DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Teary-eyed 8-year-old Allison Chu gave John Henry Rogers Jr. a salute in the middle of singing a tribute medley of "Amazing Grace," "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful" during his memorial service yesterday at the Fort DeRussy Chapel. Chu, who sang on his Olelo Hawaii TV show, said that Rogers taught her how to salute.

Hundreds bid farewell
to compassionate patriot

Many salute John "The General"
Rogers as a flag-waver for veterans

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By Lisa Asato
lasato@starbulletin.com

They came by the hundreds to salute the man they called "the General," and pledged to keep his legacy of patriotism and compassion alive.

John Henry Rogers Jr., 55, was remembered yesterday as a positive, energetic "one-man band" who brought awareness to the plight of underprivileged veterans and was always ready with a hand up, not a hand out.

For nearly four years, Rogers, a Vietnam veteran, spent six days a week flashing smiles and waving flags at morning commuters on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Kalakaua Avenue. He did it to raise awareness about benefits for Hawaii veterans, whom he helped through his nonprofit organization BRAVO Hawaii. He died Dec. 22 after collapsing while waving the flag at his corner.

He was waving the American flag "long before it became the thing to do," said Bob Talmadge, one of the eulogizers. Talmadge later added, "I'd be willing to wager he took an American flag with him, and is actively seeking out veterans who passed (before him)."

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Amy Tamaribuchi, left, Nina Ngugen and Thai-Hang Phan became emotional near the end of yesterday's memorial service for John Henry Rogers Jr. All three worked with Rogers on his Olelo television show.

In a tender tribute to the man who taught her how to salute, 8-year-old Allison Chu paused to salute Rogers, who lay in an open casket behind her. Her medley of "Amazing Grace" and patriotic songs brought many to tears.

Before performing, Chu said she was happy to be able to sing for Rogers, whose cable access TV show always opened with her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"He's dead right now so I can sing him a song and make him feel better," she said.

Flags abounded at yesterday's services: embroidered on hats, patched on shirt sleeves and carried in the hands of mourners. An American flag and lei were draped over Rogers' white casket.

"This man was a prince of peace, yet he was a soldier and fought for his country," said Will Haynes of BRAVO Hawaii.

Haynes promoted the entire standing congregation to generals to carry on the work of the man who did it all. "That's the only way we can do it," Haynes said, "for ... every one of you to be a general, be on that corner waving that American flag and ... (supporting) military personnel in body and soul."

Reading a life history of his uncle, Air Force Capt. Eric Hilliard said Rogers was one of 11 children and was known by community elders as "the good baby."

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM At the end of yesterday's memorial service for John Henry Rogers Jr., his brother and sister, Rev. Thomas Rogers and Sandra Francis, embraced.

"He was born as a natural healer," he said, "a healer of the soul. Early in life he was looked upon as one who could do no wrong. He never expected anyone to do anything for him; rather he would do for others willingly."

Rogers was born in Oxford, Miss., on Jan. 5, 1946. He would have turned 56 yesterday. Condolence letters were sent by U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D, Hawaii), the state House of Representatives and the governor and first lady.

Rogers served 22 years in the Army, retiring in 1988 as a master sergeant. He will be buried with full military honors at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. Tomorrow would have been the four-year anniversary of his flag-waving.

Cindy Langpaap, who helped Rogers feed homeless veterans every Sunday at Fort DeRussy Beach Park and also worked a part of his TV show, said before the funeral: "His mission has become our mission. (My husband and I) take him with us wherever we go ... whatever we do. We try to live up to his standards now, as well as the Lord's."