Memorial Day Ceremony at Punchbowl National Cemetery to Feature SOA - May 29, 2017

The Sounds of Aloha are proud to have become a tradition at the Mayor's Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, held at the National Memorial of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater (Pūowaina). This year's ceremony is a combined one by the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii and actually is part of the national commemoration of the "50th anniversary" of the Vietnam War proclaimed by President Obama back in 2012 to last from Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025.

As in past years, the event also will feature the wonderful sounds of the Royal Hawaiian Band, a jet flyover in the missing man formation, wreath-laying by numerous diplomatic and community organizations, and remarks by military and civilian dignitaries, all in the setting of the so-called "Arlington Cemetery of the Pacific" with graves bedecked by local Boy Scouts with flags and lei made by volunteers from all over Hawaii. Attendance is expected to be especially high this year because of the special event. The Sounds of Aloha Chorus is looking forward to raising our voices in song again to honor the memory of those who have served the United States in the armed forces.