Hawaii honors military

  • Published
  • By Maj. Brad Jessmer
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
Members of Oahu's local community recognized members from all branches of the armed forces today with a luncheon in their honor, and invited General Paul V. Hester, commander of Pacific Air Forces, as the keynote speaker.

The event marked the 22nd annual Military Appreciation Month Luncheon put on by the Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, where service members were recognized by local civic leaders at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.

"It is a great opportunity for me as the Pacific Air Forces commander to be with you," Gen. Hester said. "It's a great opportunity to see all the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who are here and to congratulate them on their service and thank them for their service to our nation world-wide."

During the event, a member from each branch of service was presented a Community Service Award for excellence in community outreach by the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce. These members are; U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Sharlinda Warner, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Diem Ngo, U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Thomas Yaron, U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Crystal Havey, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Science Technician First Class Elizabeth Yeager, and Hawaii National Guard Senior Airman Ryan Young.

"Hawaii demonstrates community like no other that I've experienced in 36 years," Gen. Hester said.

The Chamber of Commerce also highlighted the Air Force's 60th anniversary by recognizing the Air Force as this year's lead service. After showing a Heritage to Horizons 60th Anniversary video, Chamber president Jim Tollefson said "if I were just a few years younger, I'd re-enlist in the Air Force. If that doesn't pump you up, nothing will. As the lead service for the appreciation luncheon, the Air Force emceed the event with Col. Tim Saffold of 13th Air Force and the opening invocation was delivered by PACAF's Deputy Command Chaplain, Col. (Chaplain) Jeff Guild. In addition, the Air Force band of the Pacific performed throughout the event, to include a medley of Service songs to close the luncheon.

In his final comments, General Hester thanked the local community for their support.

"This month is a representation of what we feel every day of the year that we spend in Hawaii," Gen. Hester said, "it's an example of why we know we can leave this Island and go forward to do America's business in Iraq or Afghanistan or elsewhere throughout the world, it's because you are the strength that stands behind us."