Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, November 3, 2016 9 Last year, the parade had 62 units. At press time, Lewis said she had 75 units signed up and the list was growing. “I’m hoping to reach 80 or 90 by parade time this year,” she says. “And really, 200 is not too many units to stop at. It’s a matter of people wanting to come and join the celebration.” The list of participants includes the Hawaii Police Department, Hawaii Island Motorcycles, U.S. Navy, Hawaii Air National Guard Color Guard, Hawaii County Band, Hilo Medical Center, the U.S. Army, Hawaii Community College, Waiakea High School Warrior Band, American Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol, Keaau High School Band and Hilo Union Kazoo Band. Gov. David Ige and his wife, Dawn, also will participate, as well as U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, state Sens. Kai Kahele and Russell Ruderman, state Reps. Mark Nakashima, Clift Tsuji, Richard H.K. Onishi and Joy San Buenaventura, Judge Edward Kubo and his wife, Tammy, Hawaii County Councilman Daniel K. Paleka Jr. and County Prosecutor Mitch Roth. Also look for the U.S. Air Force, Hawaii County Civil Defense, roller derby leagues, Bay Clinic, Big Island Cheer, Hawaii Carriage Driving Society, Hawaii Youth Challenge, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp., Church of the Holy Apostles, Taishoji Taiko, Hope Services, the UH-Hilo Vulcans baseball team and Men of Pa‘a. There also will be a group of World War II veterans, including bomber pilot 1st Lt. Walter Hughes, and family members from the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Veterans Day is an official U.S. public holiday observed annually on Nov. 11. Veterans Day commemoration services started on the 11th day of the 11th hour of the 11th month in 1919 and originally was called Armistice Day to commemorate the heroism and sacrifices that led to the end of World War I. After World War II, a veteran named Raymond Weeks initiated the idea to expand this holiday to celebrate all veterans. Celebrating all veterans is just what the Hawaii Island Veterans Day Parade is all about. “You bring people together to celebrate and you learn about what each other does,” Lewis says. “It’s about keeping the history alive. We wanted to organize this event in a way that will create benefits for our veterans all year long. We need to make it easier for them to do well.” Lewis herself had a long military career that included being a part of the first West Point class that allowed women, becoming an engineer, going into combat, and retiring as a colonel after 30 years of service. Others who work with Big Island veterans know firsthand why events such as this are important for the community. “The goal of our parade is to bring people together to honor the time and effort that these veterans put into their service,” says Kelcie Kohara Figueira, a counselor for the Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services. “Some of the groups that participate in the parade might not be veteran services groups, but they might be nonprofit groups that offer other services to our veterans.” She adds that veterans are often misunderstood. “All they are looking for is support and understanding … and to have a place where they can go and not be alienated,” Figueira says. “Some don’t want to be recognized, and some do, but just to have the support and understanding of where they’re coming from. We just need to be here to help them reach their goals.” For more information, visit www. hivetparade.org. VETERANS From page 8 Saluting veterans There are additional events that honor veterans throughout town during the week, and all are open to the public to show their appreciation and support: Annual Veterans Appreciation Service The Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin invites all veterans, spouses, family and friends, regardless of religious preference, to participate in its 21st annual Veterans Appreciation Service. Featured speaker will be District 3 state Rep. Richard Onishi, who served in the Army from May 1973-77. When: 9 a.m. Sunday Where: Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin East Hawaii Veterans Day Commemoration Service Sponsored by the Hilo Chapter 231, Korean War Veterans, this commemoration honors all veterans with a special ceremony. Featured music by the Hawaii County Band. Youth Challenge and Girl Scouts assist in the ceremony and in placing beautiful floral wreaths and arrangements next to the memorial. The featured speaker is retired Army Col. Edward Teixeira, interim Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator. When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11 Where: Veterans Cemetery No. 1, Hilo West Hawaii Veterans Day Commemoration Service Sponsored by Kona’s American Legion Post 20, this commemoration honors all veterans. When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11 Where: Veterans Cemetery No. 3 Kilauea Military Camp to observe Veterans Day KMC will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony on the KMC front lawn and celebrate KMC’s 100 years of service with keynote guest speaker U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. As in the past, KMC provides all eligible veterans in attendance a free dinner buffet. Advance registration is required by calling 967-8371. Pre-registered guests will receive meal vouchers 30 minutes before the ceremony and they will be available after the ceremony. Guests must present military or veteran ID. For nonveterans, dinner buffet prices are $27.95 for adults and $14.50 for children 6-11 years old. When: 3 p.m. Nov. 11 Where: KMC front lawn, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Courtesy photos ABOVE: The 2015 community parade marshal Auxiliary to VFW Post 3830. LEFT: Nancy Cabral, Hawai’i Horse Owners Association, during the 2015 parade.
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