29th Infantry Brigade Vietnam Memorial Day Ceremony

Photo By Spc. Paul Berzinas | Maj. Gen. Arthur J. Logan addresses guests during a Memorial Day ceremony at the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters in Kalaeloa, Hawaii on May 25, 2017. The ceremonies and events were held in order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s involvement in the Vietnam Conflict.  

KALAELOA, HI, UNITED STATES

05.25.2017

Story by Spc. Paul Berzinas 

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii)

The ceremonies, which focused on honoring Hawaii’s Vietnam-Era veterans, included remarks from speakers associated with the 29th Brigade during the Vietnam War.
The first ceremony of the day took place in front of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Readiness Center, between the Pohaku, or sacred stones, bearing the names of the members of the 29th Brigade who gave their lives in service to their country.
Retired Brig. Gen. Irwin K. Cockett, Hawaii Army National Guard commander from 1983 to 1986 and Korean/Vietnam veteran, and Mrs. Shirley Kauhaihao, widow of 1st Lt. John Kauhaihao, gave their remarks during the first ceremony.
1st Lt. John K. Kauhaihao was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for his action in battle Sept. 5, 1959, when he intentionally drew enemy fire on himself in order to save his platoon.
Many Hawaii Guard service members exhibited outstanding conduct similar to Lt. Kauhaihao, said Col. Moses Kaoiwi, Jr., commander of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “As for the members of the 29th who were deployed during the Vietnam War, their performance was outstanding, said Kaoiwi. “This is why it was particularly important to honor the Hawaii Guard’s Vietnam-Era veterans with these ceremonies. What we really wanted to do, as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Hawaii’s involvement in the Vietnam War, was to recognize the veterans that served during that time. Not a lot of people know about the 29th Brigade’s contributions to the Vietnam War.”
The 29th Brigade was called to fight in the Vietnam War on May 13, 1968, mobilizing approximately 4,000 personnel. Eleven hundred Hawaii Guard Soldiers went on to serve in Vietnam.
While most people think the National Guard didn’t serve in Vietnam, we can proudly say that the 29th Brigade did, said Kaoiwi.
A second ceremony, held inside of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Readiness Center Building 29, honored of all Hawaii National Guard Vietnam-era veterans, to include Hawaii Air National Guard.
According to retired Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a former Hawaii Adjutant General, the Hawaii Air National Guard performed exceptionally well in Vietnam. Hawaii Air Guard pilots (including then, Maj. Richardson) flew air defense missions, dubbed PALACE ALERT, over Vietnam.
“The Air National Guard’s procedures were so good and so standardized that everybody functioned very well as a unit,” said Richardson. “We integrated very well with the [active duty] Air Force because of that. The brigade did not deploy as a unit. They mobilized as a unit, but when they went to war they didn’t deploy as a unit.”
According to Richardson, connecting with veterans is so important. “It’s important to look back into history and see how things happened. We have a lot to learn from the Vietnam War. The most meaningful part of the day’s events was seeing the Vietnam-Era veterans who were proud to come out and be a part of the ceremonies.
According to Kaoiwi, the importance of holding ceremonies like these cannot be overstated. “We have to remember our history, we have to honor those who sacrificed themselves.”

• Date Taken: 05.25.2017
• Date Posted: 07.12.2017 01:57
• Story ID: 237931
• Location: KALAELOA, HI, US