Plan to be there: The Natatorium’s Memorial Day Observance, May 29

More reasons to look forward to the 23rd annual Memorial Day Observance at the Natatorium on Sunday, May 29, at 10 a.m.:

–We will hear from World War II veteran Ronald M. Oba. Ron, now 88, was a member of F Company of the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the all-Japanese-American U.S. Army unit that fought in Italy, southern France and Germany and became the most decorated regiment in the history of the U.S. military. The retired hospital administrator is a former president of the 442nd Veterans Club and former editor of the 442nd Go for Broke Bulletin, named after the unit’s well-known motto. Ron is also author of the book The Men of Company F .

— Though the ceremony starts at 10 a.m., early arrivals will be treated to a performance by singer Rodney Cazimero and his sister, dancer Kanoe Cazimero. The prelude begins at 9:30 a.m.

— Children from the kindergarten class at Waikiki Elementary School will be on hand to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of Hawaii Pono’i.

All this in addition to our previously announced participants: keynote speaker Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, commander of U.S. Marines in the Pacific; a Marine Corps rifle detail and color guard; Hula Halau Olana; and the Prince Kuhio Civic Club Chorale.

Remember the Natatorium Memorial Day Observance takes place on Sunday (not Monday!), May 29, at 10 a.m. in Kapiolani Park at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Covered seating is available. All are welcome. Veterans and civic groups are invited to hang their banners on the tents.

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

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 Memorial Day Weekend to ensure that the nation’s dead from all wars are remembered and honored in this important place.

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