Memorial Day

On Saturday, May 23, 2015, after the dance fest Elder and Sister Waldron took us for a ride to see some of the historical sites of the island.  We drove to a part of the island called Betio (Beso).  This is where the Battle of Tarawa took place.  The Battle of Tarawa on Red Beach was one of the bloodiest battles fought in the Pacific.  The battle was 76 hours long.  More than 4,700 Japanese and 1,056 Americans died in this battle.  Betio was considered a strategic gateway to the other Japanese held islands.  The U.S. wanted to take control of the airstrip which the Japanese were building.  We looked around and looked pictures.

Below is where ammo for the guns was stored.  Across the street is the Betio ward building.  Just next to this church building is where the headquarters for the Japanese high command was located.  Elder Waldron told us that a stray bomb hit this bunker killing all of the Japanese leaders.  The church owns the land on either side of the bunker, but not the land which the bunker itself sits upon, it is not for sale.

Ammo storage

High Command Bunker

We tried to post these pictures when we were in Kiribati on the Sunday before Memorial Day, but our Internet was not strong enough. However, we were able to post a picture on Instagram.  The following day we received a message from a former missionary couple who served on Tarawa.  They told us that the spot where we are standing in front of the gun implacement is where Elder L Tom Perry (who served in the US Marines during WWII) dedicated the island nation of Kiribati for missionary work in August of 1996.  

Until 1971 Memorial Day or Decoration Day was always celebrated on May 30th.  In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which changed 4 holidays from the traditional date to a specific Monday in order to create 3 day weekends.  Decoration Day originally began as a way to honor those who died in the Civil War.  After World War II, the name was changed to Memorial Day in order to honor all who died in any war or military action.  After seeing Anzac Day in New Zealand, we think the United States could do a better job of remembering those who have died for our freedoms.  

Why do we know so much about Memorial Day?  Susan's birthday is May 30th.  Growing up it was always a holiday.  We were married before it changed to the last Monday in May.  There were many times growing up that she wished her birthday was not on a holiday - but no sense looking back.  We can not change yesterday, only today.


"We have selected this site for our prayer where death and destruction reigned a few decades ago, in contrast to our message of peace, hope and goodwill for all of thy children here on earth.  Elder L. Tom Perry Dedicatory Prayer of Kiribati August 1996