Memorial Day services with a theme of “A Lasting Tribute” will start at 10 a.m. at the Hanapepe Veterans cemetery on May 26. For those who fly the American flag, the proper procedure on this day is to fly the
Memorial Day services with a theme of “A Lasting Tribute” will start at 10 a.m. at the Hanapepe Veterans cemetery on May 26. For those who fly the American flag, the proper procedure on this day is to fly the flag at half-staff from morning until noon. The flag is then raised to full staff until sunset.
2008 veteran info
The 2008 booklet “Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents” is now available. The free information can be picked up at the Vet Center, 3367 Kuhio Highway. For information, call Lana at 246-1163.
Committee meeting on Kaua’i
The Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs is holding a meeting at 5 p.m. on May 8 at the Veterans Center on Kapule Highway. A widely distributed flyer erroneously stated that the meeting would be at the center on Kuhio Highway.
The committee is interested in determining whether the state’s Office of Veterans Affairs should be transferred from the Department of Defense to another agency. They are also interested in whether the Office of Veterans Affairs is adequately handling the affairs of Hawai‘i veterans. They are also soliciting suggestions on other relevant issues or concerns of veterans in the state.
Veteran of the month
The commander of the Military Order of the Purple Hearts, John Iwamoto, is featured. The Military Order of the Purple Hearts is an elite organization, and membership is open to only those who were wounded in combat. The club meets at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Center.
Iwamoto attended Hanama‘ulu School and graduated from Kaua’i High School in June 1946. When the Korean War started, he enlisted as an infantry man and was assigned to the 23rd Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division. He was wounded in action, awarded the Purple Heart Medal and was recognized with the Silver Star Medal, the third highest military decoration for bravery in a combat zone.
Following his military service, Iwamoto returned to Kaua’i. He was employed with the county’s Building Division until his retirement. Iwamoto resides in Hanama‘ulu. He was very active with the Boy Scouts and the Hanama‘ulu Community Association.
Phase-out of SSNs on ID cards
The Department of Defense will cease issuing ID cards with social security numbers. The numbers will be eliminated upon expiration of the ID card, but will still feature the last four digits. Military retirees, whose cards have no expiration date, will be advised when the new cards are available.
Women veterans
There has been a significant increase in the number of women serving in the Armed Services. Besides the benefits available to all veterans, there is also a full range of comprehensive medical services and other programs for women only. There is a need to reach out and provide this information to the women veterans. For more information, contact Lynn Alward-Bingman at 635-2991.
Support for Guard/Reserve
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve has been in existence since 1972 and has a critical role in ensuring civilian employers comply and the rights of workers who serve are protected. The nation’s reserve component comprise of approximately 45 percent of the total available military manpower.
With the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the reserve forces are playing a more active role with the United States military. The Kaua’i National Guard unit has been alerted for a second activation and deployment to the Middle East.
The organization’s customers are both employers and National Guard and Reserve members. Its mission is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the guard and reserves.
The chair/ombudsman for the island is Navy Capt. Lynn Alward-Bingman. She is available to provide information to employers or individuals on employment issues and the governing federal laws. Contact Lynn at 635-2991.
Military funeral disorderly conduct
The father of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder won a lawsuit against the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. Church members were picketing at military funerals, including Snyder’s. Although a larger amount was awarded, the judge had reduced the punitive damage amount to $2.1 million and compensatory damage of $2.9 million. In a decision on April 3, the federal judge ordered liens on the properties owned by the church.
Widow’s tax is history
The Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Authorization Act had a phased-out reduction plan of the offset upon receipt of Social Security benefits. The offset ended on April 1, and taking effect that day the survivors of those enrolled in the Survivor Benefits Plans are entitled to the full 55 percent of the military retiree’s pay.
Veterans against Senate and House bills
The America’s Wounded Warrior Act (S2674 and HR5509) is being proposed as a result of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. As presently written, there are a few items in the bill that would severely impact on those in receipt of VA disability compensation.
The two recommendations of concern are: first, the offset of VA Disability compensation when the veteran reaches age 65; the second is to eliminate the present protection for ratings in effect for 10 or more years. Veterans who object these proposals are encouraged to ask their representatives in Congress not to support these bills.
Other announcements
• The Korean War veterans’ golf tournament will be held on May 24. The deadline for registration is May 17. If you want to participate or support the tournament, call Royce Ebesu at 822-4341.
• The Veterans Council is accepting applications for Miss Kaua’i Veteran. Call Aida Cruz at 246-1135.
• Those interested in playing in periodic Texas Hold ’Em tournaments are asked to call Johnny Rabasa at 245-1625.
• Veterans who want to join or are seeking information on any of the island’s 14 veteran organizations can call Aida Cruz at 246-1135 or visit the Veterans Center in Lihu‘e.
• Johnny Rabasa, a Hanama‘ulu resident and Kaua‘i High School graduate, served for 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a command sergeant major. He served in Vietnam. He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service, was postmaster at the Kaumakani post office, and worked at the Lihu‘e post office. He writes this monthly column exclusively for The Garden Island.
