Vol. 11, No. 3 State of Hawaii Office of Veterans Services December 2007 Veterans Cemetery needs expansion, contractor By Kim Eaton While the state is still pushing for the VA to approve the other West Hawaii Today phases, the burial site expansion was a priority as the cemetery [email protected] was running out of burial plots, said the former director of the state Office of Veterans Services (OVS). The money is available -- the challenge is finding someone will- Based on the approximate 17,000 veterans on the Big Island, ing to do the job. an informal study completed last year revealed that 2,818 West The state is seeking bids for the expanding the West Hawaii Vet- Hawaii veterans will die during the next 20 years. Of those, 564 erans Cemetery (WHVC) south burial area, and contractors have want to be buried at the WHVC; 282 spouses would also like to be until June 28 to submit proposals. buried at the cemetery. The job, estimated to cost between $500,000 and $1 million, The new burial area will have 253 double depth casket plots to generally consists of excavation, backfill and establishing turf over provide for double interment of husband and wife. Another area of the new area. There will be a pre-bid meeting and a state-conduct- expansion would develop 202 cremains plots, Grogan added. ed site visit 9 a.m. Wednesday at the cemetery’s parking lot. “What the veterans have done in Kona with the community sup- “We have the funding, it’s just finding someone to do the work,” port, it’s been fabulous,” the former director said. “But the things said Keith Ribbentrop with the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, we’re doing, (the veterans) just can’t do on their own. They need Hawaii branch. “If we can’t find anyone to perform, the feds will money from the VA to expand the cemetery.” pull the funding.” While the bid has only been out about a week, “We have the funding, it’s Federal Funding Constraints Ribbentrop’s concerns come from a similar situ- just finding someone to do However, it has been difficult to secure fund- ation that occurred last year. A project went out ing from the VA as there is only $32 million com- to bid -- placing concrete grave liners -- but there the work. If we can’t find mitted for all state cemeteries, Ribbentrop said. were no bids. The money was reallocated to the anyone to perform, the “The expansion of the WHVC will happen, it’s cemetery’s master plan, instead of being used on feds will pull the funding” just happening slowly,” he said. improvements, Ribbentrop said. Despite challenges in finding federal funding, -- Keith Ribentrop there has been a good deal of work completed Expanding the Cemetery at the cemetery through community support and The burial site expansion is but one phase of the cemetery’s contributions. From fencing and an irrigation system to thousands master plan and the only phase that has been approved by the of plants and columbarias, area businesses, schools and volun- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The next phase, which area teers have worked hard to improve the WHVC. veterans hope to have completed by Veterans Day next year, is “There’s no question about it. When we first started working construction of a committal shelter, additional landscaping and, on this, we heard comments that people didn’t want to be buried hopefully, a restroom. there, but now there’s been a change in attitude,” said Herb Lum, John Grogan, president of WHVC Development and Expansion Korean War veteran. “All you have to do is see how it was before. Association, said the VA has plans to spend $3 to $5 million on It was a rock-strewn, weed-covered burial field. That’s why it was short-term cemetery improvements and expansion. called Boot Hill. It really looked terrible.” “I’m very optimistic,” Grogan said. “We very much appreciate the However, some, like Lum, are slightly less optimistic that the forward thinking of all those involved.” projects will actually happen in the near future. Grogan stressed, however, that the money was planned but not “There’s been talk all along of money being put aside for differ- committed. ent projects, but not much activity has taken place,” he said. Kona Veterans Cemetery gets grant from VA Office of Veterans Services State of Hawaii 459 Patterson Road E-Wing, Rm. 1-A103 Honolulu, HI 96819-1522 Photo by Carswell “Caz” J. Ross Jr. On Aug. 28, at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery located in