26-05-2025
Hawaii man, Vietnam veteran honors fallen heroes in Washington, D.C.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — As Memorial Day closes in, a Hawaii man and Vietnam War veteran looks to share a piece of his military past in Washington, D.C.
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Combat medic veteran Allen 'Doc' Hoe visited the USAA Poppy Wall of Honor, which offers a space of remembrance and reflection to honor the 600,000 service members who lost their lives in service to the country.
An American flag traveled with him, but it is not the average American flag.
It's the flag he's had since his time in combat, when he lost 18 members of his battalion after they were overrun by a regiment of the North Vietnamese Army in May 1968.
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His son, 1st Lieutenant Infantry Officer, Nainoa K. Hoe, carried the flag with him when he served in Iraq in 2005.
'This flag went to my son and he was carrying it the day he was killed in combat in Mosul, Iraq. I am very proud of this incredible young man,' Doc said.
This year, the Poppy Wall of Honor features a special dedication to Nainoa, and Doc will be there to not only honor his legacy but also share his story with visitors from across the country.
Officials said Doc's American flag will also be on display for visitors to see through Memorial Day weekend.
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While in D.C., Doc also spent time visiting the Vietnam War Memorial, where 'he laid down poppy pins for all of his fallen brothers and sisters who were lost in combat in his service career.'
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