Archives for Memorial Day

Photos from the 2016 Natatorium Memorial Day Observance

It was simple, but so beautiful. Somber, yet joyous. Meaningful for all who had the honor to be there to remember our nation’s war dead. Mahalo to everyone who participated in the 28th annual Memorial Day observance at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. Those who spoke so eloquently. Those who danced with such grace. Those who who presented lei, flowers and salutes in tribute to fallen comrades. Those who performed military ceremonies. Those who sang. Those who sat quietly with their thoughts. Below are a few of the photos taken at the observance. A few more, with identifying captions,
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Images, Memorial Day, and Uncategorized.

Be There: 28th Annual Memorial Day Observance at the Nat

A picnic or a paddle? Do it. A family get-together or a round of golf? By all means. That’s part of what holiday weekends are for. But the Memorial Day holiday has another, more central purpose. One we shouldn’t forget: to remember and thank the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to defend our country. There have been an estimated 1.3 million such sacrifices, from the time of the American Revolution to our most recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Memorial Day Weekend Observance at the Natatorium You are cordially invited to the 28th annual Memorial Day Weekend
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Hula, Memorial Day, Uncategorized, and Veterans.

Photos from the 2015 Natatorium Memorial Day Service

If you were there on Sunday for the annual Memorial Day Weekend observance at the Natatorium, here’s a second look with lots of photos. If you couldn’t make it, here’s just a hint of what you missed: Ceremony Recap –Lead-off speaker Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific. He’s a topgun fighter pilot and combat veteran with more than 5,000 hours of flight time logged, including more than 4,000 in F-18s. His career, his demeanor and his message make you proud to be an American. —Betsy Merritt, deputy general counsel of the National Trust for
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Hula, Images, Memorial Day, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Uncategorized.

Plan on It: Memorial Day Observance at the Natatorium

Where will you be on Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend? You’ll be right here, living as a citizen of a free and independent country, with the right to vote and the right to spend the day as you please. Where should you be that day? You should be here. You should be remembering, honoring and thanking the men and women who have died in America’s wars to establish, protect and preserve those rights. Memorial Day at the Natatorium You are cordially invited to the 27th annual Memorial Day observance at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. It’s at 10 a.m. on
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Memorial Day, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Uncategorized.

The 25th Natatorium Memorial Day Service | Sunday, May 26

Inspiring oratory. Celebration in song and dance. Precision military pageantry. The solemn sounding of “Taps.” Most of all: A chance to remember, honor and give thanks. You’ll want to join us for the 25th annual Memorial Day weekend observance at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. It’s at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 26 – the day before Memorial Day – on the Kapiolani Park lawn in front of the Natatorium. Memorial Day weekend is, of course, all about exactly what the War Memorial Natatorium itself is all about: Our obligation never to forget. We remember the sacrifices of those –
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Memorial Day, Uncategorized, and Veterans.

DVR alert: Ōlelo to air Natatorium Memorial Day observance

This year’s Memorial Day service at the Natatorium – the 24th annual – was one of the best ever. The songs, the dance, the military pageantry and the stirring keynote speech by Gen. Gary L. North, all in honor of Hawai’i’s and the nation’s war dead. And now, a chance to see and hear it all again (or for the first time, if you weren’t able to be there). Ōlelo Community Media will air a video of the solemn but celebratory observance four times this month, starting this Thursday. Watch the one hour, 12 minute program on Ōlelo’s NATV channel
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Categories: Events, Memorial Day, News coverage, and Uncategorized.

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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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Hula, Memorial Day, and Uncategorized.

From the Natatorium Memorial Day Service: By request!

We’ve heard a lot of very appreciative comments about the terrific a cappella rendition of the National Anthem on Sunday at the 24th annual Memorial Day Service at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. It was definitely a winner. Lots of you said you’d love to hear hear it again. And fortunately, an audience member captured the moment on video. Mahalo to our soloist, college student Emma Benjamin of Honolulu, for kicking off our patriotic celebration with such an outstanding performance of America’s most patriotic song. Everyone in attendance loved it; you provided a fitting tribute to the men and women
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Categories: Events, Memorial Day, Uncategorized, and Videos.

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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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Hula, Memorial Day, News coverage, and Uncategorized.

Spread the word: Sunday, 10 a.m., at the Natatorium

The Memorial Day Service at the Natatorium. We all know what a wonderful, somber, yet joyous ceremony it is. Let’s make it a point today and tomorrow to let others know. Let’s make it a point to invite family and friends to join us there Sunday at 10 a.m. For details, point them toward today’s Star-Advertiser story. Or to our earlier blog post. Let’s bring our ohana together to remember and honor Hawai’i’s war dead and veterans. Sunday at 10 a.m. At the Natatorium. See you there. Mahalo.
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Memorial Day, News coverage, Uncategorized, and Veterans.