Memorial Day 2005 Hawaii Style at Punchbowl

Memorial Day in Hawaii is a special day of remembrance with the central tradition being the decoration of graves at Punchbowl Cemetery (officially known as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific).

Hundreds of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts descend on the Sunday before Memorial Day Monday armed with thousands of small American flags and flower leis, lovingly made by a literal army of local volunteers.

Each grave is lovingly decorated and a brief service is held in preparation for the more public and official ceremonies on the holiday itself.

In recent years, as Punchbowl became filled to capacity, the state opened its own Veteran's Cemetary in Kaneohe. Here, it is primarily the Girl Scouts who continue the tradition of grave decoration. I can think of no better way to teach our children to honor and remember the sacrifices of those who have served...and died....in our US armed forces.

Amidst this year's ceremonies one stood out for me.

During the Korean War, Army Master Sgt. Clarence Young fell behind his platoon t to provide cover for their withdrawl from a heavy assault by the North Korean army. After using up all the ammunition for a 50-caliber machine gun mounted on a half-track, his companion ran to get more. After running some distance away he looked back to see the vehicle explode. Assuming that Young and the others had most certainly died in the explosion, he returned to the unit and reported Young's death.

Unknown to him and everyone else, Young survived and spent 30 months as a prisoner of war. Years later, when the full story became known, those who had served with Young recommended him to recieve the Medal of Honor for his heroic, selfless efforts that day. After military review it was decided that he would recieve the Silver Star for valor. So, over 50 years later, Sgt. Young's bravory and ordeal was at last acknowledged in a special presentation ceremony let by US Senator Daniel Akaka (Dem. Hawaii).

Both the Honolulu Adverstiser and Honolulu Star-Bulletin published some good pictures of the Memorial Day decorations and presentation to Sgt. Young. I am reprinting them here although you can link back to their original context if you would prefer.







God Bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Thru the night, with a light from above.....