Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3830 and its auxiliary on Monday honored the men and women who sacrificed their lives in defense of our nation.
Among the military members, veterans, dignitaries and friends and families of the fallen who gathered for a Memorial Day ceremony at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 1 in Hilo was a pair of gentlemen introduced by Debra Lewis, a retired Army colonel and the VFW post commander.
One was 95-year-old Wataru Kohashi, a veteran of the 100th Infantry Battalion — an outfit of Japanese-American soldiers affectionately known as the “One Puka Puka” — which served with distinction in the European Theater in World War II. The 100th also is known as the “Purple Heart Battalion” because of the staggering amount of combat casualties it suffered.
“They had over 300 percent casualties in his platoon. I think there were only three other members besides himself who returned home. I just want you to recognize that that kind of sacrifice, we live with the rest of our lives,” Lewis said.
The other honoree was Wilfred “Fred” Park, a retired Army master sergeant whose twin brother, Wilson Park, a private first class in the 5th Regimental Combat Team, was killed in action Aug. 9, 1950, in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, one of the Korean War’s first major conflicts.
Mayor Harry Kim, a Vietnam War veteran and Army combat medic, recognized the influence of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion on his life, describing them as “the first reason this boy from Olaa felt good about who he was as a person, because of who I am and not what I look like.”
“Every time I hear someone say they cannot forget the sacrifice of those in front of us and behind us … I say, ‘We must not forget,’” Kim said. “There’s a Vietnam War Memorial in the back of our county building. And once in awhile, I’ll walk down there and sit down, and I pick some plumerias, four of them, to place on each corner of the monument. … But you know what I feel? The greatest sadness … when I’m looking at the names — and there’s 51 names, all from this island. The sadness of their age, never knowing life. When you feel that kind of sadness, I think you understand when we say, ‘We must not forget.’”
The keynote speaker was James “Kimo” Wheeler, a retired Special Forces command sergeant major and retired CIA senior paramilitary officer, who’s a Native Hawaiian and member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha. He acknowledged the difference between this Memorial Day on the Big Island and Memorial Days past.
“Traditionally, we gather to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the American way of life, our freedom and basic human liberties,” Wheeler said. “I know it is extremely difficult for all of us to focus on pomp and circumstance while others nearby are experiencing difficult and heartbreaking times brought upon them by the volcanic eruptions and disturbances of Kilauea. Our hearts and thoughts go out to those affected and remaining in harm’s way. We can only pray that Madame Pele will cease her rumblings and tantrums soon.
“In these trying times affecting our Big Island communities, a special mahalo and recognition to Hawaii National Guard, the federal soldiers, Marines, airmen, law enforcement officers, first responders and the many providing medical and humanitarian aid, support and voluntary assistance to our fellow citizens. All of you provide true testament to the word ‘aloha.’”
Lewis said VFW Post 3838 has funds available for veterans displaced by the current eruption. She said veterans in need of a helping hand can visit the post at 15-775 Maluhia Road in Nanawale Estates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. She asked that veterans requesting funds provide a copy of their form DD-214, although she acknowledged for some that could be difficult.
For more information, call 965-7032.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.