Yearly Ceremony Honors Ewa’s Casualties Of War

By Rep. Bob McDermott

Everyone remembers the attack on Pearl Harbor, but only a few know that on that fateful day, the fighting occurred all over Oahu. One of those battles took place at the Ewa Marine Corps Air Station, which is now part of Kalaeloa.

This is an important reminder that our home in the Ewa Beach area is rich in history and important events. Japanese Zeroes destroyed 49 planes and killed four Marines before they bombed Pearl Harbor.

A small but solemn remembrance ceremony is held each year, conducted by members of the Aloha chapter of the Marine Corps League and Honolulu Council Navy League of the United States at the site of the old Ewa Marine Corps Air Station. The Marine Corps ceremony commemorates the four Marines who were killed Dec. 7 and the 13 Marines who were wounded there in the opening moments of World War II.

Supporting this year’s ceremony was Sgt. Maj. Andrew T. Cece USMC (Ret.), instructor of the Marine Corps JROTC at Kapolei High School, with his color guard led by Sgt. Kathryn Murdock.

(From left) Sgt. Maj. Robert W. Holub USMC (Ret.), Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard members Russ Macadangdang, Kathryn Murdock, Rich Xay, Ado-nis Dela Merced and Joshua D’Andrea and Sgt. Maj. Andrew T. Cece USMC (Ret.). Photo by Lilian P. Holub.

As your state representative, I, along with Aloha chapter Commandant Sgt. Maj. John Ah Chick USMC (Ret.), former Marine Forces Pacific Sgt. Maj. and Aloha chapter member Sgt. Maj. Robert W. Holub USMC (Ret.) were in attendance. Retired Marine Mike Nelson provided the invocation.

Sgt. William E. Latschau Jr., Sgt. Carlos A. Mich-aeletto, PFC Edward S. Lawrence and Pvt. William

G. Turner were killed. An additional 13 Marines were wounded.

Former Navy League Barbers Point president and retired Navy veteran, the late Al Shoehigh, established the ceremony 25 years ago to ensure that those Marines and their story are never forgotten. The Aloha chapter Marine Corps League and Honolulu Council Navy League are honored to support this ceremony.

As a former Marine, I am proud of this 25-yearlong commitment to the memory of these brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our liberty.

In 2009, the state House and Senate passed HCR-49, calling for the full preservation of MCAS Ewa as a National Monument, Museum and Restored Park and nomination to the state and federal historic registers. The neighborhood board, along with concerned citizens, continue to pass resolutions for supporting full preservation of this area.