Veteran’s Day Parade to ‘Celebrate Service’

“Celebrate Service” is the theme of the 2015 Hawai’i Island Veterans Day Parade, slated for Nov. 7 at 10 a.m.

The 2015 Hawai’i Island Veterans Day Parade will travel through the streets of Downtown Hilo this weekend.

Following the “Celebrate Service” theme, the event, now in its eighth year, will feature not only military veterans, but also various community groups who will support the theme intended to honor veterans, celebrate community service, and inspire the community with ways to serve.

Leading the parade as the military grand marshal is Major General Arthur “Joe” Logan, the Adjutant General for the State of Hawai’i, who was appointed to the position in January.

Logan is a combat veteran with over 36 years of military service and oversees the training and readiness of 5,500 soldiers and airmen of the Hawai’i National Guard. In addition, Logan is also the director of the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency and is the Homeland Security Advisor to Governor David Ige.

“It’s our honor to have MG Logan as this year’s grand marshal. The National Guard, our citizen soldiers, serve our communities, state, and country in many ways,” said Deb Lewis, 2015 parade chair. “Military personnel regularly risk their lives to keep us safe from all types of manmade and natural threats, both foreign and domestic. The Guard has proudly held that tradition for nearly 400 years.”

Lewis is a combat veteran with nearly 34 years of service. Serving in the military, Lewis worked side-by-side with the National Guard in Iraq and in her last assignment in Washington State.

Honored as community parade marshal will be the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary to Post 3830 of Pahoa. The Auxiliary works closely with groups to assist those in need of support locally, especially veterans.

“We are calling for all veterans to join the parade on Nov. 7 and inviting our island –  community businesses, service groups, and their families – to participate and be inspired in some way to celebrate service,” Lewis said.

The parade will begin on Pauahi Street and travel mauka to Kilauea Avenue before traveling north through downtown Hilo towards Waianuenue Avenue, making a loop on Kamehameha Avenue, and finishing along Bayfront towards its starting point.

For more information about the parade or to get involved, visit the Hawai’i Island Veteran’s Day Parade website.