in war. A former technical sergeant in the Air Force, Fred served in the Asia-Pacific Theater during World War II. His last active-duty assignments were with the Hawaiian Air Defense System; he was an Air Force
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Memorial Service at the Natatorium: Another perspective
The Hawai’i Vacation Blog is out today with its commentary on last weekend’s Memorial Day Service at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. The blog’s Alyssa Navares focuses on one important point by Gen. Gary L. North, the Pacific Air Forces commander who delivered the keynote address at the 24th annual event. Gen. North talked about the significance of the simple words “The War Memorial” on the Natatorium’s entrance, and the assumption after “the War to End All Wars” that there would never be a need for another such monument to fallen military men and women. An assumption that, sadly, we
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More Natatorium Memorial Day photos!
The consensus: It was one of the best ever. The 24th annual Memorial Day Service at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Just the right combination of solemn reflection, joyful performance and precision military pageantry. Just the right combination of revered older veterans and starry-eyed young dancers, singers and Pledge of Allegiance leaders. Just the right setting. Just the right weather. Just the right way to honor our nation’s war dead and veterans. And, especially, just the perfect way to commemorate the more than 10,000 from Hawai’i who volunteered for “The Great War,” World War I. They are the ones, after
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Photos from the Natatorium Memorial Day service (and mahalo nui!)
Mahalo to everyone who came out for the 24th annual Memorial Day Service at the Natatorium! We want to thank our engaging speakers, Gen. Gary North, VA health care executive Tom Driskill and centenarian Young Fun Choy (represented by his daughter, Jan). Thanks also to Aaron Ho, the Air Force Honor Guard, Chaplain Anthony Wiggins for his moving invocation and benediction, Olana Ai and her keiki hula dancers, and musicians (including Cyril Pahinui) who made the ceremony so special. And we especially want to thank all the veterans who came out to remember their fallen comrades with us. It was
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