The public is invited to a Vietnam War Memorial Service today on the Keaukaha Military Reservation in Hilo.
To acknowledge the upcoming Memorial Day, soldiers from Hawaii National Guard Army Reserve who lost their lives in combat during the Vietnam War will be honored with a service at the memorial at 12 p.m. today.
The memorial lists the names of 10 soldiers from Hilo in the Ltc. Henry S. Hara Armed Services Reserve Center at the Keaukaha Military Reserve. The soldiers served in the Hawaii National Guard 29th Infantry Brigade and made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War in 1968 and 1969.
“We have been talking about hosting a ceremony for many years, but haven’t been able to put it together until now,” Delbert Nishimoto said. “Now we’re ready to honor these soldiers who were called to active duty and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”
Members of the public who want to attend the free ceremony will be able to enter KMR after stopping at the guard post at the front of the base.
Former Mayor Harry Kim will give the keynote address, and representatives for U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, Gov. Josh Green and Mayor Mitch Roth also will give messages during the ceremony.
The Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy will post and retire the colors, and Nishimoto will read the names of fallen comrades from the honor roll.
The names honored on the wall are 1LT John Kauhaihao, SFC Edward Loo Jr., SGT Wilfredo Andrada, SP4 Rodney Fukunaga, SP4 Larry Leopoldino, SP4 Frank Longakit, SP4 Alberto Milar Jr., PFC Dennis Panis, PFC Glenn Shibata and PFC Dennis Silveri.
“We want to start doing this ceremony annually to tell these soldiers’ stories and perpetuate the fact that freedom is not free,” Nishimoto said. “We’re excited to have people come out to honor our veterans, those living and who have passed, and current members of the armed forces.”