Hundreds gathered at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery on Monday to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Some were seen putting lei on their loved ones’ graves while others stood quietly in prayer before the 11 a.m. program began.
The ceremony started with the singing of the national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, hula by Colleen “Coco” Nomura, a dancer from Oahu, and recognition of World War II and other veterans by the ceremony’s emcee.
The day took an emotional turn when the event’s guest speaker gave a touching tale of what it’s like to have a loved one go missing in action.
Paul Graffe’s father went missing during the Vietnam War, and his story was one that had the crowd on the brink of tears.
“My father went missing in action in Southeast Asia,” he explained before taking a moment to collect his thoughts.
“Excuse me while I calm my emotions,” he said. “I’ll try to keep my story brief.”
Once Graffe was able to speak, he gave thanks to those who helped build the POW/MIA Memorial Garden in the cemetery, located on Queen Kaahumanu Highway and mauka of the Kua Bay entrance. Graffe and his wife, Awapuhi Huihui-Graffe, helped spearhead the project a few years ago.
He said the area is a place where people can gather to honor those who sacrificed so much and remind people to never forget.
“And, indeed, we will not forget. We’re here today with a deep and profound respect for those before us who gave us everything and asked for nothing in return. These soldiers left much more behind … ” he said before pausing to catch his breath again.
“I was left behind,” he said, pausing once more. “My mother was left behind. My grandmother, also left behind. My father’s brothers, sisters, friends, aunties and uncles, nieces and nephews, church and community …
“I have nothing to bury, my father’s influence and presence is forever absent,” he said.
Graffe’s father’s aircraft was shot down on Oct. 30, 1969, when he was only a couple years old.
Shortly after, his mother received a knock on the door with bad news, he said. The news that Graffe’s mother got that day changed his life forever. Graffe and his mother moved to Washington after they found out his father had gone missing, where they “waited, hoped, and prayed for his return.”
“How long do you wait?” he said. “I truly don’t believe my grandmother and grandfather ever lost hope.”
But, life went on eventually and Graffe said his mother remarried, changing his life once again.
“I spent 10 years missing my father and the next 10 years wondering why I needed another?” he said.
“I was confused, angry, hurt, lost and frustrated,” he added.
But then his life changed again when he moved to the Big Island, met his wife and fell in love.
“Now I’m married and have more family and friends than I ever thought possible.”
His message to the public on Monday was that change, no matter how difficult or unfair it may seem at the time, may have within it a small blessing of some kind.
“Always keep your faith and embrace life’s wonderful change, especially if you’ve found yourself left behind as I did,” he said.