WAILUKU - Family, friends and veterans paid tribute Friday to Maui's four fallen soldiers in the wars in Iraq.
The county's elected officials and Hawaii's congressional delegation reminded everyone of the importance to show gratitude to those serving in the armed forces and to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
"It is our duty, our responsibility, our obligation to always remember our fallen warriors," Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo said.
Mayor Charmaine Tavares signed a proclamation at the ceremony held outside the War Memorial Gymnasium declaring Friday as the Day of the Fallen Warriors. The ceremony included the unveiling of the etched names in black marble on the memorial outside the War Memorial Gymnasium.
"They will always be remembered by our country," Tavares said in reading the proclamation.
Soldiers honored on Friday were:
* Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Bolor, 37, a Lahainaluna High School graduate, killed in a helicopter crash on Nov. 15, 2003.
* Spc. Jay Cajimat, 20, also a Lahainaluna graduate, killed in a roadside bombing April 6, 2007.
* Pvt. Eugene Kanakaole, 19, a Maui High School graduate, killed in a noncombat-related incident June 11, 2008.
* Spc. Christopher Sweet, 28, a Maui High graduate, killed in a noncombat-related incident on Feb. 6.
Bolor's widow, Kelly, and their 9-year-old son, Kyle, attended the ceremony along with Bolor's twin brother, Keith "Maxie" Bolor, and other family members.
"We're just honored and thankful," Kelly Bolor said.
Kyle, who was 3 at the time of his dad's death, smiled at the memorial. "It's nice," he said.
Maxie Bolor held his 1-year-old daughter, Teija Malia, in his arms, as he honored his brother.
"It's always chicken skin at ceremonies like this," Bolor said.
Lilibeth Cajimat, mother to Jay Cajimat, was overwhelmed with emotion.
"It's really nice for them to do this," she said.
Sweet's family reportedly has moved away from Maui, and Kanakaole's foster parents, Jack and Herlinda Eades, attended Friday's event. Jack Eades said he was happy to see his foster son and others recognized for their sacrifice.
"This is a good thing. I think it'll help," he said.
Representatives for U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, and U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, all delivered messages from Washington, D.C., to the families and the 100 or so people attending.
"Each is a hero. Each deserves our heartfelt prayers and gratitude," Inouye said of the fallen soldiers in his message read by attorney Ry Barbin.
Aside from the county proclamation, the County Council also presented special certificates for each of the soldiers' families.
Maui County veterans presented Hawaii flags and framed certificates to each of the represented families as well.
The ceremony included a 21-gun salute by the Veterans of Foreigns Wars Post 3850 and a performance by the Baldwin High School JROTC drill team.
Maui County Veterans Council President Rogelio "Roger" Evangelista said he was glad to see soldiers being honored for their service.
"We veterans need the public's support. All gave some and some gave all by serving in the military," he said.
* Claudine San Nicolas can be reached at claudine@mauinews.com.
* This story includes a correction from the original published on Saturday, Mar. 14, 2009, stating the place the four soldiers died. There is also a clarification on Air Force Staff Sgt. Damon V. Kanuha in the 4th photo caption.
