The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

Hawaii’s Korean War Veterans on the Go
The year 2000 was filled with many
Korean War related events which
kept Hawaii’s Korean War veterans
very busy. The month of April and July
saw the Chapter’s members cleaning and
maintaining the Korean and Vietnam War
Memorials. Every Thursday more than 25
members armed with hoses, weeders,
rags, detergent, rubbish bags weeded the
flower beds, raked leaves, watered plants
and polished the serpentine, pedestaled,
black, granite wall that bears the name of
456 names of Hawaii’s men who died in
the Korean War. A total of 400 volunteer
man hours was logged by the chapter.
Nick Nishimoto and Hawaii’s Ex-
Prisoners of War hosted a banquet on
Friday, April 7 at the Hale Koa Hotel in
commemoration of Ex-Prisoners of War
and those Missing In Action in the Korea
War. A vacant table for four with candles
was placed near the stage, signifying
those Missing In Action. Entertainment
was provided by the Korean community.
The commemoration continued on
Sunday, April 9 at the National Memorial
Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) with
a ceremony honoring the Ex-POWs and
the Missing In Action. The highlight of
the program was the Flyover Missing Man
Formation by the Hawaii’s Air National
Guard, 199th Fighter Squadron.
On Thursday, April 27 the University
of Hawaii Air Force ROTC honored
Korean War veterans by marching in
review for the veterans at Cooke Field,
University of Hawaii. Each veteran was
recognized with their names read over the
public address system. Hawaii’s Governor
Benjamin J. Cayetano gave an inspiring
speech thanking the veterans.
Refreshments were served after the ceremony
and ROTC cadets had the opportunity
to meet with Veterans.
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
and AT&T paid tribute to Hawaii’s
Korean War veterans on the evening of
May 14 by inviting them to a Combined
Military Band Concert at the Hawaii
Theater. The concert featured the bands
from the following services: 25th Infantry
Division (Light) Band, Marine Forces
Pacific Band, Pacific Fleet Band, Air
Force Band of the Pacific, United States
Coast Guard Band and the 111th Army
Veterans Clay Murakami, Robert Hamakwa, Chairman of Hawaii’s Comemoration Commission BG
Irwin Cocket, Ret. and Louis Baldovi on board the Korean Navy ship ROKS Ulchimmondunk.
Band, Hawaii Army
National Guard. More
than 400 veterans and
their guests attended
the concert. A reception
was held before
the concert.
At the Annual
Military Appreciation
Week Luncheon held
on May 17 at the
Waikiki Sheraton
Hotel, Korean War
Veterans Association,
Hawaii Chapter #1,
got a pleasant surprise
when it was recognized by the Chamber
of Commerce of Hawaii and Alexander &
Baldwin Foundation as the outstanding
veteran organization of 1999 for its services
to the community. Accepting “The
Aloha Spirit Award,” for the Chapter was
Louis Baldovi. Louis Baldovi was
stunned when he was also presented with
an individual “Aloha Spirit Award” for his
volunteer efforts in the veteran’s community.
Nearly 1,000 military and civilian
guests attended the luncheon.
On May 21 the Pacific Basin
Economic Council honored Korean War
veterans for their services by inviting
them to a banquet held at the Hilton
Hawaiian Village Hotel where they feasted
on a fabulous Korean Dinner. More
than 500 guests enjoyed the precision fan
and drum dance performed by Korean
President Robert Hamakawa and Louis Baldovi present Lt. Col Lee Dongkoo
with the Honorary Membership certificate at a dinner on June 29.
artists. One of the highlights was a video
address by Kim Jae Dung, President of the
Republic of Korea.
The 5th Regimental Combat Team,
Hawaii, held a memorial dedication on
Saturday, June 17 at the Memorial Walk,
National Memorial Cemetery of the
Pacific. MG James A. Johnson (Ret) and
Mrs. Caroline Los Banos unveiled the
memorial plaque which was dedicated to
the memory of the men of the 5th RCT
who paid the supreme sacrifice. The following
day members of the 5th RCT and
other veterans left for Korea to recount
their combat experiences. The tour took
them to Pusan, Masan, Kyungu,
Waegwan, Seoul and other battle sites that
the 5th RCT were engaged in.
Culminating the day’s event on Sunday
June 25th was a banquet at the Hilton
Hawaiian Village Hotel sponsored by the
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The Graybeards