SP5 Henry Kalohi

For Memorial Day this year, I published a photo of SP5 Henry Kalohi’s grave marker at the Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) as a tribute to a fellow soldier and friend with whom I served in the 225th Aviation Company (SA). Here is a sequel to that short article. First, here is what I wrote:

“When Karin and I were planning our trip to Hawaii in 2006, I remembered that Henry Kalohi was a Photo Lab Tech (84G20) in our unit in, if my memory serves me correctly, in late 1969. I knew he was from Hawaii, so I looked for his name on the Internet. Sadly, I found it among the listings for the Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu.

“While we were there in April 2007 it took this photo of his grave marker. I don’t know the circumstances around his death. Rest in peace, my friend.”

In June of this year I received the following e-mail: “Gordy, Thanks for your mention of my brother on your 225th Aviation blog. I am very glad he is remembered by someone he had served with in Vietnam. Thank you for stopping by at Punchbowl to pay your respects. That was very, very kind of you. Aloha, Walt Kalohi.”

Walt is Henry’s brother; he was searching the Internet for any mention of Henry and found this blog. I e-mailed Walt and asked him about the circumstances surrounding Henry’s death. He told me, in part, that when Henry returned from Nam, he was deeply affected from the experience. He was saddened by what he saw there, and Walt recalled that there was one particular person who died that really affected him. When he returned from Nam, Henry attended the University of Hawaii as an art major (he was an excellent artist) and shortly thereafter had an “emotional breakdown.” Although he was receiving psychiatric help, in the end, he took his life. Walt concluded that Henry “was a gentle and friendly man.”

That’s how I remember him, as a gentle and friendly man. Walt has sent some pictures that Henry took while at Phu Hiep. I’ve put some of them together for you look at and stir some memories. Thank you Henry for leaving these for all of us.

Loren Shrock's Pictures from the 19th Annual OV-1 Mohawk Association Reunio

Loren sent me this note for you all to be able to see his pictures from the Reunion. To see the photos just left mouse the link below, or type mrloren.smugmug.com in your browser. Click on the gallery named OV-1 Mohawk; it is the first gallery.

Thanks Loren, these are wonderful!

"The 225th's Hawks" Video

As many of you know, I work as an Administrative Assistant III in the Emergency Department at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Well, recently the hospital treated us all to a concert by the Beach Boys at Safeco Field to celebrate the recent name change of the hospital (from Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center), and the culmination of a 7 year fund drive to raise $300M for uncompensated care, facility improvements and research. The goal was exceeded by nearly $50M!

So, we celebrated!

As Karin and I were listening to this really good “old” music from the 60s and the 70s, I was also thinking about our upcoming reunion in Portland, and about what I could do on the blog to showcase the 225th’s airplanes. The music that night inspired me to put together a video of our Mohawks. Go to www.225observer.us and take a look at the result. I think you’ll like it.

If you would like DVD of “The 225th’s Hawks,” send me a blank DVD-R (that is capable of handling at least 10 minutes) along with a stamped, self-addressed disc mailer, and I’d be glad to make one for you. Address your request to me at 13111-88th Place NE, Kirkland, WA 98034-2636.