Kona was granted $743,035 in federal funds. Col. (Ret.) Gene Castagnetti, USMC (far right), VA representative presented a check to the Office of Veterans Services Dir. Mark Moses (holding check) with Brig. Gen. Gary Ishikawa, the Dep. Adj. Gen. and Sen. Daniel Akaka, VA Committee Chair. The grant will be used to maintain and expand the cemeteries’ in Kona. New Faces at OVS We have hired an information special- Director’s Message ist, Jayme Sato. She will prepare regular Maj. (Ret.) Mark S. Moses, U.S. Marine Corps and special editions of the Hawaii Veteran newsletter, redesign and maintain an up- Director, State Office of Veterans Services to-date informative and exciting website, loha, I am I retired in 1991 with nearly 25 years as a inform the media and public of veteran’s AMark Moses major and returned to my Makakilo (now events and activities, and will chronicle and I am ex- part of Kapolei) home on Oahu. and photograph them. tremely proud I worked in Hawaii as a senior systems We also hired a clerk, Ina Wienecke, for to have been engineer, Computer Sciences Corpora- our Veteran Services Branch at the main given the op- tion, Applied Technologies Division, Ar- OVS office at Tripler Hospital. She has portunity to lington Va., and as their senior project improved our capability to assist veter- serve as your engineer at Pacific Missile Test Center/ ans by filing and retrieving client’s case new Director Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMTC/ files and Form DD214s, responding to of the Office of Veterans’ Services (OVS). PMRF), Barking Sands, Kauai. visitors questions, and greeting and rout- While working at OVS, many of you have I became increasingly involved with ing clients to counselors or other service asked about my background. I would like community and service organization. In providers. to share the following with you. 1994, my wife and I led a petition drive In addition, we hired a temporary After graduating from high school and to form a new neighborhood board on the counselor for our Maui Office, and have before beginning college, I enlisted in the Ewa Plains because the new Second City completed on-site training for our “roving U.S. Marine Corps on Jan. 31, 1967. I of Kapolei was being born. I ran for and counselor”, John Condello, who is located was an air control/anti-aircraft weapons was elected to this board and served until at the main OVS office. Together with our electronics operator and was eventually elected to the House of Representatives in Oahu, Kauai and Big Island counselors, promoted to staff sergeant and on the 1996 where I served until 2006. our Veteran Services coordinator leads gunnery sergeant list when I earned my I am married and live with my wife Kyo- a dedicated team to serve our veterans college degree in physics through the Na- ng Soon (Suk) Moses, and children Mi- statewide. val Enlisted Scientific Education Program chael (New Mexico Tech), Matthew (Kapo- The final service we provide our veter- (NESEP), and accepted a commission as lei High School), and twins Madelyn and ans and their families is interment in a a Marine second lieutenant. Mitchell (Kapolei Middle School). veteran cemetery with decorum and ap- After earning my flight officer wings I Both my eldest daughter Michelle propriate honors. Veterans deserve a fi- became an electronic warfare officer and (USNR), and son James (former USN), nal resting place complete with perpetual mission commander in EA-6A and (later live in California with their families. My care. In adherence to best burial practic- after transition training) EA-6B tactical eldest son, Jon (USA) died while a mem- es, we have begun procuring Burial Vaults jet aircraft operating ashore and aboard ber of the 45th Support Group, Schofield for use in all burials in Veterans Ceme- aircraft carriers. Because of my mustang Barracks. teries statewide. The use of vaults helps status and previous enlisted grade, my Now that I’ve shared my background, maintain the aesthetics of the grounds call sign became “Gunny”. I would like to address some initiatives I and makes it safer for visiting loved ones, After tours from Southeast Asia to Asia believe will allow the Office of Veterans’ with less maintenance used for leveling. to Europe, on and over the Atlantic and Services to improve services to Hawaii’s Maintenance personnel can devote more Pacific Oceans, and in at least 10 States, veterans. time to grooming the cemetery grounds.

