The 13th annual Hawaii Island Veterans Day Parade, which is virtual this year, will kick off Veterans Day week.
The unique parade video will be launched and available at 10 a.m. Saturday on the parade website and Facebook accounts.
“Amidst challenging COVID times, our parade’s theme ‘Celebrate Service’ is as relevant and needed as ever,” said retired Army Col. Deb Lewis, the parade committee chairperson. “Take last year’s parade entry, the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island. They looked at their resources and began a vital mission delivering meals islandwide to help the most vulnerable. By Thanksgiving, they expect to reach 130,000 meals. This feat is made possible by many — the leadership of (CEO) Chad Cabral, his caring staff and board, an army of volunteers and generosity of businesses and grants.”
This year’s parade highlights include a special message from four-time Super Bowl champion Terry Bradshaw,
“To all our veterans out there, we love you, we can’t possibly thank you enough. You do not hear this enough. We do not take lightly the service you provide to this country that gives us our freedom,” Bradshaw said.
Three entities are being recognized as parade marshals are recognized for their extraordinary service.
This year’s grand marshal is Korean War Veterans. The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. With approximately 3 million war fatalities, those who served suffered tremendous hardships to keep South Korea free.
The community parade marshal is Hawaii Care Choices, and the business parade marshal is Isemoto Contracting. Both organizations serve the community and veterans in many ways every day.