On Nov. 11, our nation will honor its veterans. Large cities and small towns across the country will honor our veterans with parades and picnics.
This past spring, an enthusiastic group of veterans and other interested folks on Maui with a "can do" attitude began planning for a Veterans Day parade on Maui under the auspices of the Maui Veterans Council. The parade was to honor all veterans, especially those recently returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
This group put in a lot of time and effort to line up parade participants; to plan the parade route, sequence, events and reviewing stand; to set up a budget; to contact sponsors; and to raise money to support the effort.
Despite all this hard work and effort, the parade has been canceled.
It seems there were foot-draggers and naysayers, individuals and groups who decided not to participate and to oppose the efforts.
Makawao can have a rodeo and parade; Lahaina has Pioneer Days and Halloween parades; Maui Fair presents a fantastic parade and multi-day event; Kihei and the Pacific Whale Foundation put on an annual parade and fair; and even Hana has its Aloha Day parade.
But Maui County is just unable to pull together and have a parade to honor its veterans. Shame.
For me, I will fly my flag high. And I thank our veterans and their families for the service, sacrifices and hardships they endured.
When you meet a veteran, thank him or her. They will appreciate it.
John Fairbank
Kihei
