Philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once said, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."

I submit this may be the "spiritual" linkage between Memorial Day ceremonies at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and the Shinnyo-en Lantern Floating Hawaii.

Active-duty members, veterans, families and friends, young and old gather at cemetery venues around the nation to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the nation’s war dead, honoring those who gave their "last full measure of devotion" to our nation. The day elicits many emotions.

For some, this day resurrects bitter memories of life cut short by carnage of war.

For others it is a day to honor military careers, comrades who did not make it, or citizens who gave a life of community service.

In all scenarios, I believe, there is always a spiritual connection to remember to live the gift of life well, for love is stronger in death and forgiveness more important than criticism. We must express gratitude to those who wear the fabric of our nation and defend freedom, for we are the beneficiaries who have the opportunity to live in the greatest nation in the world.

It is our diverse commonality that makes up our American culture and represents the love we share for the preservation of freedom and the willingness to sacrifice to maintain it. Gratitude toward our unity of differences is reflected with the placement of floral lei on a grave at the cemetery, or the floating of a lantern into an ocean of dreams and remembrances.

In this exceptional country, our men and women in uniform are national treasures whose sacrifices for our freedom allow us to count our blessings and appreciate the gifts of life, security and the pursuit of our dreams. The principle of gratitude and harmony transcends our veterans buried at the national cemetery and extends to the participants of the Shinnyo-en Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony.

This event allows people of different backgrounds to join in one spiritual remembrance to express gratitude to those who have passed and given the gift of life and opportunity. The theme of the ceremony, "Many Rivers, One Ocean," is represented by the many remembrances coming together in one ocean, sending a spiritual message of hope for world peace and the pursuit of happiness.

Lantern Floating Hawaii offers participants a moment of personal introspection about the purpose in life. These shared personal moments create unity over self, an act of humanity over individualism.

During the many years I have attended Memorial Day observances, I continue to feel pride in watching those who pilgrimage to the graves of veterans and loved one to express gratitude with lei or flowers, for the sacrifices of our nation’s military.

Lantern Floating Hawaii conjures up the same feeling of pride when families offer remembrances to their respective deceased who made their own sacrifices for their loved ones and society.

I believe that to be remembered is the most precious tribute anyone can receive. Lantern Floating Hawaii represents a spiritual dimension of humanity that complements the somber National Memorial Day Ceremony.

I have observed that cemeteries are a place for the living to express gratitude for the deceased, and believe Lantern Floating Hawaii is rich in the same expression of gratitude.

I ask any who attend these ceremonies not to cry because your loved one’s life is over, but rejoice because the relationship happened. In that sense, you have memorialized their precious time on Earth.