November 11: Veterans Day

Today, we honor and remember those who bravely served and gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the liberties we enjoy today. 2018 marks the Centennial Commemoration of the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. This year’s Veterans Day poster, thematically entitled, “The War to End All Wars,” depicts the remembrance poppy and a barbed wire fence. To learn more about this poster, please see: https://militarybenefits.info/veterans-day-posters-2010-2019/#ixzz5WfnPAHrU.

Here in Hawaiʻi, an estimated “9,800 residents served in World War I, including almost 200 who joined the British armed forces, many prior to the U.S. entry into the war.” Robert C. Schmitt, Hawaiʻi’s War Veterans and Battle Deaths, 32 Haw. J. Hist. 171, 172 (1998) (available online). A total of 102 residents died. Id. The Waikīkī Natatorium War Memorial was designed to honor those who served and gave their lives during World War I.

Native Hawaiian leaders supported the war effort as described in the newspaper articles shown below. See No True Hawaiian Would Evade It, Honolulu Star-Bull., Sept. 28, 1917, at 7-9. A two page advertisement encouraging Red Cross donations was signed by Queen Liliʻuokalani and U.S. Congressional Representative Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole. A full-page advertisement showcasing a personal “thank you” from President Wilson to Liliʻuokalani ran on the previous page. A transcription is provided below.

No True Hawaiian Will Evade It

Hawaii as a whole today enjoys great prosperity. Now to every one of us comes the great call, to give from our abundance that we may save not only lives of people in Europe, but the lives of thousands of our own–perchance to stanch the wounds of boys from Hawaii nei!

A person feels happy if he gives his mite to the right cause. None should evade giving his share, in proportion to his earnings, to the Red Cross, the one organization that makes no distinction in its efforts to reduce the suffering of mankind.

Picture before your mind’s eye the thousands of American soldiers–among them the Hawaiian boy you know and love–picture these gallant, brave lads lying badly hurt on a grim battle-line “somewhere in France.”

Can you glimpse these things and then turn a deaf ear to the still, small voice within you: Conscience calling within you: Conscience calling, “Help these boys–Give to the Red Cross!”

Let us remember that already our own island boys are doing their bit on ships in the Atlantic Ocean.

Let us keep in mind that already some of our own have made the supreme sacrifice, and that others certainly will be wounded on both land and sea.

We must depend on the Red Cross to save the wounded. The Red Cross campaign merits the support of every man, woman, and child in Hawaii. We must give, and continue giving freely and gladly, as long as this big, vital need exists. Let everyone in Hawaii contribute generously. Let us join the organization and give our money, our help, our Aloha, to this great cause of humanity.

–Liliuokalani
–J.K. Kalanianaole

JOIN THE RED CROSS TOMORROW

President Wilson Thanks
LILIUOKALANI

The gracious queen has set her example to all who are here in Hawaii, whether of Hawaiian blood or not, to give, and keep on giving to that fine cause, the Red Cross.

[Insert of letter from President Wilson]

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

U.S.S. MAYFLOWER
12 September, 1917

My dear Mr. Secretary:

Thank you for your letter of September sixth enclosing the letter from Governor Pinkham and the letter from Queen Liliuokalani.

Will you not take early occasion to request Governor Pinkham to express to Queen Liliuokalani my personal appreciation of her generous contributions to the Red Cross?

Cordially and sincerely yours,
/s/Woodrow Wilson

Hon. Franklin K. Lane
Secretary of the Interior