Three Kaua’i Vietnam War veterans receive warm welcome after D.C.’s Honor Flight trip

At baggage claim B at Līhuʻe Airport on Wednesday evening, a crowd eagerly waited with signs, leis and flags to welcome home three local Vietnam War veterans.

When Edward Kawamura Sr., Robert “Bobbie” Paik and Terry Daligdig appeared, cheers and applause erupted from family and community members.

The three men from Kauaʻi were part of a contingent of 14 Vietnam War veterans from Hawaiʻi that recently traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of a distinguished initiative organized by Hawaiian Islands Honor Flight.

The trip, which included ceremonies at the nation’s military memorials, provided significant opportunities to reflect on their service alongside other veterans from across the state and country.

“I enjoyed my trip, I enjoyed the company, and I enjoyed all the United States airports that supported us,” Daligdig said. “You got me all right here in my heart.”

Edward Kawamura Jr. said it was “so awesome to see the community here to welcome my dad,” adding he saw “some folks are out here from Hanapēpē.”

His father, 84-year-old Kawamura Sr., began his U.S. Army career on Independence Day in 1958.

He served honorably for 20 years, traveling the world and participating in activities such as the Congo Crisis, the Dominican Crisis and the Vietnam War before retiring in July 1978 as a chief warrant officer 2.

This trip was Kawamura Sr.’s fourth visit to the Nation’s Capital to participate in Honor Flight.

“This was a special trip for me,” Paik said. “I have so many dead friends there; in my unit, there were 22 dead, and I myself was shot. This time, I brought one coconut lei.”

Paik added: “I was glad that I was able to make this trip with Terry. We hang out a lot, and everyone made it very special.”

Paik, an 81-year-old resident of Kapaʻa, joined the U.S. Army in June 1963 and became a Specialist 5 (E5) helicopter mechanic, crew chief and gunner. He received 19 Air Medals with a “V” device for valor in combat before retiring in July 1966.

This trip was a first for Daligdig, a 74-year-old resident of Kapaʻa. He became emotional as soon as he crossed the airport gates.

Daligdig, a sergeant who also was injured in war, said he never stopped searching for his fellow soldiers who were injured alongside him. Joyce Daligdig, said that her husband called during the trip to say that he had finally found them.

“After many years of searching, he found their names on the (Vietnam Veterans Memorial) wall,” Joyce Daligdig said. “They did not survive the war; he was the lone survivor.”

She said he spent years trying to find them by connecting with a “whole channel of groups and organizations on Facebook.”

Daligdig served in the Army from 1969 to 1972, receiving 5 purple hearts and 5 bronze stars.

“I want to thank everyone who is with the Honolulu Honor Flight personnel,” Terry Daligdig said. “I canʻt say enough about everyone who celebrated us along the way.”

The Vietnam War is often regarded as a lost cause in American history. There were no public parades or celebrations held for soldiers returning from the war that many in the country protested against.

“That always bothered him,” Joyce Daligdig said. “So when we see them get celebrated, it’s a blessing.”