Memorial Day in Hawaii

Originally created after the Civil War to honor the fallen Union soldiers, Memorial Day has now evolved to commemorate every American soldier and service member. FoxNews.com recently listed the top 10 destinations to celebrate and honor America’s heroes in the "Top 10 moving Memorial Day Getaways."  The article listed Honolulu and Waikiki as #1 for a deeply memorable Memorial Day Weekend with a trip over to Waikiki to check out Oahu's most visually breathtaking annual event The Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park that honors ancestors and those who have sacrificed their lives in war.

Lantern floating is an Asian spiritual tradition, part of a traditional Buddhist rite which originated in Japan, that beautifully symbolizes the wish for all beings to live in peaceful coexistence...in remembrance of loved ones, or as symbolic prayer for a harmonious future. Those who cast afloat lanterns hope that Lantern Floating Hawai`i brings you a sense of peace and warm remembrance of your departed loved ones. The ceremony also features live music and speeches.

Live streaming of the ceremony will be available here on May 27, 2013, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hawai‘i-Aleutian Standard Time.

Lantern Floating Hawaii in 2010
at Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, HI

Watch this video for a brief history of the journey of lantern floating ceremony to Hawaii.

Visit Lantern Floating Hawaii on Facebook
More Info Lantern Floating Hawaii
See the photos from last year Here

World War II Memorial Day or V-J Day.

Celebrate the 67th anniversary of the end of World War II when we recognized the World War II generation, both veterans and those on the home front and honor the sacrifices of veterans who fought and were lost in World War II.

Originally known as World War II Memorial Day, the day is now known as Victory over Japan Day or V-J Day.  It was a nationally recognized holiday, but it has since been removed because of the nature of the war's ending, following the dropping of the atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on Aug. 6 and Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945.  Due to the devastating ending of the war, critics argue the name is insensitive to the Japanese.

WWII officially ended Aug. 15, 1945 when Japan surrendered, but because of the time zone difference, the United States was informed of the victory on Aug. 14. There was quite a celebration all over the country as you can see on this Archive Newsreel August 14, 1945 Newsreel V-J Day 

Photo: 
Each of the 4,048 gold stars represents 100 Americans who died during the war
used with permission by flickr user dbking

To read more click the following links:

Dad's Story August 6th, 1945  60th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima

Dad Was In World War 2 US Navy 

Dad Was On The USS PCE 884

Dad And The USS Missouri