DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Korean War veterans proudly marched along Kalakaua Avenue yesterday as part of a parade through Waikiki to mark the 50th anniversary of the armistice that ended the war.
Shared experiences draw together
soldiers who served in the
"forgotten" Korean War
Even though they'd never met before, Ed "Doc" Brown and Antonio F. Rodriguez share a bond -- "the ohana of war veterans," as Brown calls it.
"We're just one big, enormous family -- so strong and so connected. We all had a job to do, so we did it," Brown said after a parade through Waikiki yesterday to honor the veterans of the Korean War and the 50th anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting.
Rodriguez, a visitor from California, was an Army ammunition sergeant during the war. He watched as the veterans, color guards, marching units and military bands passed by and then walked up to Brown to shake his hand and swap stories.
"I'm proud of them. They're proud of me. Even if we don't know each other, we still are proud," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez is also visiting Hawaii to try and locate Richard Shigomoto, his friend from the war.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Veterans who waved to the crowd from a convoy joined color guards, marching units and military bands in the parade.
"I haven't seen Richard since the war. I don't even know if he's alive or not," Rodriguez said.
Brown, who was an Army combat medic in North Korea, faced a similar experience three years ago when he searched for the man who saved his life.
Brown was shot in the head, chest, back and both legs while trying to aid fallen soldiers.
He hid under an Army truck to avoid more gunfire, when "someone pulled me out and saved me," Brown said. "He saved my life."
Brown located the man several years ago and invited him to Hawaii.
"It was a sight to see two grown men cry," Brown said about their reunion.
Yesterday's parade opened doors for many veterans who wanted to remember the war but had a difficult time doing it, according to Brown.
"Many soldiers do not like discussing it. It's something they don't wanna do, or they're not comfortable telling people about," he said.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Brig. Gen. Irwin Cockett, chairman of the Korean War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Commission, waved to the crowd along the parade route yesterday.
Brown only began sharing his war stories several years ago because he wanted to share his history with his family.
"No one had any interest in the war 50 years ago. It was forgotten, over and done with, out of sight and out of mind," Brown said. "But I want my grandchildren to know about it."
Ceremonies marking the end of the fighting in the Korean war continue today with a memorial service at 10 a.m. at the National Cemetery of the Pacific and a tribute at the Waikiki Shell beginning at 7 p.m.
Gov. Linda Lingle proclaimed today Korean War Veterans Day.
