Patriotism and service were overarching themes Monday during the Memorial Day commemoration at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2.
The most patriotic of American holidays, Memorial Day is unique. By presidential proclamation, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff from sunup to noon to honor military men and women who died in America’s wars. Then, from noon to sunset, the flag is raised to full-mast to exemplify a living nation and those who serve it.
In Hawaii, the state flag is also included those orders, by proclamation of Gov. Josh Green.
Several dozen were on hand for speeches, military marches and patriotic anthems, Christian prayers and Buddhist chants, rifle salutes and the reading of the names of veterans who have died since last Memorial Day. Nearby, decorated headstones of deceased veterans and their spouses bore silent witness.
“I too, have ‘ohana who have served our country and are resting here,” said Bob Dircks, a retired Hilo High School principal, former firefighter and U.S. Navy Vietnam War veteran. “My grandfather, Staff Sgt. Stanley Brooks, who served this country during World War II, and my grandmother, Ella Martinson Brooks, who also served her country by remaining behind to help raise the family while grandpa served in the Pacific Theater.”
Dircks referred to service as “an American freedom and American right,” adding the freedom to choose guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution “aligns with the concept of patriotism.” To an audience of mostly gray and graying veterans and their families, he described patriotism as “a mindset that is somehow losing its true meaning — a meaning that we all understand and embrace.”
“Once upon a time, we were all part of a generation where the family was honored and respected,” he said. “And likewise, the family loved and cared for the little ones in the best way possible. You see, once upon a time, we were all part of a generation who stood every morning before school started and cited the Pledge of Allegiance. … You see, once upon a time, we were part of a generation who experienced the playing of the National Anthem as TV stations ended their day. I can see some of you nodding your heads. That is because we all knew then and believe now that those days were the best of times. However, that was then and this is now.”
“Unfortunately, we’re all part of a generation that is quickly moving on in life and regrettably, leaving behind those traditions that will never return to the way it used to be,” Dircks continued. “But wait. Have those traditions already left? You see, those were the times when the concept of patriotism was firmly planted in our hearts and minds. Ladies and gentlemen, that type of patriotism will never leave us. It is in each of us here today. … In my mind, we should no longer wonder if there is hope for future generations. We see, in essence, the future will need to be placed in the hands of individuals like ourselves who are represented here today. That is, through our voices and the examples that we set.
“Collectively, we can encourage our community leaders to bring back the way it used to be. Ladies and gentlemen, we are the kupuna, the leaders, with a deep, burning desire that through our examples, we can show to our children what patriotism and service to our families, to our communities — and ultimately, to our country — once looked like and must be returned.”
Dircks quoted a World War II U.S. Navy hero, President John F. Kennedy, commanding officer of PT 109, who in 1963 exhorted Americans to “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
“I guess I took it to heart,” Dircks said. “To me, President Kennedy exemplified the concept of service with a can-do attitude, regardless of life’s challenges. He believed that you needed to know the who and the why in demonstrating patriotism towards our country. For me, I will continue demonstrating my patriotism by providing whatever service I can, to my family, to my community and to my country — something we all can and should do.”
Jeno Enocencio, an Army Vietnam War veteran and former American Legion Post 3 Commander who organizes the Memorial Day event, quoted another U.S. president, Ronald Reagan, who served in the Army during World War II.
“If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under,” said Enocencio, better known as “Commander Jeno.”
The guest emcee, retired U.S. Army Col. Deb Lewis, an Iraq War veteran and West Point graduate, also noted the challenges, but like Dircks, struck an optimistic note.
“It truly is up to us,” Lewis said. “You know, we can lament the fact that things have changed. But it’s up to us to speak the language that will get our children — because our children are our future — to understand the importance of service.”
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com