HANAPEPE — Under the leadership of the Waimea High School senior instructors, retired U.S. Army Colonel, Jerome Freeman and retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Keith Castaneda, the Waimea High School JROTC battalion joined several hundred guests and dignitaries to pay tribute to all veterans during the Kauai Veterans Council Veterans Day Observance at Kauai Veterans Cemetery on Monday.
Performing under the theme of “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service,” the JROTC units filled their duty stations under heavy overcast skies punctuated with bouts of rain that forced the audience to the cemetery’s pavilion.
“The Waimea High School Army JROTC is actively honoring Hawaii’s military veterans this year as never before,” Freeman said. “In June, 17 Menehune Battalion cadets participated as the largest contingent of an all-Hawaii JROTC Honor Platoon during the D-Day 80th Anniversary commencement in France.”
Freeman said on Veterans Day, the cadets, including many that participated in the European adventure, posted flags in Waimea town and Kekaha, as well as provided the color guard and saber honor guard during the observance at the cemetery.
These milestone events were touched on by the various speakers, including Chief Boatswain’s Mate Michael McHugh, the Officer in Charge, United States Coast Guard Station Kauai.
Retired U.S. Air Force General Mary Kay Hertog, commander of the Kauai Veterans Council, continued the introduction of dignitaries, which included Kaua‘i oldest veteran, Norman Hashisaka, 99, of the Military Intelligence Service, Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi and Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, who earlier authored a special recognition celebrating Hertog’s work in making a difference for veterans on Kauai.
“During the Veterans Day weekend, the Waimea JROTC rendered support, dignity and respect to our Kauai veterans by participating in the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Hawaii Army National Guard hosted Kauai Malama Military food distribution at the Hanapepe Armory,” Freeman said.
“On early Monday, the cadets posted U.S. and Hawaii state flags at local businesses and establishments in Waimea and Kekaha to celebrate the federal holiday. Later, the Menehune Battalion’s world-class color guard and saber honor guard performed at the Kauai Veterans Cemetery to render gratitude to Kauai’s veteran community.”
Menehune Battalion Commander, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Kaye Marie Alvarez was selected by the Kauai Veterans Council to don the title of Miss Kauai Veteran and assisted Hertog in the numerous protocol duties during the observance.
“On December 7th, the date that shall life in infamy, Alvarez, Cadets Fredy Padamada and Breindon Medina have been invited as guests of honor at the Pearl Harb0r Day Parade and Commemoration on Oahu. The support provided by the Menehune Battalion cadets to the veterans of Kauai, and to this island is matched only by the generosity and support of the community and the veterans of this island for the cadets,” Freeman said.
“The mutual, symbiotic relationship between the Menehune Battalion and the Kauai community in commemorating the heritage, earned respect, remembrance, and appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our local veterans is endearing, enduring, and represents the best attitudes of our island’s spirit.”
