Oahu honors veterans with ceremony, military flyover at Punchbowl

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Veterans, military families and community members gathered at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on Wednesday to honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The annual Veterans Day ceremony at Punchbowl featured hula, wreath presentations, tributes, speeches and a 21-gun salute.

Four F-22 Raptor fighter jets from the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard also conducted a flyover around 10:40 a.m.

Among those in attendance were veterans and Gold Star families who lost loved ones in military service.

“The reverence for veterans and in fact the joy in service is nowhere greater than it is here in Hawaii,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Gold Star spouse Tia Briggs expressed her appreciation for the continued recognition of military families.

“I’m so grateful that they always, not only today but every day, they always honor and remember all of our veterans sacrifice,” Briggs said.

This year’s ceremony theme was “Through the Generations: The Enduring Spirit of Warriors, Service, and Patriotism.”

Guests were also invited to visit the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum to view an exhibit honoring Nisei soldiers.

The Veterans Day ceremony was hosted by the Oahu Veterans Council.