KAPA‘A — The rumbling of thunder and the pittering raindrops from pregnant rainclouds did not deter hundreds of people who turned out to honor and salute veterans of all military branches, Saturday, in Kapa‘a. The Veterans Day Parade down Kuhio
KAPA‘A — The rumbling of thunder and the pittering raindrops from pregnant rainclouds did not deter hundreds of people who turned out to honor and salute veterans of all military branches, Saturday, in Kapa‘a.
The Veterans Day Parade down Kuhio Highway paid special tribute this year to the Vietnam veterans for their service.
Terry Daligdig, a retired Army sergeant and Vietnam veteran who earned a Bronze Star and five Purple Hearts, was the first to roll out, leading a caravan of classic cars in his 1934 Ford Coupe.
“We have several Vietnam veterans, so Terry is a natural for this parade,” said Harvey Maeda of the Kaua‘i Classic Cars.
Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Johnny Rabasa, U.S. Army (retired), and 1st Sgt. J.Q. Smith, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), both Vietnam veterans, were selected as grand marshals not only for their service to the country, but for the work they continue to do with the Kaua‘i Veterans Council and Kaua‘i Veterans Center.
“When I was informed of the honor, I felt I didn’t deserve this because we’re just enlisted men,” Rabasa said. “Bill Honjiyo, commander of the KVC, deserved it more because he was an officer and highly decorated.”
But Rabasa said after giving some thought to the selection, his emotions changed.
“This is quite an honor,” he said. “Enlisted men don’t usually get selected for these types of honors and J.Q. Smith and myself were once enlisted men, coming up the ranks.”
Rabasa, born on Maui and raised in Koloa, graduated from Kaua‘i High School and served more than 30 years in the U.S. Army, becoming the first Kaua‘i soldier to attend the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
During his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, four Meritorious Service and three Army Commendation medals.
Smith is one of the rare veterans who served in three wars: World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was wounded twice, once in World War II and once in the Vietnam War. Besides earning the Purple Hearts, he was awarded the Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat V, the Air Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.
Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong, State of Hawai‘i adjutant general, acknowledged the prestigious awarding Wednesday of the Congressional Gold Medal to veterans, largely nissei, or second-generation Japanese Americans, of the 100th Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service.
He likened the experience of the nissei soldiers to veterans of the Vietnam War who returned home to fight prejudice as well as the enemy and noting how Gen. Eric Shinseki, a Kaua‘i boy and Vietnam veteran, overcame the return from war to empty streets and hearts.
“Hawai‘i produces amazing heroes,” said Wong, a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i ROTC program. “It’s because it’s a part of the culture and upbringing.”
He added Hawai‘i also knows how to take care of its kupuna, looking to the past for inspiration, pointing out last month marked anniversaries for skirmishes in Afghanistan and Iraq, the testing ground for yet another generation of young veterans.
“It is our responsibility to care for veterans (of any war) who step forward in the service of our country,” Wong said. “Two-thirds of the Vietnam veterans were volunteers and represented 9.7 percent of its generation. Veterans are part of the fabric, woven into the American and Hawaiian flags.”
The parade serves as a preface to the Kaua‘i Veterans Council annual Veterans Day Service at 11 a.m., Friday, at Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
