Posted on: Sunday, May 22, 2005
Vietnam vets see justice in celebration
By Will Hoover
Advertiser North Shore Writer
Thousands turned out for the opening of the two-day "Homecoming for Heroes — Schofield Sunset in the Park" festival at Wheeler Army Airfield yesterday.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser It was the first joint military and civilian event honoring returning Hawai'i troops. And virtually everyone involved said Doug Wheeler, president of the Wahiawa Lion's Club, had been the driving force behind the family fun fest, with its food booths, rides, games, entertainment and evening films.
"Doug took the lead on this," said state Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), who was among the dozens of Wahiawa Lion's Club volunteers working at the free event.
For Wheeler and others, the raucous celebration took on a special, personal meaning.
"I'm doing this for the soldiers," said Wheeler. "I'm a Vietnam vet. We didn't come back to marching bands. We came back to you know what — people cussing at you.
"I went through that right here in Hawai'i. I couldn't believe it. So this event is what we didn't get."
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser The four shook hands, learned that they'd all been in the Army in Southeast Asia in the 1960s, and bonded instantly. "Homecoming for Heroes" they said, is the way a returning soldier ought be greeted.
"It was 25 years before we even got a parade," said Roberson. "That's too long."
Added Acohido: "We're grateful that Americans are supporting the troops. We may not all agree with the politics."
The others nodded.
Not far away, returning Army Spc. Josh Strickland was busy twirling around the Twister ride with his daughter, Shelby, 22 months, while his wife, Dorothy, tried to capture the two on film.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser "This time I made sure I had batteries in the camera," she said with a laugh. "She just loves this ride."
"This is all about thanking the returning heroes and their families," said Patty Teruya, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's special events coordinator. "This is good that the community and the military are connecting."
Army Capt. Kevin Marks, who was enjoying the festivities with his wife, Lashon, and daughters Aubree, 10, and Rebekah, 8, concurred.
"This is great," said Marks as he watched his daughters slide down the inflatable Tsunami ride. "The division has had a long, hard year being deployed. And this is something good the soldiers can come back to and enjoy the weekend with their families."
"Homecoming for Heroes" will continue today from noon, with entertainment by Jake Shimabukuro, the movie "National Treasure," 16 food booths, plus rides and games by E.K. Fernandez and Xtreme Fun Rentals and Inflatables (free ride bracelets to military with active ID).
Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8038.
Judging by the smiles, shouts and laughter, the tribute to more than 10,000 troops who fought in the Middle East last year was welcomed and much appreciated.
Spc. Josh Strickland points out his wife, Dorothy, to their daughter, Shelby, 22 months, while riding the Twister yesterday at the Homecoming for Heroes event at Wheeler Army Air Field.
Event co-chair Ben Acohido is also a Vietnam veteran. As Acohido and Wheeler were walking across the midway together, they happened to meet Willie Daniels and Alton Roberson Jr.
Capt. Kevin Marks and his wife, Lashon, helped their daughters, Rebekah, 8, front, and Aubree, 10, get off the Tsunami ride yesterday at the Homecoming for Heroes event. Kevin Marks said the celebration was welcome after a "long, hard year being deployed."
Dorothy Strickland, who was celebrating her 26th birthday, said she tried to take the pair's picture on the same ride at a different event last week but the camera batteries went dead.
From left, Homecoming forHeroes co-chairs Ben Acohido and Doug Wheeler met Willie Daniels and Alton Roberson Jr. yesterday and found something in common: All served in Southeast Asia in the 1960s.
