LIHUE — Sly Bisarra, a rider with the Sons of Kauai motorcycle group, said he had to be at the Veterans Day parade Saturday in Lihue. “I was delayed because of the rain, coming in from Kalaheo,” Bisarra said. “Where
LIHUE — Sly Bisarra, a rider with the Sons of Kauai motorcycle group, said he had to be at the Veterans Day parade Saturday in Lihue.
“I was delayed because of the rain, coming in from Kalaheo,” Bisarra said. “Where are the rest of the brothers? I’m soaking wet, but because I’m a veteran, this is something I had to do.”
Bisarra rounded out the gathering of Kauai Classic Cars which heralded the annual Veterans Day parade that moved to Lihue this year, paying tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War era.
“A lot of the guys are passing away,” said George Cardinez, a veteran and spectator who parked along Hoolako Road. “After school, a lot of guys signed up from Kapaa, Kauai and Waimea high schools. Now, a lot of them are passing away. I was a veteran, but I got sent to Germany, not Vietnam.”
Brigadier General Bruce Oliveira served as the parade’s reviewing officer.
“This is the homecoming you (Vietnam War veterans) never had,” Oliveira said. “This is the time to tell the story that never got told. You never turned your back on the nation that turned its back to you — many blamed you for the Vietnam War, but it was not you. You looked out for each other and made it your mission for today’s soldiers to get the respect they deserve. You were at plane side to shake the hands of those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan — you came home to help build America to where we are.”
Hundreds of people lined Rice Street to thank, honor and pay tribute to veterans as the parade of nearly 50 units acknowledged the crowd for its support of veterans, their families and the nation.
Mark Perriello of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce was joined by chamber members in distributing American flags and other patriotic gear.
“This is the first time, ever,” said Michele Emura. “The chamber has never been in a parade.”
Ed Kawamura, commandant for the Kauai Veterans Council, said the annual Veterans Day service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery.
“It’s important to never forget,” said Charlene Dorsey, chair of the parade and the Miss Kauai Veteran program.
