"It's painful to see what's happening to the guys in this war," said Phillips, who was captured during the battle for the Chosin Reservoir on Dec. 10, 1950, and sent to a prisoner of war camp for 5 1/2 months. "I wish I could be over there (in Fallujah) with them. I was 1st Marine Division before, and I sure would like to be now."

Across the Island, this year's Veterans Day commemorations were colored by this generation's war. From Wahiawa to Punchbowl, talk of the fighting, and the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, dominated the day.

There was a little more patriotism on display, and more recognition of service to country in two wars overseas.

In Wahiawa, a 59-year tradition continued with the Lions Club Veterans Day Parade, which featured more than 55 units, including some from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Parade veterans said 25 percent to 30 percent more people came out this year.

For the first time in years, the Marines sent troops to march from Ka'ala School up California Avenue to Fred Wright Park.

"I think you take it for granted they (the service members) will be here every year," said Shuji Komagata, 30, who lives in Wahiawa. "But they are not playing games. They're going off to war. You look at it differently."

Schofield Barracks has practically been emptied by two wars. More than 5,200 Hawai'i soldiers are in Iraq; more than 5,800 are in Afghanistan.

Almost 1,000 Kane'ohe Bay Marines have deployed to Iraq, and the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment is fighting its way through rebel-held Fallujah. Another approximately 1,000 Hawai'i Marines are headed to Afghanistan.

Sixty soldiers with B Company, 193rd Aviation, of the Hawai'i Army National Guard have been in Kandahar since May performing helicopter maintenance for the 25th Infantry Division (Light).

About 200 other National Guard soldiers from C Company, 193rd Aviation, deployed to Iraq early this year with 14 Chinook helicopters.

Another 400 reservists with the 411th Engineer Battalion are in Iraq.

An additional 2,000 citizen soldiers from the state's 29th Separate Infantry Brigade are headed to Iraq in February and March, along with about 700 reservists from the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry in Hawai'i, Guam, American Samoa and Saipan.

Clear skies, light breezes and a blazing sun greeted almost 500 veterans and family members who gathered at the base of Punchbowl's main memorial to pay homage to veterans of wars past. Flags snapped in the wind as people crowded under what little shade they could find to listen to the service.

There are 4,500 veterans and dependents buried at the state cemetery.

The Punchbowl ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute and a flyover by the 199th Fighter Squadron from the 154th Wing at Hickam Air Force Base. Afterward, veterans gathered to trade greetings and pose for pictures with friends they hadn't seen in a long time.

Among them was Vince Souki, a 74-year-old Korean and Vietnam War veteran, who said he enjoys coming out and paying tribute to fellow veterans. Souki considers it an honor that the unit he served with continues to fight today in Afghanistan.

Veterans Day is "an honor we all look forward to, a chance to honor our fallen comrades," said Souki. "I guess they're still falling. Let's hope they get this (war in Iraq and Afghanistan) over with soon."

The theme of the Wahiawa Veterans Day parade was "Supporting our Troops." Families camped out in bunches, in folding chairs and beneath umbrellas to keep out of the sun along the parade route.

"I think when you watch this and see all the people coming out to support the cause, it's good to see," said Komagata, who was with his wife, Jaymie, their 2›-year-old daughter and his wife's parents.

The parade featured armed forces and Junior ROTC marching units, school entries, the

Honolulu fire and police departments, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, a contingent of Corvettes, and more than a dozen vintage military vehicles. Tropical green, yellow and purple was juxtaposed with desert and woodland green camouflage.

The 71st Chemical Company out of Schofield was in full battle gear, with bayonettes fixed.

"We're just ready. Always ready," said Sgt. 1st Class Denise Jackson.

Michelle Frare came out with her daughter, Tyler Rae, 10, who attends Solomon Elementary and helped raise the flag at Fred Wright Park, where the parade concluded.

Her husband, Staff Sgt. Tyronne Frare, is home for the first Veterans Day in three years. He was in Afghanistan for the previous two holidays. The helicopter crew chief was in the country on his third deployment with B Company, 214th Aviation Regiment, out of Wheeler Army Airfield.

He was over there for five to six months, but because it was his third trip, "they let him come home early," Michelle Frare said.

Brig. Gen. Vern T. Miyagi, commander of the Hawai'i Army National Guard, the keynote speaker, told the crowd, "Today, America is at war. Our forces are engaged in combat. Sacrifices are being made every day by our young men and women."

Many of the soldiers and their families from the Guard's 193rd Aviation, who are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, live in Wahiawa.

"Both the units are doing great. You'd be proud of them," Miyagi said.