HANAPEPE — A hearty and enthusiastic round of applause peppered with equally enthusiastic “chee-hoo” from Norman Hashisaka on Monday when retired General Mary Kay Hertog, the commander of the Kaua‘i Veterans Council, introduced Hashisaka as the oldest living veteran on Kaua‘i.
Hashisaka was one of several hundred people who visited the annual Kaua‘i Veterans Council Memorial Day service held at the specially decorated Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe that was bathed by the warm sun.
“As we reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, it’s impossible not to feel a deep sense of gratitude for the brave men and women, who stood on the front lines, who faced unimaginable dangers and who paid the ultimate price so that we could live in liberty,” said Pacific Missile Range Facility Commander Captain Brett Stevenson in his keynote address. “This day is about them, and their stories, and their heroism, their unwavering commitment to the values we all hold dear.”
Hertog took advantage of the active participation by the Waimea High School JROTC to inform the “record crowd” of the upcoming trip to Europe by cadets, who will be participating in the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“We must remember and honor the extraordinary legacy of the 100th Battalion, a unit composed mostly of Japanese Americans, many from right here on Kaua‘i. Known as the ‘Purple Heart Battalion’ for their incredible bravery and the numerous injuries they sustained on the battlefield, the 100th Battalion’s story is one of remarkable courage and perseverance,” Stevenson said.
“I want to recognize Ken Morikawa and thank him for all he does to keep the memory of the 100th Battalion alive, and for honoring their service and their sacrifice. During World War II, while many of their families faced internment and discrimination, these incredible men — chose to fight for a country that didn’t always fight for them.
“They fought with an unwavering belief in the promise of America, the promise that all are created equal, that justice would ultimately prevail. Their valor and dedication on the battlefields of Europe are etched in our history. They did not just fight against a foreign enemy, they fought against prejudice and proved that loyalty, courage, and patriotism are not defined by the color of one’s skin, or the origin of one’s ancestors.
“So let us remember their sacrifices. These brave souls whose blood mingled with the soil of faraway lands, whose names and stories we must carry forward. Let us teach our keiki about their bravery, so that the memory of the 100th Battalion and their contribution to our freedoms is never forgotten.”
