Discounts, events help support troops
Advertiser Staff
A free concert and merchant discounts are among programs being organized to support the 8,300 Schofield Barracks soldiers deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan this year and their families.
A Military Ohana Day festival will be held at Kapi'olani Park Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free food and drink coupons will be provided to people with military ID. The All New Shanghai Circus, Jim Nabors, magician Greg Wilson and Imua will be among the performers.
Other activities include inflatable jumpers, a rock-climbing wall and discounted admission to the Honolulu Zoo. The event is sponsored by the city, Association of the United States Army, Chamber of Commerce and other groups.
About 4,800 Schofield troops will deploy beginning this month to an area around the northern Iraq city of Kirkuk. Another 3,500 troops will be sent to Afghanistan in March.
In another program, about 200 merchants from Wahiawa, Mililani and the North Shore will show their support for the soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division (Light) with discounts on products and services and free merchandise during 2004.
The program, initiated by the Wahiawa Community & Business Association, the Rotary Club of Wahiawa-Waialua and the Rotary Club of Mililani Sunrise, will benefit soldiers from the 25th Infantry and their families, said Jack Smith, president of the Wahiawa Community & Business Association.
"These young men and women are part of our community," he said. "They visit our restaurants, buy merchandise at our stores, use our services. They are our neighbors, our customers and our friends. We've developed this program to show them this community cares about them and their families."
Participating merchants will display a bright yellow "We Support the 25th Infantry Division (Light)" sticker in their shops.
Longs Drugs, Dole Plantation, Bank of Hawaii and Baskin-Robbins Wahiawa are among the stores that are participating.
Merchants who wish to participate in the discount program should contact Dan Nakasone of the Wahiawa Community & Business Association at 622-4032 or adventure@hawaii.rr.com.
