LIHU‘E — In every generation, members of our armed forces have answered the call to service in our nation’s hour of need. When our country has needed them, our men and women in uniform have proudly stepped forward and selflessly
LIHU‘E — In every generation, members of our armed forces have answered the call to service in our nation’s hour of need. When our country has needed them, our men and women in uniform have proudly stepped forward and selflessly endured hardships to defend liberty.
We are grateful to all who have served, and on National POW/MIA Recognition Day — Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 — we gave special honor to the extraordinary patriots who have been prisoners of war and to those who remain missing in action.
Sixty-four years after the end of World War II, the fate of more than 78,000 Americans who fought in that conflict remains unknown. More than 8,100 from the Korean War are missing, more than 120 from the Cold War, and more than 1,900 from the Vietnam War.
These Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our freedoms, must never be forgotten and we ask for god’s special blessing on their families who awake each day not knowing the fate of their loved one.
Of the approximate 88,000 total veterans who remain officially listed as Missing in Action, five Korean War veterans were from Kaua‘i. They are:
— Sgt. Jose Balalong: Declared Missing in Action on Nov. 2, 1950
— Sgt. Sidney Kaui: Declared Missing in Action on Dec. 2, 1950
— Cpl. Mitsuyoshi Ishida: Declared Missing in Action on Dec. 7, 1950
— Pfc. Takeshi Sasaki: Declared Missing in Action on Apr. 26, 1951
— Cpl. Muneo Yaka: Declared Missing in Action on Oct. 15, 1952
As recovery efforts have continued for these veterans over so many years, their family’s hopes of their loved one’s safe return have faded into hopes of recovery of their remains — to at least allow a dignified burial.
In honor of our five Kaua‘i soldiers who have not come home, the Kaua‘i MIA Memorial Committee set up a public display from Sept. 14-18 in the Kapule Building (driver’s license and vehicle registration) located in Lihu‘e.
We hope that you will pause for a moment of respect for our fellow comrades in arms and their families, and pray that they may find peace and some measure of comfort in knowing that Kaua‘i remembers.
• SgtMaj. Tony Elliott USMC (Ret) is a member of the Hawai‘i Office of Veterans Services on Kaua‘i.
