"I think it's wonderful," Kono said after yesterday's service, which drew hundreds of people. "We get together with the different veterans and we pay tribute to our fallen comrades."

Kono proudly wears an aloha shirt that marks him as one who has been honored with a Purple Heart, an honor awarded to members of the U.S. military wounded in combat.

But as much as he likes the old ways, he was also pleased by some new elements at yesterday's Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony. Kono especially enjoyed the performance of the Honolulu Boy Choir, whose songs included "Pie Jesu," the more contemporary "From a Distance," and the Hebrew song "Al Shlosha Devarim."

And he liked hearing one of Hawai'i's "American Idol" finalists — Jordan Segundo — sing a lively rendition of "God Bless the U.S.A." To localize the song, he took a little liberty with the lyrics, changing "sea to shining sea" to "shores of Waikiki."

Junior ROTC cadets salute during the playing of taps at the memorial service at Punchbowl. Mayor Mufi Hannemann said the holiday lets citizens "memorialize that courage" veterans showed. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

He thanked all the volunteers who made the services possible: the military, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who helped decorate the graves as well as all those who sewed lei to place on each marker. Hannemann said this was the first time in four years that the volunteers were able to place a string of flowers on each of the markers on both of O'ahu's military cemeteries: Punchbowl and Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe.

The Punchbowl service took place in the morning and the Kane'ohe service in the afternoon.

As the child of Samoan immigrants, Hannemann said he had a special appreciation for those who fought and died for love of country.

"We are surrounded by veterans of just about every conflict of the 20th century and more recent ones: Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War and of the battle that rages in Iraq and Afghanistan," Hannemann said.

He said the holiday gives citizens a chance to reflect on the sacrifices of veterans "to memorialize that courage, their heroism, their devotion to duty, and their willingness to put aside their endeavors to answer a high calling."

A light cover of clouds cooled the annual memorial service. Many people came for the ceremony, while others spent time at the gravesites of loved ones lost.

Little flags snapped in the breeze, as they waved above every grave and marker in the crater.

About 44,000 people are buried at Punchbowl and another 28,000 are memorialized there.

Luzviminda Birks, a mother of four and wife of a disabled Marine, said she came to the service to honor the veterans and families who have lost loved ones. "They have to stand alone." Birks, a native of the Philippines who became a citizen 25 years ago, said yesterday was the first time she attended a Punchbowl memorial ceremony.

The only reminder of the fire that had temporarily closed the cemetery on Saturday was the sight of blackened kiawe and other brush on the hillside leading up to the drive into the crater.

A number of visitors also attended the services. Retired teacher Suzanne Strauss of Merced, Calif., stood tall with arms stretched to the sky during "God Bless the U.S.A."

Why spend part of her vacation in a military cemetery? "I very much appreciate the fact that these people have taken care of us," she said. "It's the least I can do."