KONA, Hawaii – A Memorial Day event was held at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery on Monday.

Some of the distinguised speakers included State Rep. Cindy Evans and Rep. Nicole Lowen, and U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono.

“Hawaii is the home to generations of service members,” Hirono said, “from the Civil War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Memorial Day is an opportunity to celebrate these service members, remember those who gave their life in service to our country, and reflect on legacy they left behind. On this solemn day, we not only honor the sacrifices made by our service members and veterans, but also reaffirm our lifelong commitment to support them and their families.”

The event also included the introduction of an improved ashes garden. The first ashes to be scattered were those of petty officer third class John Earl O’Connor, a survivor of Pearl Harbor.