III. GWOT State Memorial a review of needs for Hawaii’s • Appropriation has been veteran community and pres- OVS PROJECTS transferred to DAGS as ex- ent these findings for consider- I. Neighbor Island Veterans by the VA to develop the north pending agency. ation of legislative action. Cemeteries side of the property. • DAGS has worked with Completed Veteran Cemetery DOD to select the Archi- projects West Hawaii Veterans Cem- tect and Engineering firms for the project. • Kauai Veterans Cemetery, etery Phase IIC (in progress) • Next we will set up the Phase I • The Preliminary Revised selection committee to pro- • Molokai’s Hoolehua Veter- Master Plan is being prepared vide guidance for them to ans Cemetery by the consultant and will be determine the design and • Lanai Veterans Cemetery submitted to the VA for review concept of the monument. • Maui’s Makawao Veterans and approval. • MG Lee has designated Cemetery • Subject to the VA’s ap- OVS Director Mark Moses • East Hawaii Veterans Cem- proval of the Preliminary Re- as the chair of this com- etery No. 1 & 2, Phase I vised Master Plan, the scope for mittee. Phase IIC can be confirmed. Kauai Veterans Cemetery (in IV. Veterans Centers Additional cemetery projects progress) • Oahu Veterans Cen- • Construction has started needed: ter Phase 1 & 2 complete, on the new columbarium. • OVS will initiate applying fund raising for phase 3. • The contractor is slightly for additional state funds that • Molokai Veterans behind schedule; however, will be eligible for 100% Fed- Center, state grant re- he/she is still scheduled to eral reimbursement from the ceived for planning and complete the project before the VA. The funding will be used design. end of October so we meet the for niche space for Hoolehua goal of having the columbarium Veterans Cemetery on Molokai, completed before the Veterans’ Hilo Hawaii, and Hanapepe, V. Report on Cemeteries Day ceremony. Kauai in the upcoming Legisla- and Memorials/Admin- tive session. istrative Rules Public West Hawaii Veterans Cem- Hearings • Starting process of etery Phase IIB (in progress) II. Hawaii State Veterans traveling to each Cemetery • Completed setting up the Cemetery, Oahu Direct Deposit account to re- and Memorial to catalog • Slope stabilization behind status and repair needs. ceive the VA grant ($743,000). the existing columbarium and • Construction will start in • Public Hearings for construction of 2036 new co- changes to Hawaii Admin- October 2007. Construction lumbarium niches. permits have been acquired istrative Rules will occur 1. FY2008 – $200K, and in conjunction with visits. from the Kona permitting office. FY2009 - $1M for additional • A decision was made to columbarium niches. Our OVS Director leaving no foot- completely abandon develop- 2. FY2008 – $300K for mis- VI. Veterans Needs Sur- prints during the final inspection ment of the Phase IIC work on cellaneous renovations and vey of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans the south side of the cemetery, improvements. • Per legislative request Home. based on the adamant position the OVS will be conducting Photo by Keith Ribbentrop 2 Hawaii Veteran Vol. 11, No. 3 December 2007 Veterans Home Grand Opening

The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home had its grand opening in Hilo on Nov. 12. Guests were treated to tour of the facility. The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home is the first and only veterans home in Hawaii. The home has been accepting applications from veterans across the state. The following cri- teria for admission to the veterans’ home are: Applicant must be a veteran in good standing and meet general eligibility for VA benefits. Applicant should be either a resident of the State of Hawaii prior to his/her induction into the military, and/or a resident of the State of Ha- waii for more than one year prior to consider- ation of his/her application. Interested veteran applicants should contact the home’s administrator, Neil Oyama at (808) Photo by Jayme Sato 927-0950. New Amputee rehabilitation center opens at Walter Reed Army Medical Center By Steve Vogel Training Center, also represents an at- were authorized in 2004 after wounded Washington Post, Sept. 13, 2007 tempt to rehabilitate Walter Reed’s image, troops started returning from Iraq, but which was battered after disclosures of the project was nearly canceled the next WASHINGTON - With the fanfare of mili- poor long-term care for injured veterans. year after the decision to close Walter tary music and a jump by paratroop- Reed. ers from the 101st Airborne Division The base will not close “This building, quite frankly, was al- scheduled to mark the event, the Army The decision to build the amputee cen- most not built,” said Elihu Hirsch, proj- will open a new amputee center today ter predates the controversy that erupted ect manager for the U.S. Army Corps of at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in in February as well as the determination Engineers. But after much debate, the an attempt to better in 2005 by the Base Army concluded that it could not wait rehabilitate the troops “Screw the expenses, do Realignment and Clo- four years for medical facilities