Gov. Abercrombie, Sen. Akaka to attend Memorial Day ceremony at Punchbowl Cemetery

HONOLULU — Mayor Peter Carlisle, Senator Daniel Akaka, Governor Neil Abercrombie and other dignitaries will participate in the Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony on May 30, at 8:30 a.m., at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. The inspiring annual ceremony honors veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Carlisle will deliver the keynote address, and the master of ceremonies will be former City managing director and Colonel Robert J. Fishman (Ret.), former Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Reserve for the Pacific Theater. 

The service will also include the Royal Hawaiian Band, Sounds of Aloha Choir, a traditional gun salute and “Missing Man” formation flyover.

Law Enforcement Explorer Captain Risa Moniz, Boy Scout Joshua Salomon and Senior Girl Scout Diana Sellner will assist the dignitaries by placing memorial wreaths at the cemetery’s Dedicatory Stone.

Junior ROTC cadets from Castle, Farrington, Moanalua and Radford high schools will post the 50 state flags, and the Joint Military Color Guard will post the national colors.  Numerous veterans’ organizations will present wreaths and their colors.

The Hickam Base Honor Guard will fire a 21-gun rifle salute while “Taps” is solemnly played. The stirring ceremony will be highlighted by the 120th Fighter Squadron, Detachment 1, Montana Air National Guard fighter jets flying the “Missing Man” formation.

Parking at the cemetery is limited; therefore, the City will provide special bus service for those attending the ceremony by incorporating the Punchbowl stop on Route 15, Makiki/Pacific Heights, for that day. Free parking will be available at the Fasi Civic Center garage for motorists boarding buses at the Alapai Transit Center. Pick up at the transit center will be from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Destination signs on the departing buses will read “15 Punchbowl” and on returning buses will read “15 Alapai Transit Center.” All normal fares apply and all bus stops along the route will be serviced.

The Memorial Day ceremony is presented through the coordination and support of more than 50 government agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals. The event is planned and conducted by the City Department of Parks and Recreation.

Most of the lei adorning the grave sites are donated by Hawaii’s public school children through the outstanding support and coordination of the state Department of Education.

For more information on the Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 768-3002. For bus information, go to www.thebus.org or call 848-5555.