Submitted by Sounds of Aloha on
The Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl (Pūowaina) is something truly special in our community, and the Sounds of Aloha love being a part of the tradition.
For those unfamiliar with the event, children and other volunteers from all over Hawaii make flower lei for Scouts to place, with flags, on every gravesite in our beautiful "Arlington Cemetery of the Pacific." The ceremony itself typically features commemorative speeches by dignitaries from the military and government, the laying of wreaths by dozens of nations, veterans' groups, and community organizations, the presenting and retiring of the colors by an interservice color guard, the presenting of state colors by high school ROTC cadets, the playing of taps, a rifle salute, a jet flyover, and, of course, music appropriate for the occasion! Our chorus is proud, along with the Royal Hawaiian Band, to have contributed that part of the program for several years now, and this year's ceremony on May 28, 2018, was as moving as ever.
We always welcome the opportunity to provide musical tribute to those who have served or are serving our country.
