Veterans Day parade schedule plus a brief history of the holiday
Veterans Day is a holiday honoring military veterans. It is celebrated on a day when the Armistice was signed. It was signed on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month ending the hostilities of World War I.
In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued the Armistice Day Proclamation. In 1938, Congress passed a bill dedicated to the cause of world peace and the honoring of Armistice Day.
After World War II, the word “Armistice,” for the veterans, simply meant truce. Leaders of veteran groups tried to correct this and make Nov. 11 a a day to honor all those who served.
A veteran’s day program was held in Emporia, Kansas, in 1953. Representative Ed Reese was so impressed that he introduced a bill to change the name. The name was changed to Veterans Day by an act of Congress on May 24, 1954.
Today, the Kaua‘i Veterans Council honors veterans with its 39th Annual Veterans Day Parade.
The theme for this year’s parade is “Honoring all Veterans.” Veterans Day is largely intended to thank the living veterans for their service, to acknowledge their contributions to the security of the United States and to underscore the fact that all those who served, not only those who died, have sacrificed and done their duty.
Veterans Day memorial services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery.
On the reviewing stand will be Major General Robert G. F. Lee. Gen. Lee is the adjutant general of the state of Hawai‘i, Department of Defense and the head of Hawaii Civil Defense. He holds a bachelor’s in mechanized engineering and a master’s in business administration from the University of Hawai‘i.
He served in the 100th Battalion of the 442nd in leadership positions from the platoon to the regimental level. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
On the stand with the reviewing officer are the judges who will be grading the parade participants. At the conclusion of the parade in Kapa‘a Beach Park, awards will be given in the following categories: Best Classic Car, Best Float, Best Marching Unit, Best Walking Unit, Best Band.
The judges for the parade are distinguished members of the community. Judge number one is the permanent District Court Judge of the Fifth Circuit and the first woman to hold that position on Kaua‘i, the Honorable Trudy Senda.
The other two judges were both retirees from the Kaua‘i Police Department, Richard “Peachy” Sheldon and Brian Fujiuchi.
After the parade, the Kaua‘i Veterans Council invites all to join them in their celebration at the Kapa’a Beach Park. The new Miss Kaua‘i Veteran 2007-2008 will be officially crowned during the short Veterans Day ceremony.
The featured guest speaker will be the reviewing officer from the parade, Gen. Robert Lee. The winners of the Veterans fundraiser will be announced. Entertainment will start with the Excel Dance Group.
The featured entertainment will be the award-winning choir from the Kapa‘a Middle School. The choir received an award at the 2006-2007 Heritage Music Festival on O‘ahu.
The 70 student choir group will be participating in the Heritage Music Festival in conjunction with the Disney Magic Music Days in March 2008 in Anaheim. The choir will include some patriotic songs in their performance, and will feature an appearance by the middle school’s ‘Ukulele Band.
The Kaua‘i Classic cars will be preceding the parade. They are the cars of yesterday, preserved by their owners. The cars will be available for viewing at the Kapa‘a Beach Park immediately following the parade.
Note the American flags on each car, as those were donated by Aida Cruz, in memory of her late husband, Frank Cruz. Frank was the President of the Kaua‘i Veterans Council when he passed away earlier this year. The president of Kaua‘i Classic Cars is Richard Aki. He will introduce each car as it approaches the reviewing area.
Here is the parade line-up after the cars:
Leading the parade is the U.S. Marine Corps League’s Color Guard consisting of volunteer members who served or retired from the Marines. Following the Color Guard is the supporting members of the league. The commander of the unit is Noberto Garcia. In back of the color guard are members of Kaua‘i Marine Corps League headed by retired, and former First Sergeant, J. Q. Smith.
In the next convertible is the of the Kaua‘i Veterans Council, Edward K. Keoho Senior. Edward retired from the United States Army after more than 20 years service. During his career, he served three tours in Vietnam.
The Grand Marshal of the parade is the Honorable Jiro Yukimura. Yukimura enlisted with the newly formed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Because of his highly developed language skills, he was selected for language training.
On completion of training, Yukimura was assigned to Australia and joined General MacArthurs’ Headquarters, arriving in April 1944. He continued with MacArthur forces until the final liberation of the Philippines. Driving the convertible is Jiro’s son David.
The first unit in the parade is the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team is the most decorated unit of its size and length in American history. Some 21 members were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor. The unit was also awarded 18,143 individual decorations for bravery, of which 9,486 were for the Purple Heart medal. The Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers who were killed or wounded in action.
The next two vehicles are an Air Force truck and a van carrying the members and families of the Military Intelligence Service with their commander, Quentin Belles.
In the next convertible is Miss Kaua‘i Veteran 2007-2008, Candice Klein of Kekaha. Candice is a senior at Waimea High School and is the daughter of Jennifer and Steve Klein. Driving the convertible for Miss Kaua‘i Veteran is Candice’s dad, Steve Klein. In the passenger side is her brother Gavin. Sitting in the back with Candice is her mom, Jennifer.
The first post is American Legion Post Two organized on Kaua‘i over 55 years ago. The post is led by its commander, Edward Kawamura.
