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Yukio Okutsu residents treated to surprise parade

Monday, May 25, 2020 12:05 am

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KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald Family members wave as they pass by residents.

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KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald Veterans home residents and employees wait for the parade to start.

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KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald Janet Hamada waves a flag.

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KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald Toni Isabel smiles as her vehicle drives past residents Friday.

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KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald Recreation director Stacyn Sakuma waves alongside Susumu Nakagawa and Kozo Hirayama during a parade Friday in front of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo.

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KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald Tom Otomo waves a flag in front of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home.

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KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald A family member waves to a relative at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home.

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KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald Kozo Hirayama, left, talks with activity assistant Rachael Segawa Friday during a Memorial Day parade at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo.

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After two months of isolation from any visitors, family members and loved ones put on a surprise parade for Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home residents on Friday morning.

The surprise came in honor of the Memorial Day weekend. Second-story residents came down to the front of the building to find a bubble machine, leis and tiny American flags.

Although face masks were required, joy seeped through the eyes of the residents surprised to see their family members drive by.

Some cars were decorated with balloons and signs and some had a full car of smiles and waves. Relatives gave their loved ones gifts to take back to their rooms after the parade.

First-floor residents will have their parade in honor of Memorial Day this week.