HONOLULU - U.S. service members, veterans, civilians, friends and families gathered for the 34th Annual Memorial Day observance at the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial on Sunday, May 29, 2022.
Since 1989, the Friends of the Natatorium have sponsored this annual ceremony to honor Hawaii’s fallen military service members and pay special tribute to the 10,000 individuals from Hawaii who volunteered for service in World War I.
Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, served as the keynote speaker for the event. Rudder urged the attendees to remember our fallen service members every day, not just on Memorial Day.
“Today has a special meaning as we reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Rudder. “But what I ask you to do is tomorrow and the days ahead, each day, remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and let them live through you.”
During his speech, Rudder also quoted former President John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not the words that we utter, but is to live by them.”
The ceremony was opened by a contingent of American Legion Riders of Hawaii, and the singing of the national anthem and Hawaii state anthem by Peter Apo, the master of ceremonies. The event also featured performances by Halau Hula Olana and the Celtic Kula Pipe Band of Hawaii. The event’s guest speaker was Richard “Sonny” Tanabe, a member of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics swim team and 2014 Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame inductee.
“I believe that the legacy of a living memorial was inspired by the sacrifices of soldiers and built up by the accomplishments of Hawaii’s water athletes,” said Tanabe. “It is my hope that soon the memorial will be restored and that we will hold the commemoration inside the natatorium and be able to honor Hawaii’s WWI contributors and swimming legacies.”
Following all speeches and performances, veteran group leaders presented lei in memory of the nation’s fallen service members. The ceremony was closed with a rifle salute rendered by a U.S. Army rifle detail with the 25th Infantry Division and the playing of “Taps” by Sgt. Pedro PerezaSoto with the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band.
The ceremony was the first gathering since 2019 due to COVID-19 and marked the 34th observance at the Natatorium.
“To get people back together again in a safe environment it really means a lot, not just to me, but it means a lot to what Memorial Day stands for, to remember,” said Mo Radke, president of Friends of the Natatorium.