Every year, local boy scouts work feverishly to place a flag and a lei on each gravesite at Hawaii’s National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, or simply, “Punchbowl,” in time for the annual Memorial Day service Monday morning. Three years ago while still on maternity leave with Robbie, I headed out to see it for myself. Of course I was a bit late, but that worked out for the best. While I didn’t get good parking, I did manage to see the end of the ceremony. After its conclusion, I wandered around the grounds and the gravesites and was amazed that within 30 minutes of the ceremony ending, the cemetery had nearly emptied out. Most of the folks and cars were gone, restoring the peace and dignity of the site. 
I didn’t make it back this year, but over the weekend I found some images from that day. Pictures posted here were taken with a film (gasp!) camera and have been scanned. In the past three years, I think I remember reading that one of the Unknown tombs from Pearl Harbor has been exhumed. Remains were DNA tested and they were able to identify the service member lost. Not sure which one, but seeing gravesites like this that still remain are very moving.
I didn’t make it back this year, but over the weekend I found some images from that day. Pictures posted here were taken with a film (gasp!) camera and have been scanned. In the past three years, I think I remember reading that one of the Unknown tombs from Pearl Harbor has been exhumed. Remains were DNA tested and they were able to identify the service member lost. Not sure which one, but seeing gravesites like this that still remain are very moving.
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