Kaua‘i Office of Veterans Services announcements and reminders • Veterans Cemetery: All spouses, widows and/or family members of veterans who are interested in discussing and developing recommendations for improvements at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe are invited to attend
Kaua‘i Office of Veterans Services announcements and reminders
• Veterans Cemetery: All spouses, widows and/or family members of veterans who are interested in discussing and developing recommendations for improvements at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe are invited to attend a meeting to be held at the Kaua‘i Office of Veterans’ Services, Kaua‘i Veterans Center, Lihu‘e, from 10-11 a.m., Aug. 11;
• MIA Memorial: Anyone interested in the establishment of a fitting memorial to honor Kaua‘i’s five Korean War “Missing In Action” veterans is invited to attend a meeting to be held at the KOVS, Kaua‘i Veterans Center from 10-11 a.m., Aug. 13;
• MIA/POW Recognition Day: Anyone interested in developing and planning of events for this year’s observance on Sept. 18 is invited to attend a meeting at the KOVS, from 11-noon, Aug. 14;
• WWII Filipino veterans compensation: Honorably discharged World War II Filipino Veterans who served with the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines or were members of the organized guerrilla forces; or persons who served in the Philippine Scouts before July 1, 1946, may be eligible to receive a one-time veteran’s compensation benefit of $15,000. Claims for this benefit must be received by the VA’s Manila Regional Office no later than Feb. 16. Forms and completion assistance are provided free of charge by the KOVS;
• WWII Filipino veteran photo and recognition certificate: During the “Operation Military Appreciation” family festival June 27, Kaua‘i’s WWII Filipino veterans were recognized by the mayor and County Council and presented individual awards. If any of these veterans still have not received their certificate and/or photo, call the KOVS at 241-3348 as soon as possible;
• Vehicle tax exemption for certain cars furbished to disabled veterans: Passenger cars owned by veterans, who, by reason of their service-connected disability, have been furnished such cars by the federal government and have been so certified by the Veterans Administration, shall be exempted from vehicular taxes. This exemption shall not extend to vehicles used for commercial purposes, or to more than one vehicle of any disabled veteran.
• Kaua‘i remembers our fallen veterans. This special message from Tony Elliott, Veterans Services counselor, Kaua‘i Office of Veterans Services: “Since our nation’s founding, America has been a force of good at home and abroad, and it is this sea of goodwill which continues to lift the spirits of all mankind. To those of you who contributed to this year’s Memorial Day Observance, ‘Thank you,’ and may our lives continue to be blessed for the kindness that you have shown to your veterans. They are: Our beautiful public school children and teachers, employees of Grove Farm Inc., Aloha Cargo, soldiers from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 229th Calvary, and our local Boy/Cub Scouts. With my warmest regards.”
For more information on any of the foregoing messages, contact Tony Elliott at 241-3348, or e-mail telliott@ovs.hawaii.gov. His office is located in the Kaua‘i Veterans Center building, at 3215 Kapule Highway, Lihu‘e, HI 96766.
Freedom Salute Ceremony
In a special invitation from Major General Robert G. G. Lee, the adjutant general for Hawai‘i, he announced that the Freedom Salute Ceremony for returning soldiers from Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, Individual Mobilization Augmentees in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, was held Sunday at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center. The purpose of the ceremony was to honor Army National Guard Soldiers, their families, employers, and the community for their sacrifices and support for current Overseas Contingency Operations. These veterans, to include two Hawai‘i Army Guard retirees, have all been mobilized in support to OCO missions. Kaua‘i’s Point of Contact on this event is William Honjiyo, telephone: (808) 246-1135, Kaua‘i Veterans Center.
Fundraiser disclaimer by Kaua‘i Veterans Council
Several posters have been displayed in various locations on Kaua‘i, which reflects sponsorship of an event on Aug. 10 at the Kaua‘i Convention Center by the American Veterans Association. The latter is an Arizona-based organization with a satellite agency on Maui for business purposes. The event has no connection with the Kaua‘i Veterans Council or any veteran organization chapters on Kaua‘i.
Kaua‘i Veterans Council officers installed for FY 2010
On June 15 at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center, 5th Circuit Judge Trudy Senda administered the oath of office and installed the following KVC officers for fiscal year 2010 (July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010): President William T. Honjiyo, Vice President Christopher Takenaka, Secretary Charlene Dorsey and Treasurer Anthony Hubahib.
2009 nisei reunion announcement
In his letter of invitation to all friends and family of nisei veterans, Lawson Sakai, president of FFNV and a resident of Morgan Hill, Calif., announced the Annual Nisei Veterans Reunion, California Hotel, Las Vegas, to be held Sept. 27 to Oct. 1. The invitation is extended to all veterans of the 100 Battalion, 442 Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service. Sakai emphasized that the deadline for application and return of the reservation-form for this event is Aug. 10.
For more information, contact: Lawson Sakai (408-782-2054), lawson.sake@gmail.com; Vice President Brain Shiroyama (408-776-0361), bshiroyama@yahoo.com; or Secretary/Treasurer Jean Hirasaki (408-842-6973), jhirasaki@verizon.net.
• Anthony Hubahib, a Waimea resident and Waimea High School graduate, began his military career in 1956 with the Air Force. He served 18 years outside the continental United States, including two tours in Vietnam. He later returned to Kaua‘i where he retired with his family after 19 years in hotel hospitality services. He writes this monthly column exclusively for The Garden Island.
