Photo By Kristen Wong | Manuel P. Neves, the fire chief of the Honolulu Fire Department, offers remarks during...... read more read more
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HONOLULU — The Sunday afternoon traffic stood idle, and members of the public emerged on the sidewalks and balconies to watch the 10th annual Mayor’s Remembrance Walk, Sept. 6, 2015.
Special guests, government agencies, first responders and other members of the community gathered at the Honolulu Police Department’s headquarters on Beretania Street to remember the second historical large-scale attack on the nation since Dec. 7, 1941.
With a warm smile, Kirk Caldwell, the mayor of Honolulu, shook hands with police officers, first responders and other attendees on the street, thanking them for attending. Among those attending this year were also representatives from American and United Airlines.
“Today we remember all of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks: The office workers, the passengers and flight crew, the pentagon employees, and of course, the firefighters, police officers and paramedics,” said Louis M. Kealoha, the chief of police of HPD and a Honolulu native. “We’re here today to show their families that we have not forgotten their loved ones. We have not forgotten about the first responders who ran toward danger while everyone ran from it.”
After a brief ceremony at HPD headquarters, attendees made their way down Alapai Street, then continued to South Street toward the Honolulu Fire Department headquarters building, where everyone gathered for a second ceremony. Caldwell asked Brandon Elefante, the local city councilman for District 8, for an impromptu speech. Elefante, an Aiea, Hawaii, native, who was in high school when the attacks occurred, thanked everyone for attending the walk.
“It’s a day that we will always remember,” Elefante said. “Let us always remember that we are, truly, a great nation and we will continue to stand united as one.”
The fire department honored the fallen with a ceremonial bell ringing, and together, attendees joined local firefighters in reciting “A Firefighter’s Prayer.”
“Though separated by an ocean and a continent, the members of the Honolulu fire department remained connected to the brothers and sister 343 firefighters in that terrorist attack,” said Manuel P. Neves, the fire chief of HFD. “Their bravery and commitment to the profession will never be forgotten. But let us not forget another terrorist attack on American soil that occurred in our backyard December 7, 1941, (which claimed the lives of) three Honolulu Fire Department members.”
Led by the rhythmic drumbeats of the Royal Hawaiian Band members in front, the group proceeded down Queen Street. They rounded the last corner on Punchbowl Street, and approached the final stop: Honolulu Hale.
“We hold this walk to honor those who fell, those who survived and those whose lives were changed forever that day,” said Misty Kelai, the executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Culture & the Arts. “We honor those who sacrificed their lives so that others could live, for those who continue to ensure our freedom, safety and security. We honor those who continue to make countless sacrifices and put their lives on the line every single day. They’re all who serve in our military and other branches of our federal government in all positions here and around the world.”
The Royal Hawaiian Band performed the national anthem and Hawaii Ponoi. Kaukaleialii Akau, performed a traditional Hawaiian oli, or chant, and Rabbi Ken Aronowitz of Temple Emanu-El delivered a blessing, and filling the silent evening air with the sonorous cry of his shofar, or ram’s horn. Representatives from numerous organizations and agencies presented flowers for the fallen. Halau Hula O Maiki also performed a hula.
“Some of us may wonder are we going to continue to do this every year and why do we do it every year,” said Caldwell, a Hilo, Hawaii native. “As we’ve heard from others, it’s not to forget those who gave their last full measure of devotion, running to danger while so many ran away. But the other reason is to remind all of us how horrible terror can be, and if we don’t remind ourselves. It’s easy to forget and allow it to grow. For me it means working on myself in my own heart and to come from a place of love, even when I feel anger and frustration.”
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, causing both planes to crash into the World Trade Center towers in New York. That same day, American Airlines Flight 77 and American Airlines Flight 93 were also hijacked, causing the former to crash into the Pentagon, and the latter to crash in Shanksville, Pa.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2015 19:35 |
| Story ID: | 175560 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 182 |
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