Hundreds gathered this morning at the 59th Memorial Day service marked at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann gave the keynote address. "We are here today to remember and to honor every one of our veterans who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, and to express our gratitude and appreciation to those who continue to serve our great nation today."

More than 35 veterans' organizations participated in the presentations of wreaths to honor fallen comrades.
Among the dignitaries at today's ceremonies was L. Tammy Duckworth, the McKinley High and University of Hawaii graduate who lost her legs in the Iraq war and now is an assistant secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Duckworth is scheduled to speak later today at another Memorial Day observance at the State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe.
Also attending today’s Punchbowl service were U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono; Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command; and Hawaii Adjutant Gen. Robert Lee.
Members of the Honolulu Fire Department sang the national anthem, with additional music from the Royal Hawaiian Band and the Honolulu Boy Choir.
Many in the cemetery were drawn to the ceremony while many others spent private time at the graves and memorials for family and friends.