The congregation of Puna Hongwanji Mission invites the community to honor America’s veterans at a special Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, in the Centennial Memorial Garden fronting the temple in Keaau. The guest speaker will be Bob McElroy, public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Garrison at the Pohakuloa Training Area.
The congregation of Puna Hongwanji Mission invites the community to honor America’s veterans at a special Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, in the Centennial Memorial Garden fronting the temple in Keaau. The guest speaker will be Bob McElroy, public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Garrison at the Pohakuloa Training Area.
“We would especially like to encourage all the families, relatives and friends of veterans from the Puna district who were killed in action to attend,” said a spokesman for the mission.
Puna veterans killed during wartime include the following:
— World War II: Stanley Cabral, Yuzo Hayashida, John Hernandez, Seiji Higa, Isamu Kanetani, Yutaka Kawamoto, Morio Mizumoto, Frank Mugihira, Shoichi Nakahara, Tadao Nakamura, Mitsuru Ochiai, Eishin Oshiro, Seikichi Oshiro, Kazumi Tsutsui and Alfred Veriato;
— The Korean Conflict: David Aspili, Julio Figueroa, Yoshimi Fukumoto, Isacc K. Hale, Koichi Moriwaki and Paul K. Ura;
— Vietnam Conflict: Moses I. Kuahiwinui Jr., George G. Luis, Gilbert Olivar, Hayward K. Peleioholani and George S. Salema, and
— Iraq-Afghanistan Conflict: Ray M.J. Fuhrmann II.
“These men gave their lives for our freedom, and democracy,” said the church spokesman. “The public is invited to join the families of the departed solders, veterans groups and members of the Hongwanji.”
This event is hosted by the Hongwanji, and refreshments will be served in the social hall after the service. Please call the temple at 966-9981 for more information.