Celebrating ANZAC Day in the Year of the pandemic of 2021 By COL, Ret. Arthur Tulak, The Hawaii Commandery recommitted its support to New Zealand Corps (ANZAC) Day with a pared-down ceremony at the WWI Memorial. Participation was limited to remain below 10 persons, in accordance with City and State regulations on assembly. Participants included: •
Col, Ret. Jason Seal, Chairman of the Committee to restore the Naval Air Station Barbers Point Memorial, and Companion of the Gaylord Dillingham Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW)
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Daniel Martinez, Chief historian of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, and member of the successful HI WWI Centennial Task Force
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Major Alberto Nunez from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J9,
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Ms. Teddy Harrison, President of “Remember the Lady” organization devoted to commemorating Army nurses, and her husband Franklin, both supporters of the Hawaii WWI Centennial Task Force, and;
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Kim Greely of the Celtic Pipers who provided the musical portion of the ceremony.
Commander Manchester was the Master of Ceremonies, and led a program designed to follow the ANZAC Order of Service ceremony.1 In his opening remarks, Commander Manchester recalled that as there were no ANZAC Day activities available to the public this year and last, the Hawaii Commandery was keen to honor our Australian and New Zealand Allies who have served alongside Americans in her foreign wars. A key element of the ceremony was the wreath laying, performed by Commander Manchester, while Ms. Kim Greely played Amazing Grace with her bagpipes. The wreath was hand made by Ms. Harrison especially for this event, and included freshly gathered flowers and leaves of significance to Australia and New Zealand. The wreath displays ribbons of colors of Allied banners, an outsized Flanders Poppy, a cluster of smaller poppies, Australian golden wattle, rosemary, various grasses, a magnolia, noni leaves (noni being suggestive of relieving pain), symbolic decorative, wearable buttons representing WWI scenes & recruiting posters. The purple ribbons that are arranged amongst the natural greenery represent mourning, spirituality, dignity, & several other manifestations of devotion & the gallantry of those lost in war. VA nurse during Vietnam & Red Cross nurse, Presidio, San Francisco during Major Alberto Nunez, of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, J9, held the colors aloft for the ceremony, and represented the acthe evacuation of Saigon, "Operation Babylift” & US Army tive-duty military. Nurse Corps captain during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. As a registered nurse in California, Ms. Harrison, provided care for WWI Veterans, and has been a great supporter of the HI WWI Centennial. Commander Manchester presented the wreath on behalf of all organizations represented by the members of the official party.
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