Honoring community contributions of local Soldiers

By Staff Sgt. Carlos Davis, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public AffairsJuly 28, 2015

Honoring community contributions of local Soldiers
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WAHIAWA, Hawaii -- Spc. Kyle W. Trigg, from Spokane, Wash., a cannon crewmember assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, plays taps to honor Wahiawa war heroes durin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Honoring community contributions of local Soldiers
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WAHIAWA, Hawaii -- Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, participate in the First Wahiawa District Park War Memorial Ceremony July 26 in Wahiawa. The ceremony was d... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Honoring community contributions of local Soldiers
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WAHIAWA, Hawaii -- Citizens, Gold Star Families and friends present leis to the 21 Veterans during the first Wahiawa District Park War Memorial Ceremony July 26 in Wahiawa. The ceremony was designed to highlight lives and contributions that 21 vetera... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WAHIAWA, Hawaii -- Soldiers participated in a ceremony, July 26, at the Wahiawa District Park War Memorial Swimming Pool in honor of the Sons of Wahiawa, 21 Soldiers who fought bravely to protect freedom in their country during World War II.

The ceremony was held to honor the 21 Sons of Wahiawa who donated money to help build the Wahiawa community during their service to World War II.

Just like the 21 Soldiers who demonstrated selfless service by placing their community first Soldiers of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division were honored to be a part of the first Dedication Memorial Ceremony with a 21 gun salute.

"We are really pleased to be a part of this ceremony; we are really pleased to come out here and work with the community and also just honored to support the community as they honor their war heroes," said 2nd Lt. Macklin Wagner, from Grandville, Ohio, the fire directional officer assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2SBCT.

The relationship between the military and the Wahiawa community has be longstanding since 1944.

According to Ms. Jeanne Ishikawa, in 1944, the citizens of Wahiawa raised $800 to support Soldiers who enlisted into the Army from Hawaii and fought in World War II, however, the Sons of Wahiawa figured it would better to put the money back into the community.

"Instead of spending the money on themselves the Valiant Sons on the Community elected to send the money back to community and use it to form an organization that would continue to serve the community," she said. "This swimming pool is something that the community came together and built to honor the 21 Soldiers who died in the war and was something they built for the future of Wahiawa."

Wahiawa Lion International Club President Don Robbins, the event coordinator, said he's honored to continue the relationship between the community and the military.

"By dedicating this swimming pool to the 21 Sons of Wahiawa and having the Soldiers of 2-11 FAR here today we are honored to continue the legacy, friendship, and relationship between the Wahiawa Community and the military," said Robbins.

Just as the 21 Sons of Wahiawa were honored to service this community and country, present Soldiers, who are stationed at Schofield Barracks, are willing to carry on the torch.

"It carries on the strong tradition of service that these men, our forefathers undertook when their country called upon them, that we currently undertake today, and what others will take after us," Wagner added. "So there is always someone picking up mantel."

Ishikawa said the Wahiawa War Memorial Swimming Pool is the first recreational swimming pool in Hawaii City or County.

"For generations our families have enjoyed this pool," she said. "Before this swimming pool was built people were swimming in what we called the river by the train tracks…it was a very dangerous situation."

The Wahiawa War Memorial Swimming Pool symbolizes the special bond and legacy the community shares with the military. Events such as these shows the community appreciates what the military stands for.