Gen. Rep. of Flanders Visits Hawaii

Companions Tulak and Manchester supported the visit of Mr. Yves Wantens, the General Representative of the State of Flanders Beligum, who came to Hawaii to pay tribute to Hawaii’s WWI Veterans and to learn about the States WWI Centennial Commemoration. Responding to a request from the Belgium Consulate in New York sent via the U.S. National World War One Centennial Commemoration Commission, Companion Tulak set up a two day event schedule for Mr. Wantens, his wife Nannoo, and the Honorary Consul of Belgium in Hawaii, Mr. Jeff Lau. The program included a tour of Pearl Harbor on the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet’s Remembrance Barge on the morning of 21 October, which Companion Manchester led as the official sponsor. The following day started with a visit to the WWI Memorial on the morning of 21 October, where Mr. Wantens presented a wreath (procured by the Commandery) to present at the gate of the Memorial. Supporting this visit were other representatives of the HI WWI Centennial Task Force. In addition to honoring Hawaii’s WWI Veterans, the Belgian delegation was given an inside tour of the memorial arranged by Ms. Donna Ching, of the Friends of the Natatorium. That evening, the Elks Lodge, also a WWI Centennial Commemoration Partner, hosted a social event for the Belgian delegation at Waikiki.

The National WWI Centennial Commission and the Consulate General of Belgium Delegation of Flanders to the USA expressed their appreciation to the Commandery, and to the HI WWI Centennial Task Force who jumped to action. A total of 8 members of the HI WWI CTF participated.

The Admiral’s Barge flew the Belgium Flag.

Above: L-R: HI WWI Centennial Task Force Volunteers Schoen Safotu, Stan Fernandez Brenden Bliss, Donna Ching, Anita Manning, Mr. and Mrs. Wantens, Companion Manchester, Hon. Consul Jeff Lau, Ms. ClairE Levinson, and WWI Volunteer Rona Adams. 21 OCT 2021.

Below: The National WWI Centennial Commission provided a flag for display at all events associated with this visit. L-R: Hon. Consul Jeff Lau, Ron Lockwood VFW, Anita Manning TF Historian, Mrs. Wantens, Stan Fernandez, Manny Manchester, Mr. Wantens, Mrs. Levinson, and Ms. Vanessa Zimmerman.