For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military

By Gregg K. Kakesako

Sunday, December 2, 2001

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See also: In The Military

Health care providers
help treat VA patients

Question: The last time I visited the VA for a doctor's appointment, someone who was not a doctor saw me. Do people other than doctors treat patients?

Answer: Other qualified health care providers such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners and clinical pharmacists also treat patients. These health care professionals have received additional medical training and are fully licensed. These practitioners work closely with your doctors to coordinate your care. Our VA Medical and Regional Office Center has an affiliation with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. Other staff physicians closely supervise these doctors in training. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call 433-0600.

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[CALENDAR]

Events to commemorate
Pearl Harbor 60th Anniversary

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Through Wednesday

>> Pearl Harbor 60th Anniversary Conference: "A Day to Remember, A Time Not Forgotten" featuring noted speakers, authors, Pearl Harbor survivors, Japanese veterans, and historians highlighting more than 26 related topics; narrated tours of the attack sites; receptions; special world premiere film screenings; and much more. Open to the public. Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. Day rates available. Registration: 422-2771, ext. 110. Go to www.pearlharborevents.com for daily schedule.

Today

>> World premiere of History Channel documentary film "Save the Arizona," 7:00-9:30 p.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, Tapa Ballroom. Archeological and ecological issues facing the USS Arizona such as corrosion rates, source of oil leaks, and how best to address environmental concerns while respecting the Arizona as a tomb and a shrine. Open to the public. Seating limited on a first-come basis. Free admission.

Tuesday

>> "Pearl Harbor" special screening, 7:00-10:30 p.m., Waikiki 3 Theater. Special showing of the movie Pearl Harbor with introduction and commentary by Disney executives. Open to the public. Cost: $15; Golden Circle Seating $100. Funds raised will help build a new museum for the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. Reservations: 422-2771, ext. 110.

Wednesday

>> Pearl Harbor 60th Anniversary gala banquet, 6-10:30 p.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. Join Pearl Harbor survivors for dinner, dancing and silent auction. Special USO entertainment and recreation of jitterbug dance contest performance by Pearl Harbor survivor Jack Evans and civilian survivor Pat Thompson. Event benefits Arizona Memorial Museum Association. Open to the public. Cost: $150; $3,000 for Golden Circle table for 8 (Pearl Harbor survivor and volunteer will be the "9th and 10th" guest on the table). Reservations: 422-2771, ext. 110.

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All week

>> Free special events, guest speakers, author book signings, entertainment, bands and exhibits are being hosted by the National Park Service, Arizona Memorial Museum Association, Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department and the different branches of military service at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. Reservations required. Call 422-2771, ext. 128. No bags, purses, diaper bags or other containers that could conceal items will be allowed at Visitor Center. Hand-held cameras okay. Here is a list of each day's activities:

Today

>> Kamaaina Day: Entertainment from 7:30 a.m. through noon with opening ceremony at 8 a.m. Speaker is Ed Ichiyama of the 442nd Infantry Engineers (100th Battalion, MIS, 1399) at 8:10 a.m.

Tomorrow

>> U.S. Army Recognition Day: Events on the half-hour from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Speaker Ted Tsukiyama, Varsity Victory Volunteers at 8:10 a.m.

Tuesday

>> U.S. Navy Recognition Day and USS Arizona survivor visit: Events from 7:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Speaker: USS Utah survivor Clark Simmons remembers the sinking of the Utah at 11 a.m.

Wednesday

>> U.S. Marine Corps Recognition Day: Events from 7:30 a.m.-noon.

Thursday

>> U.S. Air Force Recognition Day: Events from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Speaker: Phil Rasmussen: A pilot's eyewitness account of Dec. 7, 1941, at 11:30 a.m.

Friday

>> Pearl Harbor 60th Anniversary Commemoration Public Ceremony:

7:30-7:45 a.m.: Pacific Fleet Band;
7:45-9:30 a.m.:
National Park Service welcome;
Moment of silence;
Passing of USS Paul Hamilton;
Hawaii National Guard F-15 missing man formation fly over;
Color Guard presentation;
National Anthem;
Taps.

Speakers: Capt. Jim Daniels, Wildcat pilot aboard the carrier USS Enterprise; Lenore Rickert, Naval Hospital Pearl Harbor, on duty at the Pearl Harbor Naval Hospital located at Hospital Point, when the Japanese attacked; Joan Earl, civilian survivor, 10-year-old on Ford Island witnessed the attack and watched the USS Arizona explode and sink.

9:30-10:00 a.m.: Pacific Fleet Band
10:00-11:00 a.m.: Arizona National Guard Band
11:00 a.m.-12 noon: Speakers: USS West Virginia survivor Dick Fiske and Japanese pilot Zenji Abe reflect on the Events of Dec. 7, 1941.

>> No public tours to the Memorial on Dec. 7.

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If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.

Gregg K. Kakesako can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.