Thirteen volunteers from the American Legion Hilo Post 3 spent part of Saturday, March 25, sprucing up the Hawaii County Vietnam Veterans and Korean War monuments in the Wailoa River State Recreation Area.
The volunteers wanted to do their part to honor National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day, which is observed every year on March 29.
The volunteers spent the day weed-whacking and mowing the grounds around the monuments, pressure-washing the plaques and walkways, and removing dead palm leaves.
“This was our way to thank and honor America’s Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice. Those who fought in Vietnam are part of us, part of our history. They reflected the best in us,” said Post 3 commander Harvey Motomura. “No number of wreaths, no amount of music and memorializing will ever do them justice, but it is good for us to honor them and to remember their sacrifices.”
Fifty men from around the Big Island made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Their names are etched in the granite at the monument in perpetuity.
“They died uncomplaining,” Motomura said. “The tears staining their mud-caked faces were not for self-pity, but for the sorrow they knew the news of their death would cause their families and friends.”
According to Post 3, 2.7 million U.S. servicemembers served in the Vietnam War.