Solemn ceremonies marking Veterans Day drew the men and women who collectively served in five wars to Punchbowl yesterday.

It was a gathering of military colors and military generations, of aging infantrymen from World War II and of the generals of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Their ranks swelled with pride at the annual gathering at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

"Our veterans define for the world where America stands and where we draw the line," U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, former commander of the 25th Infantry Division (Light), told an audience of more than 1,500 people. "But they also define what we represent in terms of American values."

Olson, who led the division's 12-month deployment to Afghanistan, thanked the veterans for their courage, commitment and sacrifice.

"Americans have asked much of its veterans, and in every case, the veterans have answered because the cause was just," Olson said.

Cemetery director Gene Castagnetti — a retired Marine colonel with two tours in Vietnam — said Veterans Day honors those who have served in past wars and those currently in Iraq and Afghanistan who stand "alert before the winds of terrorism."

He asked veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and those returned from the Middle East to stand and be recognized.

Each group received enthusiastic applause.

"These are the men and women we pay tribute to and honor today," he said. "We thank you for your service and sacrifice."

On Veterans Day, the ceremonies are more stirring than those of Memorial Day, which honors the nation's fallen. The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band played upbeat music yesterday. The Pearl City Community Church choir sang moving patriotic songs such as "God Bless America."

But with 36 wreaths laid in tribute by a wide range of military units — more wreaths than at any time in the 55-year history of the Punchbowl event — the fallen who rest at Punchbowl were remembered, too.

Mits Honda, an 84-year-old World War II veteran who served with the U.S. Army's storied 442nd Regimental Combat Team, arrived at the cemetery early yesterday so he could visit the graves of his buddies.

"My main reason to come here today is to honor those who didn't come back," Honda said, pointing a cane across the sweeping bowl of the crater. "I visited all my friends who are buried here. It's very emotional for me because my best friend is there."

Other Veterans Day celebrations also were held around the Islands, including the 60th annual Wahiawa Lions Club Veterans Day Parade, a breakfast for homeless veterans by the U.S. Vets-Hawai'i, and Gov. Linda Lingle's delivery of her Veterans Day address at the state Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe.

The Kane'ohe event was emceed by Vietnam veteran Allen Hoe of Kailua. Hoe's son, Army 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe, was killed by a sniper while he was leading his platoon in Mosul, Iraq, on Jan. 22. Nainoa Hoe was a 1995 graduate of the Kamehameha Schools.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.