Annual Puna District Interfaith Memorial Day Observance – Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
On Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. join us for our 76th year of honoring and remembering those from the Puna District that have gate the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom today. Our guest speaker will be Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Cronin the Pōhakuloa Training Area Commander. https://home.army.mil/pohakuloa/index.php/about/leadership/garrison-commander.
We honor and remember these Puna District residents that were killed in action for the following:
WORLD WAR II: Stanley Cabral; Yuzo Hayashida; John Hernandez; Seiji Higa; Isamu Kanetani; Yutaka Kawamoto; Morio Mizumoto; Shoichi Nakahara; Tadao Nakamura; Mitsuru Ochiai; Eishin Oshiro; Seikichi Oshiro; Kazumi Tsutsui; and Alfred Veriato
KOREAN CONFLICT: David Aspili; Julio Figueroa; Yoshimi Fukumoto; Isaac K. Hale; Koichi Moriwaki; Wilson Park; and Paul K. Ura
VIETNAM CONFLICT: Moses I. Kuahiwinui Jr.; George G. Luis; Gilbert Olivar; Hayward K. Peleiholani; and George S. Salema
IRAQ-AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT: Ray M. Furhmann II and Kirk Takeshi Fuchigami, Jr.
All are welcome to attend this event on the front lawn of the Puna Hongwanji. The Hawaii County Band will be present to play a prelude of patriot songs. Claton Mine of the Hawaii County Band will end the observance with Taps. We will have the Hilo High School JROTC to raise the flag and collect the floral arrangements to be placed at the monument. We will also have pastors/ministers of different interfaith denominations to offer a prayer.
This event is free and open to the public. We encourage those that have a family member listed above to attend the observance as well.
On Friday, May 26, 2023 if you have extra flowers, you may drop them off at Puna Hongwanji from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. so that our members can make floral arrangements for the event.