KAILUA-KONA — The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12122 Auxiliary spent more than a year fundraising to make a special 20 minutes possible this morning.
The post has announced the dedication ceremony and blessing of the Purple Heart Memorial honoring those members of the armed forces injured or killed in the line of duty. The event is set for 11 a.m. today at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.
“A lot of people said we couldn’t get it done in a year,” said auxiliary member Gaylene Hopson. “But boy, we sure did.”
Construction of the memorial required $19,000, which was obtained through a plethora of fundraising events from garage and bake sales to the Charity Trees at Mauna Lani contest.
Hopson said county council members Dru Kanuha, Karen Eoff, Maile David and Valerie Poindexter also contributed $3,333 each to make the memorial a reality.
“What’s really great about it is it’s dedicated to (Marine) Lance Cpl. Christopher Camero, who our VFW post is named after,” Hopson said. “His parents have been there (throughout all the fundraising) because they’re part of our auxiliary.”
Camero died after suffering injuries in Afghanistan in 2011.
Refreshments will follow the ceremony. All are welcome to attend.