Hawaii Commandery Military order of foreign wars
DECEMBER 2021
Commandery News
Table of Contents:
Vol. X, Issue 4, December 2021
We have presented awards to cadets at virtual ceremonies and recently at physically distanced but socially connected on site ceremonies. We have had a very successful series of lecture and presentation events as part of our meetings and sponsored with the larger veterans’ community. We have learned to hold our own small remembrance events at multiple sites when the larger events were cancelled or restricted in size.
Commander’s Comments……………………………………….……….. p. 1 Chaplain’s Corner…………………………………...………………………. p. 2 Poppy Appeal at Camp Smith ………………...………………………. p. 2 Gen. Rep. of Flanders Visits Hawaii ………...………………………. p. 3 25th Infantry Division Veterans’ Day Schofield Barracks….. p. 4 Commonwealth Remembrance Day in Hawaii 2021 ..……….p. 5 Veterans Day at the WWI Memorial in Waikiki..………...…… p. 6 Youth Challenge Academy Awards ………………....……….....… p. 7 Adm Sam Paparo Speaks to Veterans …………………………….. p. 8 Hawaii’s Hidden Military Memorials—Pearl Harbor .. ….... p. 9 Commandery honors WWI Centennial Volunteers……….... p. 11 50th Vietnam War Commemoration ……………………...…..…. p. 11 Companion News ……………………………………………..…..………. p. 12 Upcoming Events ……..……………...……………………..…......……. p. 13
As we move forward I encourage all of us to bring some of these learning experiences with us by continuing to leverage virtual meeting technologies so those who can’t make our in person meetings can stay connected. Also continue with some of the smaller remembrance events such as those at Oahu Cemetery’s Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and other veterans’ plots, Companion Hirai’s personal commitment to represent the Commandery at Schofield Barracks remembrance events, Companion Tulak’s ongoing commitment to the Commonwealth Remembrance Day in Hawaii supporting America’s allies and partners in their ceremony, and many others that individuals and small groups of our companions these smaller events held a few days before memorial day, veterans day, and other lesser known remembrance events involving specific conflicts and observed by various local cultures.
Cover Photo: Flanders Remembers wreath presented by General Representative of Flanders, Mr. Yves Wantens, on October 22, 2021, in advance of the 102nd observance of the Armistice. Photo by Curtis Manchester
Commander’s Comments. Aloha Companions and Friends, I am very proud of our Commandery as we have learned how to excel in service and remain sociality connected with our companions and other others committed to service while remaining responsible to rules and recommendations protecting us from spread of COVID-19. It was great seeing one of our newest Companions, Dan Garcia, representing the Commandery by presenting a flower lei at the World War One Memorial in Waikiki on Veterans Day. We also hosted a remembrance event at the World War One Natatorium, a Pear Harbor Tour on the admiral’s remembrance barge, and a dinner at the Elks Club for the visiting General Representative of Flanders, Mr. Yves Wantens and his wife Nannoo, our latest foray into diplomatic events! We have learned so much in the last two years: how to hold virtual meetings that allow companions located all over the islands and the world to attend, and now as we gradually return to a new normal we know how to hold in person meetings that minimize the chance of contagion in a pandemic and have retained a virtual option allowing Companions who live elsewhere, or those at greater risk, to attend meetings and some events.
“Deus et Libertas”
Curtis “Manny” Manchester III LTC, USA Ret. Commander
From the Secretary Our current Officer Slate is nearing the end of their terms of office. Nominations and elections are required to formally establish the Officer slate for the next 2-year term of office. Please consider volunteering to serve in a leadership position. A reminder to all Companions that annual dues of $35 are to be submitted by February 1st, 2022.
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Chaplains Corner By Fred Staedel, Th.D. Yes, we are all looking forward to Christmas and a New Year and we all will be celebrating God’s protection as we hopefully find ourselves being released from the scourge of the pandemic which is our real Christmas gift to ourselves, family, and friends. And hopefully we will be able to assemble in our churches or even in our backyards to reverently thank our God for this deliverance. But for this month’s “Chaplain’s Corner” the Christmas gift will be the giving of joy and hopefully some laughter with the following “Holy Humor!” A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, “I know what the Bible means!” His father smiled and replied, “What do you mean you know what the Bible means?” The son replied, “I do know!” “Okay,” said his father, “What does the Bible mean?” The son joyfully replied, “It stands for ‘Basic Information Before Leaving Earth!’” There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. “Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk. “Only the Ten Commandments!” answered the lady. There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: “I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is it is still out there in your pockets!” A joyful minister wanting to teach a lesson but yet bring laughter to his congregation ended his service with, “People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention!” So paying attention to the Divine, to the God idea we love to worship will bring us the joy of deliverance from this human plague that besets our nation and the world and therefore laughter will return. How do we all know this? Because the Bible tells us so: “He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” (Job 8:21) Fred
Commandery Poppy Appeal at Camp Smith by COL, Ret., Arthur Tulak The Commandery conducted a Poppy Appeal outside of the Marine Exchange Mart at Camp Smith on 9 and 10 November. Our Commandery is the only Veterans Organization meeting on Camp Smith, and was the first organization to be approved for fund-raising during the pandemic last November ahead of Veterans Day. Volunteering to carry out this important two-day event were Companions Tulak, Curtis, and Manchester, raising funds for the Commandery’s Cadet Awards Programs and Vietnam Veteran Recognition programs.
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Commandery Supports Visit by the General Representative of Flanders, Belgium By COL Ret. Arthur Tulak, Ed.D. Companions Tulak and Manchester supported the visit of Mr. Yves Wantens, the General Representative of the State of Flanders Beligum, who came to Hawaii to pay tribute to Hawaii’s WWI Veterans and to learn about the States WWI Centennial Commemoration. Responding to a request from the Belgium Consulate in New York sent via the U.S. National World War One Centennial Commemoration Commission, Companion Tulak set up a two day event schedule for Mr. Wantens, his wife Nannoo, and the Honorary Consul of Belgium in Hawaii, Mr. Jeff Lau. The program included a tour of Pearl Harbor on the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet’s Remembrance Barge on the morning of 21 October, which Companion Manchester led as the official sponsor. The following day started with a visit to the WWI Memorial on the morning of 21 October, where Mr. Wantens presented a wreath (procured by the Commandery) to present at the gate of the Memorial. Supporting this visit were other representatives of the HI WWI Centennial Task Force. In addition to honoring Hawaii’s WWI Veterans, the Belgian delegation was given an inside tour of the memorial arranged by Ms. Donna Ching, of the Friends of the Natatorium. That evening, the Elks Lodge, also a WWI Centennial Commemoration Partner, hosted a social event for the Belgian delegation at Waikiki. The National WWI Centennial Commission and the Consulate General of Belgium Admiral’s Barge flew the Delegation of Flanders to the USA The Belgium Flag. expressed their appreciation to the Commandery, and to the HI WWI Centennial Task Force who jumped to action. A total of 8 members of the HI WWI CTF participated.
Above: L-R: HI WWI Centennial Task Force Volunteers Schoen Safotu, Stan Fernandez Brenden Bliss, Donna Ching, Anita Manning, Mr. and Mrs. Wantens, Companion Manchester, Hon. Consul Jeff Lau, Ms. ClairE Levinson, and WWI Volunteer Rona Adams. 21 OCT 2021.
Above: Following the wreath-laying on 22 OCT. The wreath is enlarged on the cover of this issue, and was provided by the Commandery.
Below: The National WWI Centennial Commission provided a flag for display at all events associated with this visit. L-R: Hon. Consul Jeff Lau, Ron Lockwood VFW, Anita Manning TF Historian, Mrs. Wantens, Stan Fernandez, Manny Manchester, Mr. Wantens, Mrs. Levinson, and Ms. Vanessa Zimmerman.
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Veterans’ Day 2021 at Schofield Barracks By COL Ret. Peter Hirai On Veterans Day, I had the honor of representing the Commandery at the Schofield Barracks Veterans Day Ceremony. The keynote address was delivered by MG Joseph Ryan, Commander of the 25th Infantry Division and Senior Commander of U.S. Army Hawaii. After his speech, they presented the memorial wreath to Veterans who have passed on, and invited the two Veterans Service Organizations present to also present their wreaths. Upon cue, the Division presented their wreath, while the Purple Heart Society and I presented our wreaths. After playing of Taps we adjourned and posed for photographs. Although Veterans Day is to honor all those who served our nation, it is still important to pause for remembrance of those that gave their "last full measure of devotion" and those that have passed before us. This annual event focuses on the basics and encourages participation from Veterans Organizations.
Photos: Top Left NCOs standing by the wreaths during MG Ryan’s remarks. Above Left: MG Ryan addresses those Veterans, service members and their families gathered under the shade tent. Above Right: the MOFW wreath. Left: Companion Peter Hirai, MG Ryan, and a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart pay tribute to all Veterans past and present with the presentation of floral wreaths from the 3 organizations.
