HALAWA, Oahu (KHON2) — The ongoing, record-long federal government shutdown continues to have a ripple effect, including changing a classic Veterans Day celebration.
Furloughed and unpaid workers, a lack of funds and uncertainty within the federal government all played a part in a significant change to the annual Veterans Day celebration usually held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
This includes a move indoors to the Oahu Veterans Center, and no military flyover, no bands and no three volley salute.
But according to leaders at the Oahu Veterans Center, visuals and music are not what Veterans Day is really about.
“All of that is great, it’s fantastic, but really at the heart of the center of it, when you look at that space up there where you’ve got 600 people from different backgrounds, different ranks, different military branches, really coming together to acknowledge and honor those who have served,” said Hollie Thomas, Oahu Veterans Center Executive Director, and Army veteran, on what will make celebration special, despite the new venue and smaller size.
“Yes, we’re not at the Punchbowl this year, but we were able and we have the capabilities to shift and offer a first class presentation and give back to the veteran here in this community of Honolulu and surrounding neighbors,” said Michael Cade, Oahu Veterans Center Deputy Director, and a new resident to the islands who spent 30 years in service.
“We’re going to honor the veterans and their families, that’s what Veterans Day is all about,” said Oahu Veterans Center President Col. Edward Cruickshank. “We have to make sure they know that they’re not forgotten because, based on what’s happening in our country today, they’re really not being taken care of.”
Col. Cruickshank, a Purple Heart recipient, said that he’s passionate about the celebration, no matter the venue.
“I think it’s going to be beautiful, and I think more importantly, this year we’re going to be focusing a little bit more on getting people together,” said Thomas. I think that it’s going to be a lot more intimate, a lot more touching of a ceremony, rather than the somber tone at Punchbowl.”
The event begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Veterans Day. Parking will be available at the center and at Makalapa Elementary.
Oahu Veterans Center is an institution made to get veterans connected to any resources they may need, and serves as a gathering place for veterans.