Kapolei High JROTC honors veterans at senior community

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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Students from Kapolei High School’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) honored kupuna veterans at the Ilima at Leihano senior living community on Veterans Day.

Wednesday’s event recognized 25 kupuna veterans representing the Air Force, Army, Navy and National Guard.

Senior resident musicians played the national anthem and Hawaii Ponoi while cadets presented the flags.

Cadet Capt. Christian Gisele’s father recently retired from the military. For him, the event was about giving back.

“(Letting) these veterans here know that they’re appreciated, which I feel like is an indirect way of me also thanking my parents and their family and my uncles as well for thanking them for their service,” he said, “thanking the veterans here, and giving back to the community, making sure that they know that they are important.”

Cadet Maj. Gia Brady said that, as part of the younger generation, she believes it’s important to recognize veterans.

“Around the island there’s a bunch of events to celebrate them for everything they gave their sacrifices, but not all our elder veterans can go to those so coming here to them is really great letting them know we see them and they’re always going to be important to us,” Brady said. “You’re nothing without your past.”

The event included the distribution of appreciation gifts and a pinning ceremony for the veterans. More than 30 spouses of veterans who have passed away were also given gifts of gratitude.

After the formal ceremony, JROTC cadets spent time with the kupuna, reflecting the close relationship between the senior community and Kapolei’s Marine Corps JROTC program.

“It’s so close to heart, you know, definitely, and that we’re able to come here and just to speak and talk to them and thank them for their service that they paved the way for, for us, the instructors, and for the future for our cadets if they seek that career,” said Senior Marine Instructor, retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Damian Moreno.