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In the Military Gregg K. Kakesako |
See also: For Your Benefit
Activated Gulf War
veteran tries to stick
with isle palsWhen Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Nicalas Ladao found out a little more than a week ago that he was going to be activated and reassigned to a California reserve unit, he tried to change his orders to be with a Hawaii reserve unit -- the 411th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) -- even if it meant going to Iraq for a year.
"I have known many of those soldiers (in the 411th) for at least 11 years," said Ladao. "I have worked with them."
But the Army Reserve said no and Ladao, who has been in uniform since 1982, left for Bakersfield, Calif., on Dec. 29 to join the 736th Transportation Company as a truck driver. He still doesn't know if his unit will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.
"Oh, my goodness" was his wife's initial reaction when told of the activation order.
Even at his age, Ladao said he's "ready to go ... I still get the energy." He's 52.
After leaving active duty following the 1991 Gulf War, Ladao joined the Pacific Army Reserve and was a masonry and carpentry instructor with the 40960th Multi-function Training Brigade at Shafter Flats. In civilian life he is a postal worker at the Honolulu Airport station.
Ladao anticipated that he would be pressed into service since his initial training was as a truck driver. "That is one of the crucial MOS (military occupational skills)," Ladao said.
Hawaii's military members will be honored Jan. 10 as many of them in the 25th Infantry Division, the Hawaii Army National Guard and the Hawaii Army Reserve prepare to spend a year in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro (D, Wahiawa-Poamoho), one of the organizers of the event, said: "It is not only fitting, but incumbent upon Hawaii's citizenry to demonstrate our appreciation for the sacrifices our brave men and women of the armed forces have made and will be making in the war against terrorism."
Beginning at 10 a.m. at Kapiolani Park and Bandstand, entertainers, including the Shanghai Circus, Jim Nabors, the Royal Hawaiian Band, IMUA, Simplisity, Vaihi, Alec B. and Rozie will perform. Free food and drink coupons will be provided to those with military ID. A yearlong discount program, sponsored by the Wahiawa Community & Business Association, the Rotary Club of Wahiawa-Waialua, and the Rotary Club of Mililani Sunrise, will be announced to show appreciation for the soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and their families.
The festivities will be followed by "Sunset on the Beach" at Queen's Surf Beach beginning at 4:30 p.m. The featured film is "Daddy Day Care." For more information, contact Oshiro at 586-8505.
More than 20 veterans' groups will honor retired Brig. Gen. Irwin Cockett who leaves Jan. 7 as director of the state Office of Veterans Services. Cockett, a Korean and Vietnam veteran and helicopter pilot, also served as commander of the Hawaii Army Guard. The farewell luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. at the Pagoda Hotel. Tickets are $25 per person. For more information, contact Jennifer Aina at 433-0423.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other
sources by reporter Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for
the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He can be reached can be reached by phone
at 294-4075 or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.