People of Hawaii Honor Military Ohana

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

HONOLULU (NNS) -- More than a thousand joint military service members participated in a parade in Honolulu May 22 to celebrate Military Appreciation Month.

Themed "Aloha to Our Military Ohana – Then and Now," the event was hosted by the United Services Organizations (USO) Hawaii, BAE Systems, TriWest Health Care Alliance and the City and County of Honolulu to honor all military active duty service members, Reservists, wounded warriors, military retirees and veterans.

According to the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii website, the event celebrates the military's presence in the islands, and it is a way to extend deepest appreciation for the military's vital contributions to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the Hawaii Ohana.

"We are part of a bigger picture of celebration for the Military Appreciation Month," said USO Hawaii Director Eva Laird Smith. "This is a culminating event where the USO partners with a lot of community supporters. We are here today to honor the military, their services to the country, especially to Hawaii."

The parade, which began at Fort DeRussy, featured marching units, marching bands, color guards, military vehicles and veterans from past years.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Nicholas Dempsey, assigned to the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, attended the event with his wife and two children. He participated in the parade by joining the Navy's marching unit, comprised of various commands.

"I enjoyed it," Dempsey said. "It felt really good parading down the street. Everything afterward has been really fun. My kids have been enjoying it. It's really a good thing for the community to do to show their support for the military."

The parade ended at Kapiolani Park, where military families and civilians were treated to food booths and live music entertainment. Local entertainers Danny Kaleikini and Carole Kai hosted the live entertainment at the event, and Honolulu Zoo opened its doors to military families for free crafts, games and zoo visits.

Chief Culinary Specialist (SW) Randy Basat and Sailors assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam gave away free hotdogs at Kapiolani Park as a way to give back to the community.

"We are here to support the military appreciation day," said Basat. "We are in the military, and we like to give back to our own military because they are our family."

At the event, Smith reminded people of the many military members who are deployed. Smith said that she misses them very much.

"They are never so far away from our hearts, and even when we enjoy ourselves in celebration of this month for them, our thoughts are never too far away from them," said Smith. "We wish them well. We wish them safety."