to open in returning from Iraq and what you have to do to help sure Commission to Bethesda and at Fort Belvoir. Afghanistan who have Padilla, 32, was serving with the 173rd soldiers recover better and close Walter Reed and lost arms and legs. consolidate it with the Airborne Brigade in Afghanistan in July The $10 million to have a healthy life.” National Naval Medi- when he was wounded by a rocket-pro- state-of-the-art center --Staff Sgt. Ramon Padilla cal Center in Bethes- pelled grenade that severed his left arm at Walter Reed, whose da, Md. and cracked his skull, leaving him with a campus is set to close in The project won a traumatic brain injury. His left arm has 2011, features virtual reality rehabilita- hearty endorsement from Staff Sgt. Ra- been fitted with a prosthesis. tion equipment, a gait laboratory to help mon Padilla, an injured Army soldier “People can’t wait to use the facility,” veterans with prosthetics walk and run touring the facility Wednesday. “Screw he said. and a two-story rock-climbing wall - all the expenses,” he said. “Do what you Padilla, who said he hopes to return to tailored to get troops back on active duty have to do to help soldiers recover better active duty and would need to requalify or on with their lives as civilians. and to have a healthy life.” with his weapon, was eager to try the The facility, the Military Advanced Plans for the 31,000-square-foot center weapons simulator. Veterans Affairs News Updates Hawaii Veteran State of Hawaii Department of Defense might have bled to death. Steve wanted to The Hawaii Veterans is funded and pub- Veteran saves a life remind all veterans that, “Everyone needs lished quarterly by the State of Hawaii, On June 26, 2007, Roy Wiginton a dis- to know first aide.” And hopefully you re- Office of Veteran Services. It is an off- abled Vietnam Veteran and his wife Janet member your first aide training. set publication. Views and opinions ex- were unpacking boxes in their new home. pressed herein do not necessarily repre- Steve Adams was volunteering his time sent those of the Department of Veterans to help haul the furniture to their new Korean War Veterans, would Affairs. All photos are State DoD photos home. Steve was the last volunteer to unless otherwise credited. leave the Wiginton home. As Steve went you like to visit Korea? If you are a Korean War veteran who Gov. Linda Lingle to say goodbye, he noticed that Roy was served in Korea between June 25, 1950 Commander in Chief bleeding from below his amputated knee. and Oct. 15, 1954, you may be eligible to Steve had Roy grab his neck and pulled Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee participate in the ROK government-spon- him out of the electric wheelchair. Steve The Adjutant General sored 2008 Korea Revisit Program. For lay Roy on the floor and applied a pres- information, call or write to: Harrison Lee Maj. (Ret) Mark S. Moses sure dressing on Roy’s knee to stop the 45-1114 Maka St., Kaneohe, HI 96744, OVS Director bleeding. Phone: 235-5713, Fax: 247-2101, or Without Steve’s pressure dressing, Roy email: [email protected]. Jayme E. Sato Editor/Layout www.dod.state.hi.us/ovs If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the Hawaii Veteran email: [email protected] newsletter please mail your address to OVS at 459 Patterson Rd., 459 Patterson Rd., E-Wing, Rm. 1-A103 E-Wing, Rm. 1-A103, Honolulu, HI 96819-1522. For any change of Honolulu, HI 96819-1522 address please include both old address and new address. 433-0420 (OVS), 433-0385 (OVS fax) 733-4258 (DOD), 733-4236 (DOD fax) Hawaii Veteran Vol. 11, No. 3 December 2007 3 Kauai Museum heard and stated by a lady watching the The council has appointed ceremony was the statement “it made me News from Kaua’i Larry Schlang to head a revi- cry”. This is the second of a series of articles in talization effort of the Veterans The closing words of Elliot reached out to the Hawaii Veteran to keep you abreast of Museum. Larry needs a museum committee those in attendance. events, activities or other news of interests to establish goals and objectives and again “In closing, we offer each of you a simple on the Garden Island. Veterans are encour- get the museum doors open to the public. way to thank a Veteran. It doesn’t involve a aged to join one of the 14 veteran organi- Tour guides, curators, committee members narrator or special program, a parade or a zations on the island. The organizations and an administrative staff are needed. grand event such as today. Simply offer them are the Club 100, 442nd Infantry, Ameri- The museum contains important military your hand and thank them for their service. can Legions Posts 2, 51 and 54, Disabled history information with exhibits that focus It is the best way for you to let them know, American Veterans, Marine Corps League, on the contributions of the military veter- that you recognize their patriotism and that Kauai Merchant Marines, Kauai Veterans ans on the island. These include exhibits their sacrifices have not been forgotten. Club, Kauai Vietnam Era Veterans, Korean and contributions of the 100th Battalion, Today, we thank all generations of veter- War Veterans, Military Intelligence Service, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Korean ans - veterans who have fought to keep free- Military Order of the Purple Heart and the War, Vietnam War and other veteran or- dom safe in America, - and veterans who Veterans of Foreign Wars. If you are in- ganizations. If you are willing to volunteer, have fought to extend that freedom around terested, call Johnny at 245-1625 and he call Larry at 826-4417 or email him at: the world. will arrange for the organization to contact [email protected]. We thank those who are serving now and you. Update on Columbarium we look forward to their safe return. We also The County and DAGS have thank the families of veterans - you are not executed a letter of agreement recognized nearly enough for the hardships that allowed DAGS to design you endure. You too are making sacrifices in and manage the project. The the name of freedom and we want to thank design has been completed and you for your courage. was advertised for bids in July. As long as our country stands, we know The opening is in August and that our young men and women will be called DAGS anticipates awarding a to take up arms to protect us. As long as construction project by Aug. 24 there are men and women who are willing with a completion date of Octo- to stand up and serve, - we must always be ber 31. willing to stand up and honor their service.” Operation Military Apprecia- tion Public Hearings for OVS The first military apprecia- tion family festival was held in Puhi on July 1 and was spon- Public Notice GAVEL HAND OFF - Former Vice Commander Edward The State of Hawaii, Office of Veterans sored by the Sons of Kauai Mo- Kawamura (left) shaking hands with Commander Ed- Services (OVS) is planning a public hear- torcycle Club and coordinated ward Keoho Sr. (right). ing at with Tony Elliot from the Office KAUAI of Veterans Affairs. New council officers Kauai Veterans Center, 3215 Kapule The festivities started at 10 am when over The Kauai Veterans Council elected new Highway, Lihue, on Mon., Jan 7, 2008 200 cyclists had a motorcycle rally that officers who started their reign on July 1. from 9am to 12 pm. started from Puhi Park to the Western part The officers are Commander Edward Keoho HILO of the island and returned for the formal Sr., Vice Commander Richard Kashiwaba- Benjamin Franklin Building Council ceremony at noon. The family festival had ra, Secretary Wayne Soma and Treasurer County Room, 333 Kilauea Ave., Hilo, on potluck and activities following the ceremo- Bill Honjiyo. The council consists of rep- Thur., Jan. 10, 2008 from 9am to 12pm. ny. resentatives from the 14 veteran organiza- MAUI During the ceremony, Elliot recognized tions on the island. Maui Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St., five Kauai soldiers who were Missing in Ac- Wailuku on Mon., Jan. 14, 2008 from tion (MIA) during the Ko- 9am to 12pm. rean conflict. With the LANAI exception of Pfc. Takeshi Hale Kupuna Social Hall, 1144 Ilima Ave., Sasaki, Elliot was unable Lanai City, on Tues., Jan. 22, 2008 from to locate family members 9am to 12pm. of Sgt. Jose Balalong, Cpl. MOLOKAI Sidney Kaui, Cpl. Mitsuy- Molokai Veterans Center, 145 Ala Mala- oshi Ishida and Cpl. Mu- ma Ave., Kaunakakai, on Thur., Jan. 24, nea Yaka.. 2008 from 9am to 12pm. Mrs. Akiyo Matsuyama, KONA sister of Pfc. Sasaki and on West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kona, behalf of her family that 72-3245 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy., on included a brother and Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 from 9am to 12pm. three sisters present, ac- OAHU cepted the United States Oahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila St., Flag and the Purple Heart Small Conference Room on Mon., Jan. Medal from Captain Aar- 28, 2008 from 9am to 12pm. on L. Cudnohufsky, the Commander of the Pacific The purpose of this hearing is to conduct OPERATION MILITARY APPRECIATION FAMILY DAY Missile Range Facilities. public meetings concerning rulemaking Tony Elliot, OVS (left), Kelly Joyce, Miss Kauai Veteran Special guests at the affecting local veterans including: 2006-2007 and Capt. Aaron L. Cudnohufsky, the com- ceremonies were Dan mander of the Pacific Missile Range Facilities. Haggerty of TV show Griz- - Rules & Regulations concerning buri- zly Adams and al in Hawaii State Veterans cemetery in B r a n s c o m b e Kaneohe; Richmond, host - Use of Burial Vaults at all Hawaii veter- of Good Morn- ans cemeteries; ing Hawaii. - WWII Fil-Am Veterans Burial Benefits During the (Act 100) solemn cer- If you are not able to testify in person, you emonies, the may submit your testimony by fax at (808) crown remained 433-0385 or email [email protected] no hushed and it later than 24 hours in advance. Testimo- was obvious nies should have your name, address and Retired Lt. Col Bill Honjiyo visits with returning Iraq veterans. that the hearts telephone number. For additional infor- (left to right) Spc. Jose Manzano Sr., Sgt. Rey Carnate, Ltc (Ret.) of many in at- mation you may contact the OVS office at Bill Honjiyo and Sgt. 1st Class Chris Callo. tendance were (808) 433-0423. Photos by Johnny Rabasa touched. Over- 4 Hawaii Veteran Vol. 11, No. 3 December 2007