Waianae community honors Veterans

By Kayla Overton, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public AffairsNovember 17, 2009

Waianae community honors Veterans
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WAIANAE, Hawaii -Veterans of Foreign Wars, Leeward Post No. 849, display the colors during the 28th Annual Veterans Day Parade in Waianae. The Waianae Military Civilian Advisory Council (WMCAC) honored veterans and service members during its 28th Ann... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Waianae community honors Veterans
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WAIANAE, Hawaii -Members of the Special Forces Association, Chapter VIII, ride along the parade route in a two-ton truck, courtesy of the Hawaii Military Vehicle Preservation Association. The Waianae Military Civilian Advisory Council (WMCAC) honored... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Waianae community honors Veterans
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WAIANAE, Hawaii -Soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, wave and express their appreciation to onlookers at the Waianae Veterans Day Parade. The Waianae Military Civilian Advisory Council (WMCAC) honored veterans a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Waianae community honors Veterans
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WAIANAE, Hawaii -Parade grand marshal Brig. Gen. Edwin (Skip) Vincent, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Air Force, Mobilization Assistant, Strategic Planning and Policy, waves to crowds along the parade route. The Waianae Military Civilian Advisory Council... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Waianae community honors Veterans
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WAIANAE, Hawaii -Sgt. Albert Owens, 13th Military Police Detachment, Special Reactions Team, shows 4-year-old Ghazel Ah Cheung-Fuamatu how his radio works. The Waianae Military Civilian Advisory Council (WMCAC) honored veterans and service members du... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WAIANAE, Hawaii - The Waianae Military Civilian Advisory Council (WMCAC) honored veterans and service members during its 28th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Hoolaulea (Hawaiian party), here, Nov. 7.

Honoring those who have served, spectators gathered along Farrington Highway to watch the parade, which ran from the Waianae Boat Harbor to the Waianae Mall, where the Hoolaulea was held.

"(The WMCAC) has been supporting the Veterans Day Parade for many years now; it has become an event the community looks forward to each year," said Rocky Naeole, WMCAC president. "The parade spreads awareness about the Army and brings cohesiveness between the Waianae community and the military."

Brig. Gen. Edwin (Skip) Vincent, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Air Force, Mobilization Assistant, Strategic Planning and Policy, served as the grand marshal for this year's parade.

The parade consisted of 32 different participating units, a marching unit and several tactical vehicles, including a Fox reconnaissance vehicle from the 71st Chemical Detachment, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, and a light medium tactical vehicle (LMTV), a Stryker and an armored combat vehicle from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

The Hawaii Military Vehicle Preservation Association loaned a few of its restored military vehicles, including a two-ton truck, which the Special Forces Association used during the parade.

Twelve Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) units and school bands from Waianae High School and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School marched along the route as well.

The parade ended with a Hoolaulea, which featured military vehicles, static displays, K-9 working dogs and their handlers, food booths, crafts, hula dancers and live music.

After the parade, 13 high school JROTC units participated in an islandwide drill meet where they contended for bragging rights for best color guard, rifle spin-off, and other competitions.

Local elected officials in attendance included State Representative Karen Awana and State Representative Maile Shimabukuro.

WMCAC was established with the goal of building a lasting relationship centered on poise and respect between the military and the Waianae community.

Recently celebrating its 30th anniversary, WMCAC continues its support to the Waianae community by honoring those who have served by holding the Veterans Day Parade each year.

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