Wahiawa held its ninth yearly war memorial ceremony, a positive community moment that keeps the memory of local soldiers alive.

• The community gathered to honor 21 fallen soldiers from the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, both made up largely of Japanese-American troops from Hawaii.
• The program included taiko drumming, speeches, lei presentations, and the ringing of a bell for the dead.
• Vietnam veterans also attended and shared memories of their service together.
• Organizers say the point is keeping these stories from being forgotten as fewer World War II veterans remain.

Outlook: The ceremony is set to return next year for its tenth run, with local veterans groups expected to keep it going.