At 4:30 a.m. on November 26, 2002, the Kansas City International Airport greeted the arrival of 300 travelers bound for the island of Hawaii. We are happy to say that we left the Golden Regiment rain cloud behind!
The Golden Regiment was featured in the 61st Annual Waikiki Holiday Parade. The parade was a night event weaving along the famous Waikiki coast. The parade was lined with burning torches, holiday decorations and thousands of spectators. The band played non-stop for a continuous, supportive audience including an admiral from the naval base.

The most memorable portion of the trip for the band was the performance at Pearl Harbor. The Golden Regiment had the distinct honor of performing a stand-still concert for the flag raising ceremony at the Arizona Memorial and our home state battleship, the Battleship Missouri. The band was presented two American flags by a Pearl Harbor Survivor, one that had flown over the Arizona Memorial and one that had flown over the Battleship Missouri.

Although the Golden Regiment certainly enjoyed the sun, the beaches and the culture of Hawaii, the memories of Pearl Harbor will live in hearts and minds forever.