LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – It was a touching moment of honor and respect.
Many FOX5 viewers saw the story of a Henderson Vietnam veteran locating a fallen buddy’s name at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. The story was part of FOX5’s coverage of Honor Flight Southern Nevada’s trip to our Nation’s Capital in April.
The nonprofit, Honor Flight Southern Nevada, takes veterans to tour their war memorials, at no cost to veterans.
Kenneth Pavese found the name Benito Igarta Junior on the wall. He told FOX5, also on the trip, his friend was killed when the pilot of the helicopter Igarta Junior was in, was hit by enemy fire. The chopper then crashed. Benito Igarta Junior was one of several people on board who died.
After that story aired, FOX5 received an email from a woman from Hawaii, who was in Las Vegas visiting her elderly parents. She told us her parents wanted her to watch the story about Kenneth Pavese.
“My parents were very teary about it. They were very emotional about this whole thing, and I thought it was just because of the war. The war was tough for a lot of people,” said Kristin Leoiki Matsuoka.
Matsuoka’s parents got emotional because of the name Kenneth Pavese found on the wall. Matsuoka then sent a text message to her cousin Pam Keola, who lives on Oahu in Hawaii. Pam then sent FOX5 an email that said in part:
“I have viewed the clip many times over these past few days. It’s been an emotional experience every time I watch it. I give thanks to you, your crew and your station for this amazing gift. A snippet of time in your life has filled a hole in my life. Mahalo, Pam.”
Of the more than 58,000 names of those killed or missing in action on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Kenneth Pavese found one name, Benito Igarta Junior, who is Pam Keola’s father.
Pam Keola says she knew very little about her father because she was only three years old when he died, and her mother didn’t talk much about Benito after he died.
“This was the first I’ve heard anyone share about him. It is such a blessing to have that little tid bit that Mr. Pavese shared about him,” said Pam Keola.
With the help of sponsors, America First Credit Union and Semper Fi Heating and Cooling, Pam Keola flew to Las Vegas to meet with Pavese. Some of her relatives also joined her at the veteran’s Henderson home.
When Pam Keola opened the door, she greeted Pavese with a hug and gave him a lei. Both then sat down and talked about her father.
“I’m happy my father made an impact on you, for you to remember him all these years later,” said Keola.
The conversation was filled with tears and smiles. The two shared photos of Igarta Junior and Pam’s family. FOX5 is airing that conversation, on FOX5 News at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday evening.
FOX5 is also airing a one-hour special on the April Honor Flight trip. That will air Friday, July 4th 6 p.m., in place of our evening news.
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