Every Sunday is time to remember for Lydia Saoit.

That's when she visits her husband Francisco's grave at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

Yesterday, she was joined by about 1,300 other people for the 58th annual Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony.

"We sit here every Memorial Day — we don't miss this day," Saoit said.

She and her daughter, Kathleen Cadiz, remained at graveside for the ceremonies, a bit away from the crowd but close enough to enjoy the music, hear the speeches and feel the support of many gathered to remember those who have died in the military services.

Her husband, a Marine Corps corporal, died June 15, 2001, and was buried on July 9 with military honors.

"I used to come every day since he passed away," Saoit said.

Now she comes once or twice a week, plus special occasions, birthdays, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Saoit makes the weekly journey with the help of her daughter, who drives her mom from Kalihi. Otherwise, she catches the bus.

Yesterday, Saoit brought along her husband's Marine Corps graduation photo, hung with a red, white and blue ribbon lei. She carried flowers, lei and other mementos.

And she brought along some of her husband's other favorites: a beef curry plate lunch from L&L Drive-Inn, a pack of cigarettes and coffee.

Cadiz looked on encouragingly yesterday as her mom carefully arranged the flowers on the grave. They brought ginger and orchids that her grandmother brought back from the Big Island. Her mom strung a lei with some of the orchids.

Saoit said she believes it's important to mark Memorial Day for more than just her family — "to honor the soldiers that have been fighting for our country for freedom," she said.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann echoed that theme in his speech. "It is indeed right and proper to recognize and thank all of the people who serve America in uniform every day," he told the crowd.

Even as debate rages about the war in Iraq, Hannemann noted, "Let us not forget that the very fact we can have such a debate is one of the freedoms that cost the future for the sons and daughters of Hawai'i, of all America, lying here and in cemeteries across the nation."

The ceremony drew other veterans, including Art Caleda, president of the World War II Filipino-American Veterans Hawai'i Chapter. Caleda, 83, said the Philippine government's recent decision to award liberation medals to veterans is much appreciated.

"It was a hard, bloody war, and we survived," Caleda said.

Jim Santos, 81, of Pupukea, served in Special Forces through World War II, Korea and Vietnam. With a firm handshake and a clear zest for life, he enjoys the annual chance to honor the dead and touch bases with other veterans.

"It's an opportunity to be en masse and actually celebrate and pay tribute to those who gave their lives," Santos said. "And thank God — for the grace of God — I'm here."

Bert Nishimura, who lives in the Kahala Nui retirement community, said he doesn't miss a Memorial Day ceremony. At age 89, the veteran of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team said he comes for the memories. "I haven't missed one," he said. "There's fewer and fewer of us."

Hannemann closed his speech with the words of a man who died in another controversial conflict, the Vietnam War. Army helicopter pilot Michael David O'Donnell wrote this poem in 1970, two months before he was killed in action:

IF YOU ARE ABLE, SAVE FOR THEM A PLACE INSIDE YOU

AND SAVE ONE BACKWARD GLANCE WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING

For the places they can no longer go.

BE NOT ASHAMED TO SAY YOU LOVE THEM

Though you may or may not always have.

Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying

And keep it with your own.

AND IN THAT TIME WHEN MEN DECIDE AND FEEL SAFE

TO CALL THE WAR INSANE,

TAKE ONE MOMENT TO EMBRACE

Those gentle heroes you left behind.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.