Richard Yasunaga, a retired member of the Headquarters, 201st Combat Communications Group, passed on December 9, 2018 in Kuakini Hospital. He passed after a long battle with cancer.
Services are set for Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park (new chapel) 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744.
Visitation: 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Services: 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Celebration of Life: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Burial at 1:00 PM on March 22,2019 at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.
For additional information, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/396976371056459/
Retiree News extends heartfelt sympathy to Richard’s family and friends.
Retiree News photograph
Lt Col Norman Ault served for many years as the Commander of the then-154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMRON). He enlisted in the Guard, and rose to the rank of master sergeant before receiving a direct commission. He retired in 1989 after a long military and technician career.
This photograph shows the colonel and his wife Pearl at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. The party was held on December 6, 2002 at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Officer’s Club.
From the Everyday Health website
Left untreated, hepatitis C can damage your liver over time, causing serious scarring of the liver called cirrhosis, as well as liver cancer and liver failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the past, the treatment for hepatitis C was a lengthy process that was not very effective — now, however, new medication has turned the viral infection into a curable condition.
Here are 10 important facts you should know about treating hepatitis C today.
An estimated 3.5 million people in the United States may have chronic hepatitis C, and many of them are unaware that they have been infected, according to the CDC. “It is called the ‘silent epidemic’ because people can be infected for 30 or more years and have no idea.” There is a simple blood test, talk to your doctor about it.
During my working years, I paid for three independent financial planning sessions — the last after the 2008 financial collapse, to assess the damage. But only when my employer of 20 years wiped out my job in a budget cut in 2017 did I experience the retirement financial planning process and learn how it’s very different.
Frederick Kaoru Hirayama Jr., 84, of Honolulu, O’ahu, passed away on December 27, 2018 in Honolulu. He was born on November 18, 1934 to Frederick and Josephine Hirayama.
Fred is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane Hirayama; Children: Colleen (Dale) Mosher, Blaise (Auli’i), Ann (Akoni) Shannon, and Drake (Audrey); 11 Grand- children and 1 Great-grandson.
Graduate of Saint Louis High School’s Class of ’52, retired from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands and the Hawaii Air National Guard. Special thanks to Saint Francis Hospice, Kuakini Hospital and Palolo Chinese Home.
Memorial services: February 9, 2019 at Star of the Sea Church. Visitation – 9:00 a.m., Service – 10:30 a.m, Mass – 11a.m. Celebration of life – 2:00 p.m. at St. Louis Alumni Clubhouse. Casual attire, no flowers please.
Retiree News extends heartfelt sympathy to Fred’s family and friends.
Retiree News photograph
On February 27, 2010, there was a retirement party for Colosse Eliapo at the Navy Marine Course. Attending were many of his family, friends and co-workers. In this photograph shows (L-R) Alwyn Yoshimura, Colosse, Galen Yoshimoto and Duke Ota.
Colosse enlisted in the Hawaii Air National Guard in the late 1970s; serving as a administrative specialist in the then-154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He later cross trained into the budget section in the comptroller’s office, serving until his retirement. Sadly, he passed away in 2015.
A great Airman and a true friend.
From the NGAUS Washington Report
Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, will join Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., as a co-chairman of the House National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus. (Their website is in drastic need of a update)
Ryan replaces longtime co-chair and former-Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn. Walz left Congress in December after his election to be the governor of Minnesota.
Palazzo has helped lead the caucus since 2015 and said he looked forward to working alongside Ryan.
The caucus was formed in 1996 with a goal of helping ensure the National Guard and Reserve are sufficiently resourced for missions at home and abroad.
Hawaii representation taken from their websites: Tulsi Gabbard remains a member of the NGRCC; Ed Case is not a member.
Mission and Purpose of the House National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus
As members of the NGRCC, we have pursued legislative and policy initiatives that ensure the National Guard and Reserve components have the proper inputs on policy, procurement, force structure and utilization within the Department of Defense. The Caucus is genuinely interested in the future of the National Guard and Reserve components as a part of the Total Force Integration policy and the National Security Strategy, especially given their critical role in the Global War on Terrorism. In addition, we are interested in the improvement of employment and education opportunities for National Guard and Reserve personnel returning from overseas deployments.
A military travel discount site rolled out this month by the Defense Department and Priceline boasts that it offers exclusive travel savings for qualifying users.
The site, American Forces Travel, offers hotel, flight, car rental and cruise deals, as well as bundled or package deals that a spokesman said can save travelers an average of $240 per person.
So I put it to the test. Could using it save money for a real human like me?
Retiree News photograph
Robert Snyder served in the Comptroller Office for many year before his retirement in 2004. He was a Title 5 employee who wore shorts and colorful socks everyday.
In this photograph with Bob are (L-R): Richard Costa, Celia Espinosa, and Rose (Vendiola) Welden.
Stressed about finances? You’re not alone.
Workers of all ages are concerned about money, according to PwC US’s 2018 Employee Financial Wellness Survey. They fret about a lack of emergency savings, not being able to retire when they want to, how to cover health costs in retirement, how to financially support parents and adult children – and more.
Yet there are steps that can alleviate some of those concerns and bolster “financial wellness,” which PwC says workers typically define as freedom from stress and financial worry and the ability to make choices that let them enjoy life.
Passengers 75 and older can receive some form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security that allows TSA to better focus resources on passengers who more likely pose a risk.
Screening Benefits
– You may leave on your shoes and light jacket during screening.
– If you alarm during security screening, you may be required to remove your shoes for further screening or undergo a pat-down. You can request to be seated during this portion of the screening.
– Passengers 75 and older who are unable to stand for screening will be screened through other security methods.
Should you travel with medical devices and/or implants, other screening procedures may apply.
Off the Hawaii Adjutant General’s Facebook page
“A good amount of Hawaii Air Guard in this piece.”
ANG Director empowers the force to sharpen its lethality to a razor’s edge
People on Social Security need a tax break. The rest of us need to make sure they get it — for everyone’s sake.
When Congress made Social Security benefits taxable in 1983, lawmakers didn’t index the tax thresholds to inflation. They “forgot” inflation again when adding a second layer of taxation in 1993.
That means the proportion of recipients who have to pay federal income taxes on their benefits keeps increasing. Initially, only 1 in 10 Social Security recipients had to pay any federal tax. Now, it’s over half.
