Mark your calendar: Natatorium Memorial Day observance on May 29

You are invited to the
23rd ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
AT THE WAIKIKI WAR MEMORIAL NATATORIUM
Sunday, May 29, 10 a.m. [Note: Sunday, not Monday]

Please join the Friends of the Natatorium for this poignant and meaningful ceremony, which is open to all. Covered seating will be available.

The observance, sponsored by the Friends since 1989, recognizes the sacrifice of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guards and the triumph of the freedom and democratic values they fought to defend.

Taps is played at the 2010 observance.

This year’s event keynote speaker is Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, commander, U.S. Marine Forces Pacific. A Marine Corps rifle detail and color guard, Hula Halau Olana, the Prince Kuhio Civic Club Chorale and others will contribute their talents to the occasion.

The Friends of the Natatorium is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, the state’s official memorial to the more than 10,000 men and women from Hawai’i who fought — and the 101 who died — for the cause of freedom in World War I. We are proud each year to make certain that the nation’s dead from all wars are remembered and honored in this important place.

Please save the date: Sunday, May 29, 10 a.m., outside the Natatorium at Kapiolani Park in Honolulu.

I ka ‘ole o ka Nu’ukia, pau na Mea Ho’omana’o: “Where there is no vision, memorials perish.”

Here is video from the 2010 Natatorium Memorial Day observance. Photos from the 2010 ceremony are online here.