KANE'OHE — Eight-year-olds Cori Sutton and Shari Tanaka were among 76 Girl Scouts who placed a small American flag and flower lei yesterday at the gravesite of each of the 5,777 Americans laid to rest at the Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery.

It was more than a ceremonial gesture for the two girls, both Hongwanji Mission third-graders and members of Brownie Girl Scout Troop 257.

"It's to celebrate all the veterans for what they did for our country," said Cori, whose grandfather, Yoshito Kuboyama, is buried at the veterans cemetery. Kuboyama served in the Coast Guard during the Korean War.

Added Shari, "I really respect them for doing something important for all of us, fighting for our country so we can have freedom."

Sara Weisberger, 9, also of Troop 257, thought of a friend who has since moved away during yesterday's ceremony. "My friend's dad is a Marine, who is someplace protecting us," Sara said. "I hope he's safe."

Ten Girl Scout troops from O'ahu participated in yesterday's gravesite decoration. Girl Scouts have been paying their respects at the veterans cemetery for 16 straight years.

Boy Scouts did similar service yesterday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

"In anybody's life, I think to know who you are you have to understand where you came from," said Gail Mukaihata Hannemann, chief executive officer of the Girl Scout Council of Hawai'i. "Nothing we achieve in life is done by ourselves; somebody has gone before us and done something — sacrifice, giving of their life, a helping hand. This is one way girls can remember that, and in particular our veterans who are buried here."

Navy Chief Totch Maybry, his wife, Tracy, and their daughters, Kayle, 10, and Andi, 7, came to remember with thanksgiving.

Maybry's great-grandfather, Joseph Maybry, who lives in Florida, was awarded a bronze star. His wife's great-uncle, whose birthday was yesterday, is a Korean War veteran, and a deceased uncle was a submariner during the Vietnam War.

"I think it's important to pay tribute to them and to teach our kids about the sacrifices made," Totch Maybry said.

His wife and daughters, who are in Brownie Girl Scout Troop 410 at Pearl Harbor, thought about six Navy sailors who returned safely last week to Pearl Harbor from duty in the Middle East.

If she could speak to those buried at the cemetery, Kayle Maybry said, she would tell each one, "Thank you for serving our country. If you didn't, we wouldn't be free today."

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS

8:30 a.m., Punchbowl. Mayor Mufi Hannemann will deliver the keynote address at the Mayor's Memorial Day Service. Wreaths will be placed at the dedicatory stone at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Shuttle buses will operate from the Alapa'i Express Bus Terminal at South King and Alapa'i streets starting at 7:15 a.m.; regular fares will apply.

1 p.m., Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe. The Governor's Annual Memorial Day Ceremony will include remarks by Gov. Linda Lingle and Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee. A Hawaiian chant, parade of flags, presentation of lei, gun salute and helicopter flyover are planned.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.