LIHUE — Aida Cruz of the Kauai Veterans Center said the Vietnam veterans never had a homecoming when they returned from serving their country. “This is an opportunity to give them the homecoming they never got,” Cruz said. “We encourage
LIHUE — Aida Cruz of the Kauai Veterans Center said the Vietnam veterans never had a homecoming when they returned from serving their country.
“This is an opportunity to give them the homecoming they never got,” Cruz said. “We encourage all Vietnam Era veterans to walk with us, and we encourage all family members, relatives, and friends to come out and give them the long-awaited welcome.”
The Kauai Veterans Day parade has a theme of honoring the Vietnam veterans, “Giving Kauai Vietnam Veterans the Homecoming They Never Had.”
The parade, traditionally held the first Saturday in November, will start at 10 a.m. at Vidinha Stadium, proceed on Rice Street and end at the Historic County Building, where a program of food and entertainment will continue until 2 p.m.
Harry Shigekane of Wailua, a Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters recipient, will serve as the parade’s grand marshal and Athena Abadilla, a senior at Waimea High School, will make her debut as Miss Veteran.
Ed Kawamura, commandant for the Kauai Veterans Council, said the Veterans Day parade honors all veterans, and invites people to show their support and appreciation, too.
“We’re moving the parade to Lihue to enable more people to come out and support our veterans and their families,” Kawamura said. “The parade used to be held in Kapaa, but we want everyone to support our veterans so this year, we’re having the parade in Lihue.”
Special parade fliers have been circulated by leaders of several business organizations in Lihue, including Pat Griffin, president of the Lihue Business Association, and Mark Perriello, the Kauai Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.
“The Lihue Business Association welcomes the Kauai Veterans Day Parade back to Lihue, the heart of Kauai,” Griffin said in an email. “Give a little heart to our veterans — bring your family to the parade, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.”
Although not formally released, special traffic accommodations will be in force for the parade.
