Veterans Celebration Set to Honor Korean and Vietnam War Heroes on Kauai
LIHUE — The Kauai Veterans Council is inviting the community to the annual Veterans Celebration this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium soccer field, honoring both veterans and active military personnel with a day filled with craft vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities.
Retired U.S. Air Force General Mary Kay Hertog underscored the importance of honoring veterans, particularly those who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Hertog remarked, "We only have a handful of surviving Korean War veterans; it is crucial we pay tribute to them now." The Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, resulted in over 3 million casualties, including more than 33,000 American lives.
The event will also celebrate Akiyo Matsuyama, the sister of Kauai’s MIA Private First Class Takeshi Sasaki, who recently turned 100. Akiyo has dedicated her life to uncovering details about her brother’s fate and preserving the memory of those who remain unaccounted for.
Additionally, Vietnam veterans will be honored for their service in a conflict that left deep scars on the nation and its veterans. With over 58,000 American deaths in Vietnam, including 276 from Hawaii, these veterans faced significant challenges upon returning home, often without the recognition they deserved until the Vietnam Veterans Recognition Act was signed in 2017.
The celebration, supported by local businesses and organizations, offers free lunches to all attending veterans from a selection of food trucks. This event aims to honor the sacrifices made by veterans and their families and ensure their contributions are never forgotten.
For more information, contact Dennis Fujimoto at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
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