Commandery

Participates in ANZAC Day 2023

Commander Manchester

Anzac Day has officially been observed annually in Honolulu since 1973. The Hawai’i Commandery of the Military Order of Foreign Wars (MOFW) has been involved in the wreath presentation portion of a commemorative service in honor of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific for over a decade. To save money for our cadet awards and veterans related services, a few of us chipped in for this year’s wreath, and it was worth it! The service was held on a beautiful day in Puowaina National Memorial Cemetery (Punch Bowl) to commemorate the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I at Gallipoli, and to recognize the sacrifices and service of the Anzac forces in the over 100 years that have followed. I had the honor to served alongside Australian, New Zealand, and over 25 other countries in East Timor in 2000 and again in 2001 coordinating unilateral US Military humanitarian assistance projects during the UN Peacekeeping mission, so the ANZAC commemoration has great meaning to me. Memorial events such as this are moving ways to show our appreciation for the sacrifices of past generations of our service people and our allied and partner nations in the past and present. There is also a strong sense of comradery with attendees of active forces, allied militaries, and fellow veterans, many of whom have become friends due to the many events we attend. This event was no exception, not only did I see the usual crowd of comrades from veterans service organizations, old friends I grew up with from the reserve and national guard, but one of my bosses from J55 US Indo-Pacific Command was there, Brigadier Alan Litster of the Royal Marine Commandoes. Who knew when I was in uniform that I would one-day work for a Scottish brigadier as a civilian? It shows us that service to community and country does not end and neither does the comradery.