(BIVN) – Col. (Ret.) Deb Lewis provided thoughtful testimony before the Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday in support of the annual Hawai‘i Island Veterans Day Parade, as well as service in general.

Lewis is chair of the parade. This year’s parade’s theme, “Celebrate Service”, is focused on the increased involvement of veterans and the community to serve those in need. Held in downtown Hilo, the parade has grown into one of Hawaii’s largest Veterans Day parades, the event website states.

Lewis was testifying on a resolution transferring $1,000 from the Council Chair Valerie Poindexter’s Contingency Relief account to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney in order to provide the grant money to cover some parade expenses. She also spoke in support of the 2018 Hawaiʻi Island Women’s Leadership Summit.