the THIRD ANNUAL NFL GIVEAWAY TRIP WITH AARON GOMEZ AND AUKAIKANE
The winner of our Third Annual NFL Giveaway was won by Wounded Warrior Aaron Gomez and his son, Aukaikane. They were joined by escorts, Kathy Nirei (WWO Board Member) and her husband Miles. Aaron won with his wonderful essay - and he and his son enjoyed the all-expenses trip to see the San Francisco 49ers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mahalo to all of the sponsors of the trip, including the football tickets donated in honor of Albert Yee; hotel stay and $500 spending money donated by Wounded Warrior Ohana; airfare donated by Ron and Erin Evans of 21 Century Island Homes. Wounded Warrior Ohana could not have made this trip possible without the generous donations.
The happy winners arrive at their hotel for the weekend.
Having fun at the tailgate party.
A fun day of football…plus the Niners win!
SECOND ANNUAL NFL GIVEAWAY - ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP FOR HERMAN AND EZEKIEL KELII
Herman Kelii was the winner of Wounded Warrior Ohana’s second annual NFL Giveaway. He submitted a heartfelt essay, which won him an all-expenses trip to see the San Francisco 49ers play the New Orleans Saints in Levi’s Stadium. His son, Ezekiel, (who happens to be a die-hard 49ers fan) accompanied Herman.
Mahalo to all of the sponsors of the trip, including the football tickets donated in honor of Albert Yee; hotel stay and $500 spending money donated by Wounded Warrior Ohana; airfare donated by Ron and Erin Evans of 21 Century Island Homes. Wounded Warrior Ohana could not have made this trip possible without the generous donations.
Pre-game tailgate party
The 49ers Museum
Niners Win!!!
Go 49ers!
Herman and Ezekiel’s award luncheon. Mahalo, Erin Evans (center) for donating the air fare for their trip.
US. Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Stremel and his son, Calvin, experience a dream weekend trip to CAlifornia
Petty Officer Jon Stremel was the winner of an NFL Weekend Essay Contest sponsored recently by Wounded Warrior Ohana. He won roundtrip airline tickets to California on Hawaiian Airlines, a hotel stay at Hilton Santa Clara, tickets to the October 3rd 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks football game and $500 in spending money. Jon and his son, Calvin, met up with Jon’s parents and enjoyed a wonderful weekend together.
Mahalo to all of the sponsors of the trip, including the football tickets donated in honor of Albert Yee; hotel stay donated by Wounded Warrior Ohana; airfare donated by Ron and Erin Evans of 21 Century Island Homes and the $500 cash donated by Adam Karalius. Wounded Warrior Ohana could not have made this trip possible without the generous donations. Mahalo also to Hilton Santa Clara for the warm welcome and VIP treatment of the Stremels.
Kicking off the weekend with breakfast at Hilton Santa Clara. L to R: Don Inouye, Wounded Warrior Ohana; Jon Stremel; Calvin Stremel; Jon’s parents, Rachel and Steve Stremel
Touring Levi’s Stadium Museum with former Hawaii resident and 49er, Jessie Sapolu.
Jon and Calvin getting some air time at the anchors’ seats.
A gorgeous day for a football game!
Young Calvin’s First Professional Football Game! (Photo courtesy of Jon Stremel)
The Stremel family presented this wonderful banner to Wounded Warrior Ohana at the pre-game tailgate party. What a nice way to show appreciation!
Wounded Warrior Ohana Presents final Veteran of the Quarter and Inaugural Veteran of the Year Awards.
L to R Wounded Warrior Ohana President Dick Rankin, Vet of the Quarter Derrick Ontai, VA Veteran Service Coordinator and Head Billy Kealoha. In addition to the plaque, Derrick received a $100 check and a hand crafted afghan by Wounded Warrior Ohana volunteer Marge Awana.
L to R Wounded Warrior Ohana President Dick Rankin, Vet of the Quarter Derrick Ontai, VA Veteran Service Coordinator and Head Billy Kealoha.
Kirby Suginaka is awarded the inaugural Veteran of the Year Recognition. Kirby is flanked on the left by Billy Kealoha and on the right by Dick Rankin.
The Inaugural Vet of the Year Plaque!
In addition to his name being engraved on the permanent plaque, Kirby received a $200 check and a hand crafted afghan by Wounded Warrior Ohana volunteer Marge Awana.
Some of Kirby Suginaka’s colleagues at Punchbowl Cemetery gathered for his award ceremony.
Wounded Warrior Ohana Sponsors Special NFL Weekend for wounded Warrior
L to R: VP Wounded Warrior Ohana Don Inouye, Susan Scott, Airfare Donor Erin Evans, Navy Wounded Warrior Coordinator Margo Crane, Winner Jonathan Stremel, Runner-Up Hank Pascua, VA Coordinator Billy Kealoha, Airfare Donor Ron Evans, President of Wounded Warrior Ohana, Dick Rankin.
Johnathan Stremel wins Special NFL Weekend Essay Contest. He will fly to Santa Clara for the 49er vs Seahawks game on 3 October. The tickets were donated in honor of Albert Yee, Navy Vet. The airfare was donated by Ron and Erin Evans of 21st Century Island Homes, and the hotel stay at Hilton Santa Clara is compliments of Wounded Warrior Ohana. Adam Karalius donated $500 for per diem.
R: Army Vet Hank Pascua was the runner up for the NFL Special Weekend essay contest. He is in line to go should anything cause the winner to not be able to go. Hank won a $150 gift certificate at Chart House. L: Billy Kealoha heads up the VA program for wounded warriors.
Wounded Warrior President Dick Rankin (L) presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Ron and Erin Evans for their generous support of Wounded Warrior Ohana.
VA Veteran of The Quarter Awardees
L to R: Eugene Lopez, Dick Rankin, Christopher Rees, Billy Kealoha
L to R Eugene Lopez, Dick Rankin, Christopher Rees
Wounded Warrior Ohana presented $100 checks and plaques to Eugene Lopez and Christopher Rees for winning the Veteran of the quarter for the past two quarters respectively. We are catching up with this program post covid. Billy Kealoha who started the program and heads up this veterans’ program is also pictured.
RICHARD T. BLOUNT SCHOLARSHIP
Casey Kuwada was awarded the inaugural Wounded Warrior Ohana Richard T. Blount Scholarship. He will be attending the University of Hawaii West Oahu. Richard T. Blount was a United States Air Force aviator who wanted to help finance young students in their pursuit of higher education.
Casey was presented with a check and congratulatory certificate on August 13, 2021 by Wounded Warrior Ohana President Dick Rankin.
Phones For Veterans
Because of COVID-19, VA counselors could not conduct their normal in-person visits with their veterans. These heroes need and appreciate continued contact with their counselors. The VA reached out to Wounded Warrior Ohana and was able to receive a donation of more than 35 cordless phones to assist with the much-needed communication.
Armfuls of phones were given to the VA for use by their clients.
Makana (Grants)
Since launching the Makana Program two years ago, Wounded Warrior Ohana has provided everything from car repairs, to home renovations to air fare and even cleaning supplies.
Scholarships for Gold Star Families
The first Gold Star Family scholarships were presented to seven at a luncheon held in December, 2020 at Roy’s Restaurant in Hawaii Kai.
Wounded Warrior Ohana honors our nation’s veterans
WWO board members marched in a procession honoring America’s veterans at a Veteran’s Day Ceremony at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.
