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With Pearl Harbor playing such an iconic part in U.S. military history, it is not surprising that there are plenty of ceremonies commemorating Veterans Day in Hawaii. Here is just a sampling of events for this year’s holiday.
OahuJust before sunset on Nov 11th The Battleship USS Missouri Memorial will hold a special ceremony on the ship’s Fantail. This is designated an official Regional Site for the observance of Veterans Day by the U.S Department of Veteran’s Affairs. This year’s ceremony onboard the U.S. Missouri will pay tribute to all of our Nation’s veterans, past and present with special attention given to our most recent generations of men and women who are serving or have recently served. Special remarks will be featured by Rear Admiral Richard l. Williams, Commander of Navy Region Hawaii and the Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific along with Vice Admiral K.U. Kihune, USN (Ret), former chairman and current member of the Board of Directors for the USS Missouri Memorial Association. Cost is free and open to the public. Cemetery Services
There is the Punchbowl Cemetery Veterans Day program and memorial service held every year at the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific inside Punchbowl Crater in Downtown Honolulu. Have some Fun
Also in Honolulu there is a motorcycle biker’s run sponsored by The Street Bikers United Hawaii on November 9th. The Vietnam Vets/ Legacy Veterans MC Veterans Day Run will start at Moanula Gardens at 9:00 with a party after wards featuring live music, food, contests, bike games and prizes. Hilo Celebrates
In Hilo the 7th annual Veterans Day Parade will be held Saturday, November 8th at 9:00am. This year’s parade is paying special tribute to female veterans and active duty military women in all branches of service. The Grand Marshall will be Colonel Debra M. Lewis who has commanded three separate U.S Army Corps of Engineers units and was a member of the first class of female cadets to graduate from West Point. Kauai Parade
On Kauai celebrations include a Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, Nov 11th from 9am-3pm at Kapaa Beach Park and a Veterans Day Celebration at Veterans Cemetery from 9am-3. After competing against ten other lovely and talented contestants, Ms. Deanna Sloger, a senior representing Island School has been selected as Miss Kauai Veteran 2015. The Miss Kauai Veterans is a scholarship pageant that exemplifies all you can be. Military Memorials
There are so many military monuments and memorials to choose from, you may not have time for a parade. Among the many to choose from: Hawaii State Veterans Memorial, the Hawaii Korean and Vietnam Memorial, the Memorial to Fallen Hawaiian Warriors and the National Cemetery of the Pacific. Historic Military Sites for Any Day visits
Sites worth visiting on Veterans Day, or any other day for that matter, in Pearl Harbor include the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine, the USS Missouri Battleship, the USS Oklahoma Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. A Good Day to Visit the Park
Hawaii Volcanos National Park, along with all our other 4 National Parks, offers free admission on Veterans Day.
