Page 10 - MidWeek - Nov 24, 2021

10 MIDWEEK NOVEMBER 24, 2021
mission and loved him. As a public speaker, his con- nection to audiences was a clear message and belief that all Americans were a part of his journey and the reason for him surviving seven years in the Hanoi Hilton.
By Jerry Coffee Jr.
The son of highly decorated and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Gerald “Jerry” Coffee fondly remembers the father who lived a life that honored his family, his
Dad made it clear that during his captivity in Viet- nam he promised himself that he would return home and share his experience for the purpose of reminding every- one that his courage was not distinguished or unique, but it was the kind of courage that was common to us all. Key to his message was the impor- tance of keeping faith in self, faith in God and, most import- ant, faith in our country.
Ocommunity and his country.
n Nov. 12, former ginia, together with wife Su-
Jerry Coffee Sr. (far right) enjoys a cherished moment with his immediate family, which includes (from left) wife Susan Page- Coffee, stepbrother Kyle, stepsister Joy, and children Jerry Jr., Kim, David and Steven. PHOTOS COURTESY JERRY COFFEE JR.
POW and retired san Page-Coffee, to be closer
sage resonated with its simple validation for the strength of the human spirit, his belief in the goodness of others and the importance of unity as a nation.
ten, scuba dive Mākua reef regularly, pick puka shells on Mā‘ili Beach endlessly, grind “crackling” from the imu ‘up Nānākuli side’ with Uncle Ho‘ohuli Black, and comb Kahuku Beach at sun- rise to build Mom and Dad’s Japanese glass ball collec- tion. Dad loved Hawai‘i as much as he loved sucking fresh ‘Aiea mango seed over his kitchen sink. But mostly, he cherished the kind and generous “welcome home” that the people of Hawai‘i extended at every turn.
four children. Sons David and Steven became school- teachers, and Steven a nurse as well. Meanwhile, Kim Coffee-Isaak founded The ARTS at Marks Garage as a nonprofit advocate and artist, and I became a social worker and clinical therapist. Each of us understood the importance of service to others and how to make Hawai‘i and the world a better place.
Navy Capt. Gerald to his specialty medical pro- Coffee, 87, quietly passed viders at Johns Hopkins.
away in his Virginia home surrounded by loved ones. Although a 45-year resident of Hawai‘i, he had been spending more time in Vir-
As his family, we wish to offer this remembrance of Dad and share a very warm mahalo to all who heard his message, understood his
Dad’s speaking engage- ments in Hawai‘i were “small kine” initially, but his mes- sage hit hard and deep and realized his ability to keep the promise made to him- self in those dark prisons. To those hundreds in Hawai‘i who stood teary-eyed to offer applause and support, please know that it was each of you who made his homecoming complete.
Dad inspired many as a longtime columnist with Mid- Week. Although his messages did not strike approval with every political stripe, he stood in the same conviction, as when he sacrificed for our nation, in the belief that it was stronger than self-serving and divisive politics.
Dad never declined invita- tions to speak and addressed thousands in the communities he found among Hawai‘i’s churches, public and private schools, scout troops, com- munity and civic groups, corporations and nonprofit organizations and, of course, to veterans and the mili- tary community he loved so much. All who heard his mes-
Following his release, Dad’s life returned to naval aviation in Hawai‘i in 1976 and his duty station was Bar- bers Point Naval Air Station (a far cry from what is now Kalaeloa). In the years that followed, the Coffee family embraced Hawai‘i, and Ha- wai‘i would embrace us back. Dad would pound New Year’s mochi in old ‘Ewa town of-
As his family we were lucky, not only for his influ- ence in our lives, but for the good fortune that Hawai‘i be- came our home as well. His legacy includes stepbrother Kyle, who became a Marine Corps pilot, and stepsister Joy, an accomplished CEO of a trade association. From his first marriage, Dad had
Dad often closed his speech- es using the POW tap code. Al- ways in code, he’d tap on the podium, “G-B-A” — or God bless America.
On behalf of Dad, and with immense gratitude for helping him to come home, “G-B-H” everyone: God bless Hawai‘i for honoring Capt. Coffee, and God bless Capt. Coffee.
Coffee’s distinguished career included flying low-level reconnaissance missions over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 (left) and receiving numerous military honors (right), such as the Silver Star and POW medals, two awards for the Purple Heart and two awards for the Bronze Star.
Jerry Coffee Jr. is the youngest of four children born to Jerry Coffee Sr.