By Cyanne Ito
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In order to give back to the community and support veterans everywhere, MHS’ Leo and Interact clubs marched in this year’s annual Veterans Day Parade, held on Nov. 12, following the theme “Mahalo Veterans.”
“It’s good to give back to the community, because veterans are veterans. They need all the support we can provide,” said Interact Club President, Senior Tyler Atiburcio.
The Wahiawa Lions Club has been organizing the parade since 1946, which starts at Kaala Elementary School and ends at Fredrite Park. Also marching in the parade were JROTC and NJROTC cadets from schools such as Campbell and Leilehua High Schools and many Boy Scout troops. When the parade was over, speeches were given at Wahiawa District Park by veterans themselves and other dignitaries.
Members from both clubs marched in the parade, hoping to raise the spirits of the crowd as well as to thank veterans. “Sometimes (veterans) get missed, they get overlooked, so we have to get them recognized,” said Atiburcio.
For some, the meaning of Veterans Day is much more personal than just a day off. “I’m learning about different stories about how my friends (in the military) encountered car bombs and explosions and stuff like that and were in the heat of war, and for me to sit comfortably here in a classroom, it actually means so much more now that we honor veterans,” said Leo Club adviser Marc Tolentino.
Though they could have been doing other things on their day off, volunteers felt that they were doing the right thing. “I’d probably just be sleeping, honestly. But I’d rather come out here and show veterans some respect,” said Leo Club Secretary, Junior Chasidee Dela Cuesta-Batara.
With this year’s parade over, both members from both clubs look forward to a successful parade next year as well as increased appreciation for veterans.
