For many years on Memorial Day, I have gone to different ceremonies to remember and honor those who have come before us as mentors, leaders, patriots and ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.
I walk through the crowd of veterans and try to shake all their hands to thank them for their sacrifices and service to our country. As I gaze into their eyes and see their smiles, I try to imagine what they would have looked like in their youth and service uniforms. What they may have endured in the war they fought.
I notice the humility as well as the pride that they have. It did not matter what service uniform they wore. It did not matter their rank. I sit and quietly thank all those who have died and paid the ultimate sacrifice. They have given me the opportunities that I have. They have defended the freedoms that we all enjoy today. They have given us the ability to choose the life we want to live and how we want to live it. I reflect and understand why it is so important in my life today to honor them by making wise choices, and living a life that will help in some small way make a difference for those who will come after me.
Later in the afternoon we are all so fortunate to have the opportunity to attend Shinnyo-en’s Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park’s Magic Island. As the sun begins to set, it is the perfect ending to a day that touches so many of our emotions.
Lantern floating complements, and brings to closure, a day of remem- brances. Earlier in the day we pay homage to our veterans. Now we come together to offer not only remembrances, but love, gratitude and sometimes, find a connection with those who have touched our lives deeply.
"Many Rivers, One Ocean" is a simple theme that has such deep meaning to our world today. For us in Hawaii, as an island community, we see, understand and can feel this even more.
"Diversity, Harmony, Peace" — three individual words that collectively, are so powerful. For me, there is strength in our collective diversity. In that strength we find harmony, and that harmony provides the peace that we look for in our lives, which this world needs.
If we individually can understand that, then as "Many Rivers, One Ocean," we can make such a difference in the world today. I feel these are the simple yet powerful messages that our veterans, mothers, fathers and anyone who have touched our lives deeply have nurtured and tried to teach us by their actions and love.
As I join the tens of thousands of people on shore and watch as my lantern with my message floats to join the multitude of lanterns set afloat, there is such an overwhelming feeling of oneness and total harmony and peace that exists across the entire area in this moment and time.
Thank you veterans, and thank you mom and dad, for all you have taught us.
Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong is adjutant general of the state of Hawaii; he is volunteering with lantern preparations for Monday’s Shinnyo-en’s Lantern Floating Hawaii.
