‘Always remember those who have fallen’

For many, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, a holiday from work and a day for the beach and backyard barbecues.

But for those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, Memorial Day is more meaningful.

The most patriotic of American holidays, Memorial Day is unique. By presidential proclamation, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise to noon to honor military men and women who died in America’s wars. Then, from noon to sunset, the flag is raised to full-mast to exemplify a living nation and those who serve it.

In Hawaii, the state flag is also included those orders, by proclamation of Gov. Josh Green.

In his invocation, Army veteran Jeno Enocencio — the organizer of Hilo’s Memorial Day ceremony at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 — asked that we “always remember those who have fallen, not only on today, Memorial Day, but throughout all the days of our lives, and to be thankful for the freedom which we have.”

Several dozen were on hand for speeches, military marches and patriotic anthems, Christian prayers and Buddhist chants, rifle salutes and the reading of the names of veterans who have died since last Memorial Day. Nearby, decorated headstones of deceased veterans and their spouses bore silent witness.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat who represents rural Oahu and the neighbor islands, spoke briefly, calling Memorial Day “a day to acknowledge our veterans, those who have fallen and those who continue to serve, and that we mahalo you every day in every single way possible.”

“When we talk about democracy, when we talk about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights — all the values we have as a country — look around you. This is what democracy looks like, all colors and creeds coming together, everyone celebrating for a common cause, and that is our freedom,” Tokuda said. “And we know our freedom wasn’t free. It was paid for by the blood and sacrifice of so many of you and so many of those whom we mark their graves today.”

Tokuda introduced legislation to rename the post office in Captain Cook the “Army 1st Lt. John Ku‘ulei Kauhaihao Post Office Building.” Her bill was signed into law on Jan. 4 by then-President Joe Biden.

Kauhaihao was killed in action on Sept. 5, 1969 in the Tay Ninh Province of the Republic of Vietnam. Tokuda was on hand in Captain Cook for the official renaming ceremony of the West Hawaii post office on May 10.

“To me, it was important that the fifth post office ever named in Hawaii not be after a politician. Nothing against any of us, but every post office in Hawaii that has been renamed has been after a politician,” Tokuda said at Monday’s ceremony. “I thought, for once, it should be named for a son of Hawaii, a Native Hawaiian, a Vietnam veteran. … It wasn’t just about John. It was about honoring and remembering every single one of our veterans for their sacrifice and service.

“Putting names on buildings is one thing, but it’s about us telling the next generation their stories, their selfless service and making sure we all continue to remember, and pay it back and pay it forward. “

Kauhaihao’s widow, Shirley, attended the Hilo Memorial Day ceremony and was acknowledged by Tokuda.

While there are a few World War II and Korean War veterans remaining, most on hand were veterans of the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, Iraq War and Afghanistan War.

One exception was Jim Bowers, a Marine Corps veteran originally from Beebe, Ark. Bowers served in Lebanon during that Middle East country’s bloody civil war in the early 1980s.

On October 23, 1983, two truck bombs detonated by suicide bombers outside the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut resulted in the deaths of 241 American service members. It was the deadliest day for the Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. The bombing also killed 58 French soldiers and six civilians, in addition to the two suicide bombers.

The attack led to the withdrawal of U.S. Marines from Beirut. There is now a Beirut Barracks Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

“I had just returned home from Lebanon a few months before and was discharged on the day of the bombing,” Bowers told the Tribune-Herald. “I sat in my parents’ front yard and cried.

“I’ve always told my daughter what Memorial Day was all about and I swore to remember the 241, so I’m here in remembrance of them.”

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.