LIHU‘E — Over a hundred of Kaua‘i’s veterans, their families, and friends gathered at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Kapule Hwy to celebrate their Annual Fourth of July Roundup, Monday, July 4. A handful of culinary artists headed up by
LIHU‘E — Over a hundred of Kaua‘i’s veterans, their families, and friends gathered at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Kapule Hwy to celebrate their Annual Fourth of July Roundup, Monday, July 4.
A handful of culinary artists headed up by Adam Britto collected under a tent in the back of the veteran center where they tended the day’s lunch offering that needed a dash of smell-o-vision as the spicy aroma of cinnamon filled the kitchen from one of the dessert dishes.
Outside, the culinary crew worked on hot dogs and hamburgers along with a pot filled with baked beans simmering on one of the gas stoves.
“At least once a year, gotta go American,” Gus Garcia joked. “This year, it’s baked beans.”
Inside the center, Kaua‘i Veteran Council commander Frank Cruz mingled with guests who enjoyed the fellowship of other veterans and their families while waiting on lunch.
At one end of the center, representatives from various agencies involved with helping veterans with their affairs were on hand since early in the morning to answer questions on any concerns the veterans, or their families might have.
Manny Corregedore, long-time veteran advocate was also on hand chatting with acquaintances who sometimes only meet during these roundups.
Ed Kawamura, another veteran affairs advocate who donned his safari hat for the occasion, also made an appearance and was almost instantly swamped from people who wanted to catch up on the latest veteran issues.
While passing the time, guests could also browse through the Military Museum that was open for the event, its confines already outgrowing the collection of artifacts from the many wars Kaua‘i veterans were involved in.
Of note at this year’s event was the appearance of Adam Mathew, one of two Kaua‘i martial arts fighters who was involved in a Sunday night event. Mathew, the son of Britto, said he and another Kaua‘i fighter, Isaac Josiah did well, Mathew ending the evening with a second place trophy for his efforts, and Josiah, winning every round of his event, but coming up short of the gold.
Mathew said the event was taped by Bare Knuckles, his sponsor, and will be shipped to the troops stationed in Iraq as part of the Project Morale program that his father is involved in.
That thought motivated the Kaua‘i fighter to do well in the fight event.
But, with not even a bruise to show from his Sunday night encounters, Mathew took up his post alongside his dad and other veterans as they served up lunch for the day.