The next vehicle carries members of American Legion Post 51 led by its Commander Bob Westerman.
The next two vehicles, a Jeep and a deuce-and-a-half, are carrying members of American Legion Post 54 and is led by Commander Rob Sanchez. The vehicles are followed by members who are still able to walk. Incidentally, Sanchez is the Chairman for the Veterans Day Parade.
Walking next will be the Korean War veterans led by their commander, Royce Ebesu.
The next group walking are representatives from four veteran organizations on this island. The first organization is the Disabled American Veterans with its commander, Alfonso Garcia. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Vietnam Era Veterans are also represented by Bill Honjiyo, the commander of both organizations. Also part of this combined unit is the Kaua‘i Veterans Club and the commander is William Crowell.
The next group is from the Hawaii Army National Guard. They are members of Troop C, 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry and is commanded by Capt. Reginald Perry.
The Pacific Missile Range under the command of Navy Capt. Aaron Cudnohufsky has provided the next vehicle.
The walking members of this next group are the Shriners. One of its missions is the creation of the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The hospitals provide free orthopedic, burn or spinal-cord injury treatment for children of disadvantaged families. The group is led by Stanton Pa.
The next group of walkers is from Kaua‘i’s own, KQNG Radio led by Denise Roberts and Marc Valentin.
The next marching unit is the 154th Air Control Squadron located in Barking Sands and is led by Capt. Jeffrey Lum. The commander of the squadron is Lt. Col. Myles Moriguchi. Directly in back of the National Guard Unit is the Family Readiness Group consisting of families from both the Air and Army National Guard units. The group is led by Shanlee Jimenez.
The truck with a 25-foot RBS boat in tow is provided by the U.S. Coast Guard on Kaua‘i. Directly in back are walking members of the Coast Guard led by Kai Christensen.
The next vehicle towing a 20-foot boat is provided by the U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary led by Jim Jung.
The next group is the Kapa‘a High School’s Junior ROTC unit led by Col. Jerald G. Knudsen.
The Kapa‘a High School Warriors marching band and color guard is led by band leader Catherine Paleka.
The next float is from Kapa‘a High School and includes their homecoming court. The homecoming queen is Alicia Higa. Kapa‘a High School is the only school with a Mr. Homecoming. Serving as the homecoming king is Mark Balthazar. Following the float are the supporting members of the homecoming court.
DMD Productions proudly presents its reigning royalty. The trailer in back of the truck has the 2007 Kaua‘i Amateur Modeling Competition winners as follows: Baby Miss, Lexis Apilado; Tiny Miss, Kichelle Oana; Mini Miss, Dayleen Campos-Banasihan; Young Miss, Kiana Pagador; Teen Miss, Kristi Celebrado. Also on the trailer is Miss Christina Pico.
On the vehicle military vehicle are the winners of Miss Garden Island Keiki Pageant. They are Miss Tiny Garden Isle 2007 Nia Genegabuas; Miss Garden Island 2007 Michaela Licke; and Miss Tiny Garden Isle 2008 Marli Genegabuas. The keiki are accompanied by Vicky Ramos and Nathan Genegabuas.
This next walking group consists of Girl Scout troops from Lihu‘e and includes Brownie Troop 812; Junior Troop 817; Cadette Troop 540; and Senior Troop 803. The leader of the group is Lauren Sugihara.
The float on the one ton pickup truck coming next was created by M. Kawamura Farms and is supervised by Ed Kawamura Junior. The next group is Boy Scout Troop 133 led by Scoutmaster Mike Kano.
The next is a group of Girl Scouts from Lihu‘e. They are Brownies Troop 273 and Junior Girl Scout Troop 851 with Troop Leader Cheryl Perreira. Also walking are Cadette Troop 852 and Senior Troop 953 with Troop Leader Lisa Shimazu. These girl scout troops are sponsored by the Lihu‘e Christian Church.
The next Boy Scout unit is Troop 148 and is also sponsored by the Lihu‘e Christian Church. They are led by Lyle Tabata.
The next group is the Waimea High School Junior ROTC led by Major Victor Aguilar.
The next trailer has the winners of the Na Hoku O Kaua‘i Pageant under the directorship of Cheryl Perreira.
On the trailer are Baby Miss, Jurney Sablan; Tiny Mister, Leland Keale III; Little Mister, Kai Brun; Tiny Miss, Chyna Fernandez; Little Miss, Haylie DeSilva; Young Miss, Nani Brun; Petite Miss, Kiana Pascua; and finally Teen Miss, Jorey Cantu.
The next group of walkers is the employees from Wal-Mart.
The next group is the American Association of Retired Persons. The AARP is a nonprofit organization for people age 50 and over. The unit is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all as they age.
This next group is from the Kaua‘i Community Correctional facility.
The Aloha Riders Equestrian drill and riding unit is led by Linda Antipala.
The fire truck is provided by the Kaua‘i’s Fire Department. The ambulance is provided courtesy of the American Medical Response unit.
Veterans Day schedule:
The parade starts at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The Veterans Day Memorial Service is at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery.
