If you couldn't make it: TV highlights of the Natatorium Memorial Day observance

Mahalo to everyone who came out to remember our nation’s honored war dead Sunday at the 23rd annual Memorial Day Observance at the Natatorium.

If you were unable to make it, you missed a wonderful tribute to the men and women on whose sacrifices a nation is built. Here are some highlights of television coverage of the ceremony:

In KITV’s story, Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen, commander of U.S. Marines in the Pacific, is quoted calling the Natatorium “a visible reminder of the price paid over the course of history to ensure that we, and our sons and our daughters, all thrive in a land of freedom and opportunity.”

Gen. Thiessen was also quoted in a report on Hawaii News Now (KHNL and KGMB), saying, “If you understand Memorial Day, you understand why we’re here. People gave all so we could be here and have what we have. It’s now our turn.” Hawaii News Now also picked up this line from Ron Oba, veteran of World War II’s heroic 442nd Regimental Combat Team: “This War Memorial Natatorium not only honors the more than 10,000 men and women from Hawaii who volunteered to serve in World War I. It’s really a memorial that reminds us that freedom is not free.”

Ron Oba was also quoted in KHON’s coverage: “Memorial Day is not only a holiday, but is a day when we respect all our good friends, especially veterans who gave their all and died to preserve the liberty and freedom of Americans.”

Natatorium Memorial Day Service Broadcast Schedule

You’ll be able to see more from the observance on ‘Ōlelo Community Media . NOTE as of June 26: Airdates have been changed. The new scheduled airdates are:

Tuesday, June 28: 1 p.m. on OAHU 52
Thursday, June 30: 12 noon on FOCUS 49
Friday, July 1: 10 a.m. on OAHU 52
Saturday, July 2: 6 p.m. on OAHU 52

To view the program online, check out Oahu 52 and Focus 49 web streams at http://www.olelo.org/whatsonolelo/.

Thanks again to everyone who came out for this wonderful service; to our eloquent and inspirational speakers; to our talented service members, singers, dancers, and other participants; and to all the many volunteers who made possible a most meaningful Sunday morning at the Natatorium.