Annual Puna District Memorial Day Observance slated for Saturday

The Annual Puna District Memorial Day Observance will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday on the front lawn of the Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.

The guest speaker will be retired U.S. Army Col. Debra Lewis.

Prior to the ceremony, The Hawaii County Band will be playing.

This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the war memorial that was erected in front of the temple that honors the Puna area residents who were killed in action during World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict and the Iraq-Afghanistan Conflict.

On Memorial Day 1947, a dedication ceremony was held.

Military and government officials, ministers and religious leaders of various denominations participated in the ceremony which was attended by church members and the community.

Temple members will be making floral bouquets and bundling flowers for families/friends to present as the name of each service member killed in action is called.

For those wanting to drop off greenery or flowers, the temple will be accepting drop offs from 9-10 a.m. on Friday.

Although mandates have been lifted, it is recommend that those in attendance wear a mask.