Memorial Day

As we often do on Memorial Day, the Pacific Islander Access project would like to say thank you to the men and women who serve America in uniform, and to the families who support them. We would also like to call attention to the high rate of military service among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and to the sacrifices of their families, especially those caring for wounded warriors.

Here's more from our post last Memorial Day, telling the story of a patriotic, self-sacrificing segment of this nation:

Military service is one of the many ways that America's growing Pacific Islander population gives back to the country we call our own. According to recent reports, American Samoa holds the solemn distinction of having lost more of its citizens in the post-9/11 conflicts, per capita, than any State or Territory (NBC: Eager to serve in American Samoa, but strong civic duty often extracts the heaviest price). After American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia are next (TIME: A Micronesian Paradise: For Military Recruiters). In addition, according to a study by the Heritage Foundation, Pacific Islanders are more overrepresented in military service than any other major racial group (Table: Who Bears the Burden).

This Memorial Day, the Pacific Islander Access project thanks all who have served.

Kawika