Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice

On May 30 at the Ho`olehua Veteran Cemetery, many Molokai families, visitors and a swarm of Molokai vets dressed in “mellow yellows” honored and remembered their fallen comrades from Molokai in all wars that gave the ultimate sacrifice, those who served and died to protect America’s interests and freedom.  Millions of white crosses and grave markers from Normandy to Arlington to Molokai tell the story.  It is this day every year we remember and celebrate with reverence and dignity the spirit and soul of the soldiers.  What an extravaganza in their honor. 

Big mahalos to all Molokai veterans and the public who attended.  Special thanks to Director Marilyn Kim Liu and the Kanikapila Singers from Leeward Community College for their heaven-sent voices; pule from Chaplain Oliver Young; heartfelt speeches from Marine Jesse Church, Marine Weldon Wichman, and Air Force Colonel Dr. David Hafermann; Franklin and Priest, wonderful nostalgic “unforgettable” music; DJ and group “Song of Remembrance;”  Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Kelly, Noah Kaakimaka, and George Awohi with Molokai style sounds;  Clay and Diane Adachi gracing the sky with a rainbow of pigeons; Tica Kekahuna for the wow kau kau; Mike and Nichol Kahale; Marcus Helm; Echo Duvauchelle and her church; Ho`olehua Boy Scouts; Matthew Helm and the MHS Volleyball girls; Steve Arce and county workers; April Kealoha and Corene Helm, Kukui Canoe Club girls; Kelly Richardson and the MIS students; MVCFV (Alyce Kono, Sylvia Pabalan, Manny Garcia, Jesse Dudoit, Earl Paleka, Mac Poepoe, Wendy DeFreitas) for their help that day; and a special kokua to Fr. Clyde Guerreiro and St. Damien Catholic Parish, Pastor Manley and the Baptist Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Shannon Crivello, Kanoho Helm, Carl and Vesta Adolpho, Boy DeMello, Gladys Brown.  Many hands make light work.

Larry Helm, Commander
Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans