Parade Map Page A-2 SALUTE: Trauma Center Readied for Worst Scenario After the Storm ) Page A-4 Page H I Commandant Praises Military Spouses Page A-5
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Armed Forces Week schedule, parade map Page A-2 SALUTE: Trauma center readied for worst scenario After the Storm ) Page A-4 Page H I Commandant praises military spouses Page A-5 Vol. 20, No. 18 Published at MCAS Kaneohe Bay. Also serving 1st MEB, Camp 11.M. Smith and Marine Barracks, Hawaii. May 9, 1991 Parade Marines march in massive kick-off for Military Week By Cpl. Jason Erickson With national patriotism and Mirwall M.M. 111.11 Wriler military appreciation at levels not seen since World War II, Sixteen hundred Kaneohe this year's celebration is ex- based Marines and sailors will pected to shine above all others. march in a massive parade Adm. Charles Larson, Com- through Honolulu Saturday mander in Chief, U.S. Pacific morning. The parade, titled Command, said he "speaks for "Ho'ohanohano Na Koa," all of our service members, honors past and present warri- civilian employees and their ors and will kick off the 1991 families, when (he says) that we Hawaii Military Week. are very touched by your efforts According to Nelson Fujio, the to enhance our close relation. "Parade Man," approximately a tihips." quarter million spectators are The parade was created in the expected to turn out to cheer on wake of the Persian Gulf War their homecoming heroes as the victory, as a way to welcome procession snakes its way from home the troops and honor the Aala Park to Ala Moans Park. veterans of previous wars. More than 25,000 people will While July 4 had been dis- participate in the parade. cussed as a possible date for the LtGen. Walter Boomer, com- parade, according to Military mander of all land-based Marine Affairs Councilman Hector Froces in Southwest Asia during Venegus, it was combined with Operations Desert. Shield nod Hawaii Military Week to spice Storm, will come from hie home up the annual celebration, and base at Camp Pendleton, Calif., to allow the people of Hawaii hp participate. an earlier opportunity to wel- It begins at 9:30 a.m., and come home their Persian Gulf trill be followed by a free concert War veterans. The decision was in Ala Monne Park from noon made during a preliminary to 4:30 p.m. These two events meeting for the parade in March. are only the Opening Ceremo- Kaneohe-based troops in four nies. The rest of the week is 1-','A-I8 Hornet jetfighters will filled with events around Oahu lend off the parade with a flyby, as part of Military Week. while those on the ground will This year's theme, "We Are bring up the rear of the march- Family...Reunited," reflects the ing column as the grand finale. relationship between service Mayor Frank Fasi and members and the people of Gov. John Waihee will watch Hawaii. According to Military the first 90 minutes of the parade Week Chairman Kenneth F. from a reviewing stand, but will Froelich, the people of Hawaii join Col. John Admire to march have held the annual celebra- the rest of the parade with the, Special tribute tion for the past six years, as Marines. a way to express their gratitude The 1,600 Marines and sailors for the military's past and represent all Kaneohe-based and to units who deployed to the a employee with the I= acimies Department wooden yellow ribbon erected at the Main present contributions, Jasper Wells, civilian here, touches-up the 20-toot the Gate in March. Throughout Operations Desert Shield/Storm, yellow ribbons symbolized support for the deployed troops and their families, promote an awareness within Persian Gulf during war and will be broken down into and a swelling of American patriotism. Those historic, unforgettable months are commemorated in a special salute this week. See Section the community of the military's 24 marching elements, accord- B. economic and social contribu- tions. See PARADE/A-3 By tCpl. G. Poles, Smith reality. Marines and sailors left and Recreation provides many might spell inconvenience to some still coated with desert Min.! Mom. 111. WON, behind felt much the same way, of these services, and, out of many. But to MWR, which camouflage paint, can be seen watching friends and co-work- necessity had to reduce a portion runs Hale Ohana among other cries -crossing the Mokapu Pen- The emptiness and fear is gone ers leave, not knowing when or of its work force and limit some activities, it means back to busi- insula sky. The "grunts" and from the Air Station. The if their turn would come. of its hours of operation. ness as usual. Brigade service support Marines homecomings of Kaneohe Bay's Local businesses, especially According to Sharon Delay, "MWR lost profit during the and sailors are everywhere. Desert Storm troops have cleared Windward establishments, felt employee development special- deployment," said Walt Ski- They can be seen and heard the road back to routine busi- the shock where it counts in ist at MWR, the massive erkowski, director of MWR. "But running or marching in long, ness. their purse strings and profit homecoming has meant MWR we continued to keep the activi- motivated formations in the But, great challenges still face charts. The owner of a barber is gearing-up to handle their ties running during their ab- mornings, or massed at armor- the Station community --like how shop, located outside the Air return. "We're trying to get the sence. Now, we're back to the ies, cleaning months of sand to deal with the immense and Station, fought off bankruptcy services back up to speed," Delay same hours of operation, and and grime from their weapons. rapid return of war veterans for seven months. It was a said. "But we're having prob- we're looking at increasing hours According to the Brigade's from the Persian Gulf. 'close shave, but the homecom- lems getting qualified person- and possibly extending some of new commanding general, BGen. It can beet be described as ings came in the nick of time. nel." the services." James E. Livingston, his troops K-Bay growing pains -- a growth that America danced and cheered Delay said MWR currently Skierkowski added that while won't have much time to rest started nine months ago when in the streets and glowed in the employs about 850 workers; there isn't much MWR can do on their laurels. Intense unit the troops deployed. limelight of victory and patri- down from the normal 900. That to make-up the financial loss training will resume, which is For all America, the relatively otism, There was little time to number went down to around due to the deployment, he another sign that the Air Station peaceful years since Vietnam think of anything else. How- 700 during the height of the doesn't foresee any service or is almost fully back to routine. comes had been like a quiet drive ever, even as the nationwide deployment. activity cutbacks. Complete families are together in the country. The impact party continues, the challenge "MWR's mission is to serve Non-MWR activities, such as again -- shopping, walking, of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait to regroup and move on con- the Air Station community," the Exchange Post Office, the playing or puttering around at last August was like a 50-car fronts the community. said Delay. "If we don't do our Mokapu (Back) Gate and the their homes. pileup on a rush-hour freeway. The difficulties accompanying job, it has a long-range effect. Anderson Hall Dining Facility For all affected, the war was back Soon after, 1st Marine Expe- the troops' return are back too, Some of the services may suffer." are also back on line. Increased a tough haul. And nobody said ditionary Brigade troops began such as parking, traffic conges- Just go into the Hale Ohana service activities aren't the only the return to "business as usual" leaving for Southwest Asia. By tion and long lines at business restaurant here at lunch, and obvious changes, would be easy. Precisely as the the New Year, little of the establishments. it's quite apparent that the For the first time in months, Air Station adapted to the Brigade remained behind. During the desert deployment, Desert Storm troops have the familiar roar of F/A-18 jets massive deployments, it contin- to Families watched, torn with many services on the Air Station landed. Long lines, crowded and rotors of CH-53D helicop- ues to readjust as the troops life come uncertainty and hollowed by the were cut back. Morale, Welfare' tables and a packed arcade room ters can be heard. Helicopters, home. is based on income level for family size. For more information for deceased baby's Free long distance calls and income criteria, contact the Family Service Center at 257- Donations MCI will have a tent sent up across from the Main Exchange 3655. family Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free phone calls to the mainland United States an a welcome home gesture. Military Spouses Day Donations are being accepted for memorial services for Michael Hedd Jr., the son of HMM-262 Sgt. Michael Hedd Sr. and wife The Family Service Center will have an open house today Darleen. The 3-year-old died April 27 at Tripler Army Medical Utility bill assistance from 10 a.m, to noon in celebration of Military Spouses Day. Center after falling three stories from a Pearl City apartment The Honolulu Community Action Program is currently spon- The event will feature refreshments, balloons for kids and the complex.