Memorial Day Observance

By COL Arthur N. Tulak, Ed.D.

As with last year, the COVID Pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the large public Memorial Day ceremonies. The Governor did not hold his annual ceremony at the State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, and the Mayor of Honolulu did not hold his annual ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. At the World War One Memorial, the Friends of the Natatorium, and VFW Post 8616 held a ceremony on Sunday, 30 May, that was kicked off by the Color Guard and firing detail from 8th Theater American Legion Riders with their traditional “Rolling Thunder” motorcycle Sustainment Command. At right above is Command Master Chief Petty Officer Mo Radke, Mas-drive-by of approximately 80 motorcyclists from veteran and other clubs ter of Ceremonies. Photos by Greg Concilla. rumbling down Kalakaua Avenue. The riders were saluted by Celtic Kula Pipe Band playing “Scotland the Brave.” The brief program included Peter Apo as national and state anthem soloist and color and rifle details from the 8th Theater Sustainment Command at Fort Shafter. SGT Ben Dawkins, a bugler from the 25th Infantry band sounded Taps to conclude the observance. In addition to the Pyramid Rock Young Marines, individuals representing the VFW, American Legion, Scottish American Military Society, Military Order of Foreign Wars, Military Order of World Wars were in socially distant attendance. Since 1989, the Friends of the Natatorium have sponsored this annual Memorial Day Weekend ceremony in memory of Hawaii’s beloved dead from all American wars and in honor of the state’s military veterans. Participation in this year’s ceremony necessarily remained limited. A full public ceremony for Memorial Day weekend 2022 is planned. At the Commonwealth Graves, in Oahu Cemetery, Companions Dan Curtis and Arthur Tulak represented the Order, attending a ceremony held by the UK Military Contingent at HQ, U.S. IndoPacific Command. CAPT Chris Dyke, Royal Navy, the UK Liaison Officer, officiated the ceremony, attended by members of the UK Officers assigned to Camp Smith. The Commandery presented a lei on the cross over the grave of John Gemmell, Engineer Sub-Lieutenant, Royal Navy Reserve, who served aboard the H.M.S. Ophir, under the command of Captain Norman L. Stanley. Lt. Gemmell contracted pneumonia whilst aboard, and died at the Army military hospital, Fort Shafter on Sept. 19, 1918. His marker, erected by his shipmates notes that Sub Lieutenant Gemmell died at Age 27, and CAPT Chris Dyke, RN, officiates the ceremony. At right, the Commandery’s lei is on the carries the message from the Book of cross at Sub Lieutenant Gemmel’s grave. Matthew Chapter 11, verse 28, "I will give you rest." There are 51 UK citizens buried at the Oahu Cemetery, and this ceremony honors those who served in the Armed Forces. This is the first time the Commandery was invited to attend, and we anticipate attending this and the similar ceremony officiated by the Canadian delegation in November for Armistice Day.