Printer Friendly VersionSend to a Friend

Fifty-two of the 81 living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients gather at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), Oct. 3 for a ceremony to dedicate a memorial stone.

The stone is dedicated to the men and woman that have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The stone will later be placed on the cemetery's memorial walk.

"Well that's a very prominent spot, so I think it's a recognition of their special service," Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Tom Kelley said.

To the people that received the Congressional Medal of Honor the stone represents the struggles of war and the bravery of the service members that served the country.

"(The stone) I know what it represents, and to me that's the most important thing," Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyanura said. "It's quite an honor to have people recognize the Medal of Honor for what it is."

For the active duty service members that attended the service it gave them a chance to honor those members that have come before them and it reminds them why they joined.

"This is just a subtle reminder for me of why I joined the military, and what it is I am fighting for," said Marine Cpl. Kyle Cummings, with Combat Logistics Battalion 3.

Thirty-two people that are buried in Punchbowl are Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the United States of America's highest military honor, awarded for acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

The event is part of a week long celebration to honor the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor throughout the Honolulu area.

Article by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Kolmel, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs