We are unshakable in our commitment always to honor those who died defending America. This Memorial Day weekend, however, our observance at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki must be a little different. Out of concern for everyone’s safety – and especially for the health of our senior veterans – the Friends of the Natatorium will not hold its traditional ceremony outside the Natatorium this year. Instead, we welcome our friends from Celtic Kula Pipe Band of Hawaii, who will play an appropriate tribute to the fallen at the Natatorium at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, the day before
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Archives for American Legion Riders
Honor Our Veterans, and Observe the WWI Centennial, with Us This Saturday
One hundred years ago this Saturday, the German high command met, hoping to find a way to defeat the Allies before the U.S. Army could flood the Western Front with fresh American troops. Let’s just say that didn’t work out too well for the German high command. Exactly a year later, on Nov. 11, 1918 – 99 years ago this Saturday – the Germans and Allies signed an Armistice. The guns finally fell silent on the Western Front. After more than four years, the horrors of World War I – in which an estimated 15 million to 18 million people
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Photos from the 2017 Natatorium Memorial Day Observance
Those who were there might like a few memories. Those who couldn’t make it this year might like a hint of what it was all about. So here are some photos of the 29th annual Memorial Day observance at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. The occasion was everything the dawn of a beautiful island day had promised. By 10 a.m., veterans, soldiers and sailors, bikers, surfers, regular folk and passersby had gathered at the Natatorium to pay tribute to those who have laid down their lives in war for the United States of America and for its people. In
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Veterans Day at the Natatorium Kicks Off Centenary Countdown
This Veterans Day — this coming Friday — is special. On that day, the entire world begins two years of commemorations leading up to Nov. 11, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the horrors of World War I. Mark the opening of the countdown with us on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., the traditional 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. We will gather at Hawaii’s official World War I monument, the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. This is the 20th year that Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616 has organized
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Honor Veterans at the Natatorium on Wednesday
It’ll be a busy hour on a busy day in the midst of a busy week. But it would be well worth your time to stop by the Veterans Day observance at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. The brief ceremony is scheduled, of course, for 11 a.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 11 – the traditional 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. That’s the day and time in 1918 when the armistice ending World War I took effect. This will be the 19th annual Veterans Day commemoration at the Natatorium sponsored by Honolulu’s Veterans of Foreign Wars
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Join Veterans for Veterans Day at the Natatorium
No more excuses. If you’ve always meant to join the VFW on Veterans Day to honor their comrades at arms, this is the year. Why? Because Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616 annually holds its Veterans Day observance at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. Because that special place is Hawaii’s official World War I memorial. And because this year is the 100th anniversary of the start of that terrible global war. It’s as simple as that. As important as that. So please join the VFW at the Natatorium on Veterans Day — Tuesday, Nov. 11 — at 11 a.m.
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Veterans Day 2013 at the Natatorium: Photos and TV Coverage
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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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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