Hawaii Air National Guard Photograph | click to enlarge
This undated photograph shows a F-102 Delta Dagger that apparently had some landing gear problems. The plane has “US Air Force” on it’s side but still has the round ANG logo, so a suggested date would be in the mid-1960s.
There was no information with the photograph – can any retiree help?
From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website
More than 21 million Veterans and Servicemembers live in the U.S. today, but only about 6 percent of them bought a home using a VA home loan in the past five years. That percentage could be much higher.
Eligible Veterans often bypass the program as a viable option for a number of reasons.
First, they may not know all the advantages. Second, they may think getting a VA loan is an arduous process to be avoided. Last, some lenders don’t take the time to teach Veterans about the program, or don’t know much about it themselves. The VA home loan is a program non-military home buyers wish they had access to.
You’re sneezing, coughing, and all stuffed up. It sounds and feels like a cold, alright. But as time goes on, you start to wonder. Is it turning into a sinus infection?
They’ve got some things in common, but there are ways to tell them apart. The right ID lets your doctor get you the best treatment.
Tony Grillo photograph | click to enlarge
Vietnam Veterans Day
Vietnam Veterans of America, O‘ahu Chapter celebrated its second annual National Vietnam Veterans Day at O‘ahu Veterans Center.
In the photograph: (L-R) Fred Staedel, Mel Falcon, Monica Mahelona, Ed Cruickshank and Dan O’Leary
Edward Cruickshank served in leadership and management positions in the Hawaii Army National Guard during his career. He is active in veterans activites and serves on the board of the O‘ahu Veterans Center.
Earlier Retiree News post on the National Vietnam Veterans Day
Pancreatic cancer is called a “silent” disease because symptoms typically do not show up in the early stages.
Pancreatic cancer has gained attention from the diagnoses of several prominent figures, including Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who was diagnosed in 2003 and died Oct. 5, 2011. Jobs had an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor, a rare form of the disease. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and actor Patrick Swayze have also faced pancreatic cancer. Swayze died in 2009. The lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 65.
United States Representative and Lieutenant Colonel K. Mark Takai died of pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed with a small tumor on his pancreas in late October 2015.
Takai announced on May 19, 2016, that he would not seek reelection because his cancer had spread, but vowed to serve out the remaining eight months of his term. He died two months later at his home in Aiea. He was 49.
David Livingston photograph | click to enlarge
CrimeStoppers Fundraiser
Nonprofit organization CrimeStoppers Honolulu recently welcomed guests to its annual fundraiser at Honolulu Country Club, themed “Support Our Student Superheroes.”
In the photograph: (L-R) Rick Lau, Frances Camacho, Paulette Ing, Bertha Kaui and Mel Hayashida.
Richard “Rick” Lau served many years in the Hawaii Air National Guard as a member of the 154th Medical Group. A Traditional Guardmember, he was a career insurance agent until he retired. After retirement, he began volunteering with CrimeStoppers Honolulu. He is one of the representatives who answer calls and take your information.
If your tax refund this year was disappointing, you may be able to do something about it: Contribute more to a retirement fund.
Tax-deductible contributions to 401(k)s, IRAs and other retirement accounts are among the few remaining ways to reduce taxable income if you don’t itemize deductions. And few of us do these days: Only about 1 in 10 taxpayers is expected to itemize now that Congress has nearly doubled the standard deduction, tax experts say. That’s down from about 1 in 3 before the law changed.
From the Huffington Post website
La Roche-Posay’s Anthelio Melt-In Sunscreen Milk received a top score from the publication for the fourth year in a row, making it the best lotion sunscreen for this year. Consumer Reports ranks sunscreens annually after conducting a rigorous testing process that judges the formula’s UVA and UVB protection, SPF, variation from SPF, cost and overall performance.
Off the Hawaii Adjutant General’s Facebook page
Hawaii National Guard Photograph
Today as we marked the beginning of Military Appreciation Month each service recognized their Volunteer Service-member of the Year during a ceremony at the Capitol in the Governor’s chambers. The Hawaii National Guard’s awardee was Staff Sgt. Tara Macion.
Macion is a Fusion Analyst in the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 201st Intelligence Squadron. She is being honored for her efforts to support Hawaii’s underserved and indigent populations though her work with organizations such as Kokua Closet, a local non-profit that provides foster children with basic necessities, and Entertaining Angels, a homeless outreach program that distributes food and hygiene products and provides fellowship and support.
Additionally, Macion is committed to ensuring hundreds of homeless and foster children have the supplies they need during the school year and Christmas gifts during the holidays. It is a testament as to why she was honored as the 2018 Hawaii Air National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. Great Job Staff Sgt. Macion.
See more photographs – all Hawaii National Guard photographs
Off the Lava Brigade Facebook page
US Army Photograph
Kosovo Force 25 Soldiers participate in a 5k “Color Fun Run” on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo on April 28, 2019. The run was hosted by the SHARP Jr. Council members to raise awareness of sexual assault and prevention. Kosovo Force – KFOR is dedicated to the enduring commitment NATO has to the people of Kosovo.
See more photographs of the fun run – all US Army photographs by Sgt. Guillermo Terriquez and Sgt. Gavin Ching/Released)
Click to enlarge
Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
Hawaii Air National Guard Photograph | click to enlarge
Congratulations to Chief Master Sgt. David J. Franks, Hawaii Air National Guard’s newest chief! Family, friends and members of the 154th Medical Group attended a promotion ceremony to celebrate his career-defining achievement. As the highest-ranking enlisted Airmen, Chief Master Sergeants serve as mentors for non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted members and serve as advisers to unit commanders and senior officers. We’re certainly lucky to have experienced and caring leaders, like ‘Chief Franks,’ in our HIANG Ohana!
Retiree News 