JFK SOLOMON RESCUER KUMANA'S FUNERAL
To Orwell Today,
Aaron Kumana's death was not from a long-time illness as claimed by some of the international and local media reporters. His death was a shock and a surprise which our community did not expect.
Months ago Aaron Kumana demanded from family members that his new leaf-house be built. And after the completion he declared that the new leaf-house is where his death body was to be kept for visitors, friends and relatives to pay their last visit and after 4 days his body would be taken to the church and to his burial site. A written sheet of paper was handed, by him, to his son-in-law a week before he died containing details of his burial ceremony.
The day he died Aaron Kumana introduced his comforting song and gave his final words to those beside him and told them that he will be taken away from them. He died a few minutes after declaring his death at about 10:00am the 3rd of August, 2014.
Aaron Kumana's burial ceremony on August 6th was attended by relatives, family members, visitors and the community. The ceremony was described as one of the most peaceful and finest occasions ever recorded here on the island of Ranoggah. His death was the loss of our family founder -- who himself brought Christianity to this area. Leaving behind him are his 9 children, 50+ grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Aaron Kumana is the Family Wiseman for his message to encourage mothers and fathers, husbands and wives to be enthusiastic in committment to family and community.
Beside him where he was laid -- for friends, visitors, family and relatives -- are the images and the head statue of president John F Kennedy.
The images and head statue of President John F Kennedy are inheritance for his grandchildren.
Escorting his coffin are his grandchildren slow-marching as the National Anthem of Solomon Islands played peacefully on that occasion.
Aaron Kumana was a very old man who in his 90s had strength to continue to build houses and weed his vegetable garden as his hobbies until he died. His last-built hut can be seen completed today. He was 97 years old, not the 93 or 94 that was stated by media reporters. The confirmation of his date of birth was written in the old Methodist hymn book handed by a relative to the family. He was born on the 7th of August 1917.
Aaron Kumana is described as one of the world's heroes for his famous story of rescuing the future president of America and the PT-109 crew during WWII here in the Solomon Islands.
watch Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana Tell How They Saved JFK's PT 109, YouTube
The flag of USA and Solomon Islands was flown half-way to commemorate Aaron Kumana's death as one of the heroes throughout the world. His life will be remembered for generations to come.
-Rellysdom, Aaron Malakana (Grandson)
JFK Rescuer Aaron Kumana Blog
Greetings Malakana,
Tears are stinging my eyes as I look at the photos and read your excellent article describing your grandfather's burial ceremony. Aaron Kumana's love for JFK, America and the Solomon Islands comes shining through in his life and his death. Aaron Kumana put Solomon Islands on the map and he is going down in history with JFK.
All the best,
Jackie Jura
JFK SOLOMON RESCUER KUMANA'S FUNERAL
JFK Museum honours PT-109 rescuer Kumana
(displays Solomon shell money beside coconut)
JFK SOLOMON RESCUER KUMANA DIES
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Solomon Islanders mourn death of Eroni Kumana
(helped save life of JFK in WWII)
Solomon's Kennedy hero dies age 93
watch Gasa & Kumana Tell How They Saved JFK
(sank Sunday Aug 1/found Friday Aug 6, 1943)
watch JFK PT-109 MOVIE
listen JFK PT-109 SONG
Kennedy Museum honors Solomon Islander who helped rescue JFK during World War II, JFK Library, Aug 6, 2014
BOSTON, Massachusetts -- In honor of Eroni Kumana, the recently deceased Solomon Island native who helped rescue John F. Kennedy and his PT-109 crew following the boat's collision with a Japanese destroyer during World War II, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum has made a piece of "kustom money" that Kumana gave to the Kennedy family part of the museum's permanent exhibits. Kumana passed away August 2, 2014 at age 93. August 8, 2014 marks the 71st anniversary of the PT-109 crew rescue. "Our museum visitors are fascinated by this story because it reminds us that history is not preordained... Without the heroics of men like Eroni Kumana, President Kennedy and his crew might not have been saved, and he would not have gone on to be the leader of the free world"... Sixty-five years later, speaking with an American visitor to the Solomon Islands, Eroni Kumana requested that a highly prized family heirloom -- a piece of "Shell Money" or "Kustom Money" -- be placed at the gravesite of his "Chief", President Kennedy, as a formal tribute. Made by hand out of giant clam shells, "Kustom Money" was used for many purposes, including for honoring one's chief. On November 1, 2008, at a ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery, members of President Kennedy's family gathered to receive Kumana's tribute which was placed on the grave. After remaining on the gravesite, the "kustom money" was conveyed to the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum where it will now be displayed as part of the museum's permanent exhibits next to the coconut shell that led to the rescue of JFK and his crew...
JFK SOLOMON RESCUER KUMANA DIES
JFK RESCUER'S FUNDRAISING PLANS
JFK RESCUER KUMANA SENDS GREETINGS
WILL PRINCE WILL VISIT JFK RESCUER?
Bob is very interested in the Solomon Islands projects of Mr Kumana
HEADHUNTING SOLOMON ISLANDS MUSEUM
JFK SOLOMON SWIMS SAVED SURVIVORS
SOLOMON RESCUER KUMANA HONORS JFK
Jackie Jura
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