WAHIAWA (HawaiiNewsNow) - For many in Wahiawa, Veterans Day isn’t just tradition, it’s a tribute that keeps their legacy alive.

The 79th annual Wahiawa Veterans Parade brought out more than 1,600 participants, a strong turnout even as the ongoing federal government shutdown forced active-duty service members to avoid community events.

Among those leading the celebration was retired Col. Kimo Dunn, one of the parade’s grand marshals.

“It’s such a unique and nice place up in Wahiawa, and it’s such a tradition, 79 years where the Wahiawa Lions Club has put that on,” Dunn said. “A real shoutout to them too for all their service and community support to put this on for our veterans.”

But parade organizers say the absence of military participants was deeply felt.

“We felt really bad because

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