Photo By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal | Candles are lit to honor the memory of the fallen and missing in action during a...... read more read more
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HONOLULU – Service members, civilians and veterans gathered at the National Cemetery of the Pacific to honor all American prisoners of war and those missing in action during a Candlelight Ceremony on Memorial Day Eve May 25.
Motorcycle riders also attended as “Hawaii’s version” of Rolling Thunder XXV.
According to the Rolling Thunder Inc. Official Website, the organization consists of both old and young, men and women, united in the cause to bring full accountability for POWs and those still MIA.
Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Irwin K. Cockett was the keynote speaker for the event and stated that the commemoration was a time to remember those lost on both sides during the Vietnam War.
“On this the eve of Memorial Day it is fitting that we gather along with our Vietnamese community leaders to pay homage to the fallen comrades of both our countries,” Cockett said. “They may be far removed in time but not in memory.”
Cockett said that remembering what the missing and fallen sacrificed during that war is a way to honor their memory.
“Tonight our hearts remain heavy for our MIA comrades,” Cockett said. “It is for us to remember the noble cause we fought for so many years ago on the battlefields of Southeast Asia.”
Those in attendance were able to listen to a performance given by the Marine Forces Pacific Band, hear a cultural song from the Vietnamese VNTV Ohana choir, and see a dance done by Thai-Hang Phan called “He Hawaii Au.”
At the end of the ceremony attendees lit candles and laid wreaths to give their respects to those who served.
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2014 03:29 |
| Story ID: | 131087 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 156 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Memorial Day Eve candlelight ceremony honors POW/MIA service members, by TSgt Christopher Hubenthal, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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