The Can Do Spirit of Maui
By Jan C. Scruggs
Janna Hoehn is a petite, determined woman from California. She and her family have lived on the Island of Maui for more than 20 years. She is active in the community and her day job involves creating world class floral arrangements for the many weddings and events in Maui.
Janna decided that she would spearhead an effort to get all of the photographs of those from Maui who had given their lives in Vietnam. It took a year of persistent work, commitment, detective work and persuasion. She found teachers, librarians and family members until the job was done. On Memorial Day, Sen. Daniel Inouye joined her at a Call For Photos event in Maui.
This is the Can Do Spirit of Maui!
Janna is now working on a fundraiser to get $1,000 in honor of each of the 42 soldiers from Maui who did not return from the war. She is joined by others in this event which involves the veterans community of this lovely vacation paradise at the Cafe O’ Lei at the Dune at Maui Lani. The event starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012. Why don’t you just jump on an airplane and attend? Or maybe do the same type of event in your community?
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund wants to thank her for being an example of what a dedicated person can accomplish. Others like retired West Point graduate Gen. Neal Creighton have collected photos and raised money for the fallen heroes of the Academy. Neal Stanley, a volunteer at The Wall, raised more than $120,000 in Denver.
We are in a race against the clock. We want to break ground in November. Why the rush? Because in 2014 the Education Center can be completed. The Center will be there to welcome home the American veterans from Afghanistan. They too will be honored there.
In a nationwide grassroots movement, people like Janna make things happen through sheer determination. The Education Center at The Wall will honor America’s heroes. Many people are helping. Some help in very big ways like Janna. Learn more at www.buildthecenter.org.
So proud of the efforts that have been made to not only put a face with every name on the wall but also to help make the education center a reality… and yes, Janna Hoehn is a force to be reckoned with!
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I am honored and very proud of you!
GodSpeed.
This has been a true honor to find the photographs of our Maui Fallen… Fundraising for the Education Center has been so rewarding, just helping to make people aware of Our Heroes and helping to build the center as been life changing for me… thank you for the wonderful story and the comments! Aloha!
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Hi Janna,
Thank you so much for the letter you left at Casey Villon’s gravesite. I am very glad I had the chance to talk with you while I was in Maui. I’m back in Calif. and I will email you a picture
of my brother. Appreciate all your hard work and hope to meet you in Maui in the near future.
Mahalo and warm regards,
Marina Villon Gavam
Aloha Marina, thank YOU for the beautiful photo of your Brother, it replaces a photo that wasn’t so good. It was lovely talking to you, I have searched for your family for a very long time. Iam so happy you found the letter, I left 4 letters, I have heard from 3 families so far. I love the family photo you sent me… a very beautiful family your Brother belonged to. As I told you, the search for all the “Maui Boys” has sent me on a journey I could never imagine. Such a blessing to meet people like you. I hope to meet you soon, thank you for writing, it been an honor finding photos for these very deserving young men… my 42 Maui Brothers! Aloha Janna