Veterans Day commemorations set

>> The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl will host the Oahu Veterans Council Veterans Day Ceremony at 9:00 a.m. in honor of those who served during WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Gulf Wars, Afghanistan and the Global War on Terrorism. Military honors will be presented by the U.S. Pacific Command Joint Service Honor Guard and an F-22 Raptor flyover will be conducted by the Hawaii Air National Guard, 154th Wing. Admiral Harry Harris, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command is the keynote speaker.

>> Wahiawa Parade. The annual Veterans Day parade on Saturday begins at 10 a.m. The route runs from Kaala School to Wahiawa Town Center, where there will be a program with music, a keynote speech by Brig. Gen. Keith Tamashiro and awards for parade participants. Sponsored by the Wahiawa Lions Club. For information, call Rene Mansho at 291-6151, or email renemansho@hawaii.rr.com.

>> The Governor’s Veterans Day Ceremony at Memorial Plaza, Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe, begins at 1:00 p.m. with Gov. David Ige presenting the keynote address; welcome remarks by state Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Arthur J. Logan; with state and city officials; consuls general; U.S. military commanders; veterans and their families in attendance. The state Office of Veterans’ Services’ theme for this year’s event is: “Veterans: A Grateful Nation Honors You.” The program will be preceded starting at 12:45 p.m. by music of the 111th Army Band of the Hawaii Army National Guard, followed by a conch shell opening featuring Kahu Manu Mook. U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Domingo Los Banos, a WWII infantryman with the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, will be highlighted representing WWII Filipino Veterans. Civilian attendees are asked to wear aloha attire. Military attendees are asked to dress in Class B or equivalent attire. Shuttle service will be provided from the parking area to the site of the ceremony. For more information, contact Lt. Col. Charles Anthony, 733-4258; charles.anthony@us.af.mil.

>> A sunset ceremony is planned Saturday at the Battleship Missouri Memorial with special tribute to women veterans of all generations at 4:30 p.m. Keynote address will be delivered by Col. Kara A. Gormont, commander, 15th Medical Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Jacqueline Ashwell, superintendent, World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, is distinguished guest speaker. Rear Adm. Alma Grocki, USN (Ret.), USS Missouri Memorial Association board member, will deliver opening remarks. The ceremony is free and open to the public. Free round-trip shuttle service to the ceremony will be available from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center beginning at 3:30 p.m.

>>The Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial will mark the 99th armistice anniversary on Saturday at 11 a.m. American Legion Post 17, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616, American Legion Riders, veterans groups and motorcycle clubs, and the Friends of the Natatorium will gather for their 21st annual Veterans Day observance. The commemoration will take place outside the War Memorial Natatorium, 2815 Kalakaua Ave., the memorial to more than 10,000 men and women from Hawaii who served in World War I.

Performances will be by the Pacific Fleet Band and Windward Choral Society preceded by brief remarks honoring service members from all branches, particularly those serving in Hawaii and those who served in World War I. Keynote speakers are Brig. Gen. Mark W. Gillette, deputy director for strategic planning and policy at U.S. Pacific Command; and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a veteran of two tours of duty and a major in the Army National Guard. Francis Riddell, commander of American Legion Post 17, will present the reading. For more information, contact Donna L. Ching, Friends of the Natatorium, 384-4070 or email: dlching@aol.com.