Soldiers' families treated to big picnic

By Will Hoover
Advertiser North Shore Writer

It was a Memorial Weekend event worth remembering — a large picnic and family festival with an even larger purpose.

State worker Carleton Taketa, left, and Lailanie Delmundo of Phi Theta Kappa at Leeward Community College were among the volunteers who helped run a Memorial Day picnic for Army dependents at Schofield Barracks. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The main reason for Operation 'Ohana was a rousing and unabashed outpouring of support for Hawai'i's soldiers deployed in the Middle East, from a crowd estimated at more than 6,000 people.

"We've got National Guard families, we've got Reserve families and we've got active-duty families," said Vicki Olson, wife of Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and commander of the combined joint task force in Afghanistan.

"And they're all here in one big family, and I think it's really neat. Look at this turnout. We expected a large turnout of 5,000 — but this has exceeded that."

Operation 'Ohana took place inside and outside Schofield Barracks' Nehelani Banquet and Conference Center.

According to Capt. Kathy Turner, the 25th Infantry's public affairs officer, yesterday's extravaganza kicked off Operation 'Ohana events to take place throughout the year.

"This is the first — a picnic for the families of soldiers currently deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan," said Turner, whose husband, Capt. Frank Turner, is in Iraq.

Army Reserve Capt. Patricia Peterson, whose close friend, Army Capt. Joseph Kobes, is in Iraq, said the picnic sent an important message.

"This kind of thing is so important to the families," said Peterson, who also could be deployed to the Middle East. "If the support is not there, the soldiers can't concentrate on doing their job."

The picnic was an effort between the military and the state.

"I had been wanting to find a way for the state to show its support for our troops," said Gov. Linda Lingle, who arrived with her own army of Cabinet members who flipped burgers, hauled rubbish and did other volunteer tasks at the picnic, which ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lingle praised Olson for her efforts in keeping so many military families in Hawai'i during the deployment. She also expressed her gratitude to an estimated 300 volunteers who donated their time to setting up and operating the picnic.

Mostly, though, the governor seemed to be captivated by so many kids having so much fun.

Among the activities that enticed long lines of youngsters were rope bridges, a rock climbing wall and a Laser Marksmanship Training System normally used by soldiers.

Military marksmen were on hand to explain the LMTS and show kids how to take aim with an actual M-4 rifle loaded with laser beams instead of bullets.

"You need to tuck the stock into your shoulder and support yourself up on your elbows," Spc. Mark Reed told Phillip Sniffen, 10, whose dad, Sgt. 1st Class Alvin Sniffen, with the Hawai'i Army National Guard, is serving in Afghanistan.

"Put your cheek on the stock and close your left eye. Then point the red dot on the target there, and squeeze the trigger when you're ready."

A second later, Sniffen scored a bull's-eye.

"Very good," Reed said.

"That was fun," Phillip said with a smile.

His mom, Kathy, said she had told her husband Friday evening that the family would be attending Operation 'Ohana. She said he was pleased to know that folks back home were thinking of them.

"This is wonderful," she said. "This gives the families encouragement."

Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.