click on photograph to enlarge
In 1981, some members of the Hawai‘i Army National Guard’s 292nd Supply & Service Company posed for a photo at the Pōhakuloa Training Area. Third from the left is then CPT Gervin Miyamoto and MAJ Emerick Kaneshi on the far right.
Retiree Update: Gervin continues as the US Marshall for Hawai‘i and Emerick recently retired from his State position with the Department of Defense.
Mahalo to Steve Lum who shared the photo.
Mahalo to all the men and women who serve and have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Learn more about Armed Forces Day http://ow.ly/lauqq
The Hawai‘i National Guard held an offsite for senior leadership last weekend. On Friday, the speakers included Pono Shim of Enterprise Honolulu and Kimo Alameda, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Health Equity in Hilo.
On Saturday, Governor Neal Abercrombie joined the training session and spoke to the attendees. View photos at http://t.co/50dJLJ7QKD.
Check out this short video “Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans” http://t.co/tZBiFPN1DV
The May 2013 edition of Air Force Magazine is available online at http://ow.ly/kQTOw. This annual almanac issue has a lot of information about the Air Force – commands, aircraft, bases, etc.
This B-26C ‘Invader‘ belonged to the 199th Fighter Squadron of the Hawai’i Air National Guard. The 199 FS flew these aircraft from 1946 until the early 1950s. Note the “TH” markings for ‘Territory Of Hawai’i” and the original 199 FS “Kūkā‘ilimoku” emblem that was replaced in the early 1960s.
Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Photo courtesy of Ted Merrill, Retired 154th Wing Historian
The May 2013 issue of Hawaii Veteran is out. Read on http://ow.ly/kZOFD
The U.S. Army’s top officer says the service is poised to pick a new camouflage pattern for uniforms. The selection comes after tests showed the existing design, a grayish-green digital pattern that appears on the standard-issue fatigues known as the Army Combat Uniform, or ACU, was poorly suited for environments such as Afghanistan, according to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno. Read on http://ow.ly/kWpme
The Hawai‘i National Guard will hold its annual Birthday Ball on Friday, December 13, 2013. Again this year, the ball will be at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The Guard’s enlisted corps will plan this this year’s event with CMSgt Robert Lee and CSM Ronald Oshiba as serving as the committee co-chairs. The planning committee is working to maximize retiree involvement in this year’s ball. The ball will provide retirees an opportunity to reconnect with current Guard members and other retirees. Retirees will have the option to sit with their former units or with other retirees.
While it is early to talk about costs, menu and other specifics, the planning committee asks that you “save the date”. It will be another great evening of good food and entertainment with present and former Guard members.
From CMSgt Willie Rafael, the 154th Wing Command Chief:
“At the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam meeting this morning, it was officially mentioned that base decals will no longer be required to access the base starting 1 Jun 2013.”
Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that the Department’s Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force will publish a comprehensive draft report in the Federal Register for public feedback and comment. The report describes how the Department of Veterans Affairs has been, and will continue to address the concerns of Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. Read on http://ow.ly/l3Skk
Since 1973, the City & County of Honolulu and American Savings Bank have joined together to publish the Senior Information and Assistance Handbook. The handbook lists services for senior citizens and all the contact information to these organizations. Review the 2012-2014 edition of the Senior Information and Assistance Handbook at http://ow.ly/kWnII
Learn more about Military Appreciation Day at the Zoo http://fb.me/2t8Gsyfda
Lt Col Russell Smith, one of the early members of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard, passed away on April 10, 2013. He was 93 years old. According to his son, Dale Smith, his father was a member of the HIANG from 1946 through his retirement in 1967.
A graveside service is set for July 5, 2013 at Oahu Cemetery, located at 2172 Nu‘uanu Avenue. The gravesite (plot 42A, section 2) is approximately a 100 yards in on the main access road, on the makai side. The service will begin at 1100.
Read more about Russ Smith: dale-smith-comments
Mahalo to Brig Gen Braden “Mongo” Sakai for sharing this information.