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Remembrance Day 2021 By COL Ret. Arthur Tulak, Ed.D. Every November, the nation is focused on Veterans Day, which first marked the armistice going into effect on Nov 11, 1918 on the Western Front, ending most of the fighting of the First World War. Now known as Veterans Day since 1954, when Congress passed a law changing the name to honor all who had fought in various American wars, not just in World War I. For the British Commonwealth, November 11 is observed as Remembrance Day, which usually includes reading of Major John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”, and observing two minutes of silence at 11:00 am on November 11, the time and date of the World War I armistice in 1918. For the past 9 years, the Canadian military delegation in Hawaii has hosted a Commonwealth Remembrance Day Ceremony at the site of four Commonwealth graves at the Oahu Cemetery in the shadow of the Puowaina Volcano Crater that is now the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, a.k.a. “Punchbowl.” I had the honor of participating in the 2021 Remembrance Day in Hawaii, in sight of the GAR plot in Oahu Cemetery, and representing the American Armed Forces as the senior ranking officer. I was part of the official party, listed below:
BGen Alexander Day recites the poem from memory “In Flanders Fields,” by Canadian Major John McCrae.
Australia: Ms. Andrea Gleason, Consul General for Australia in Hawaii and MGen Daniel McDaniel, Deputy Commanding General at U.S. Army Pacific Canada: BGen Alex Day, RCAF who serves at USINDOPACOM as the Deputy J3 New Zealand: CDR Wilson Trumper the NZL LNO to USINDOPACOM United Kingdom: Brigadier General Alan Lister, USINDOPACOM Deputy J5 United States: COL, Ret. Arthur N. Tulak In attendance were members of the Consular Following the event, individuals view the decorated graves and read the names of the Commonwealth service members buried there. Corps, representatives from Daughters of the American Colonists, and of course service members and their families. This was a great event that the Commandery should support in the future.
Companion Tulak, BGen Alexander Day, and Canadian Liaison Officer to HQ, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, LTCOL Adam Barsby, who has presented MOFW medals at Punahou JROTC.
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Veterans Day 2021 at the World War One Memorial By COL Arthur N. Tulak The Commandery supported the first Veterans Day event at the WWI Memorial approved by the Honolulu Parks Department since 2019. With COVID restrictions easing, the Commemorative Partner organizations of the WWI Centennial Task Force jumped to action to plan an event that would jump start commemorations at this important memorial. The event was organized by Fran Riddell and “CR” Drumheller of American Legion Post 17, with on-site support from the Friends of the Natatorium, Pyramid Rock Battalion of Young Marines, the bagpipers of the Celtic Kula, and AMVETS and American Legion Riders. The Military Orders of the Foreign Wars and World Wars were once again acting in partnership to support an important commemoration. The Commander of the Capt. Gaylord Dillingham Chapter of MOWW, Col Jason Seal, who supported the combined ANZAC Day ceremony in April was again in support. Also attending was a delegation from HMS Spey in port during a cruise. Lt Cdr Ben Evans, Commander of the ship also presented on behalf of her Majesty’s armed forces. He and his crew were surprised to learn that among those recorded on the Honor Stone were men from Hawaii who volunteered to serve for Great Britain before the U.S. had entered WWI. The crew of the HMS Spey were given a tour of the site and the history behind the Natatorium and the stone that holds From L-R: two unidentified enlisted members of the Crew of the the roll of honor. HMS Spey, Companion Manchester, Col Jason Seal, Commander of the Hawaii Chapter of MOWW, Companions Fred Staedel and Dan
The main speaker was DR Drumheller, Commander of Garcia, Lt George Wheatley RN , and HMS Spey Lt Cdr Ben Evans American Legion Post 17, and Dept of Hawaii American Legion Chaplain, Michele Hauser, provided the benediction. The reading of Major John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” was ready by Fran Riddell, American Legion Dept. of Hawaii. Other Veterans organizations present included American Legion Post 11, Chapter 858 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Sons of the American Legion.
Presenting a floral lei on behalf of the Commandery was Companion Dan Garcia. The Color Guard was provided by Kaimuki High School Army JROTC under the leadership of LTC Terrence Bryan and SGM Thomas Bruce. The Cadets performed the drill smartly. Likewise, the Junior Marines stayed focused on their tasks in support of the event. Eighty-seven motorcyclists from many of the riding clubs and groups on Oa- Above: Companion Dan Garcia presenting a floral wreath at the honhu joined the or stone on behalf of the MOFW. American Legion Riders, providing a warm-up for ceremonies in 2022, as this event usually incorporates a “rolling thunder” component for Veterans motor-cycle groups.
Above: Young Marines from the Pyramid Rock Bn at Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. The Battalion is commanded by LtCol John DiGiovanni.
Above: Kaimuki JROTC Cadets performed the Color Guard admirably, impressing those in attendance.
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Youth Challenge Academy Graduation By COL Arthur N. Tulak Along with Companion Manchester, I had the pleasure of attending the graduation and awards ceremony of the Youth Challenge Academy Class 55, at the Academy grounds of the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point on November 19, 2021. Distinguished guests in attendance included MG Ken Hara, Adjutant General of Hawaii; BG Ret. Bruce Olivera, Director of Community Programs Hawaii DoD; Sinaita’aga Atanoa, Director of the Youth Challenge Academy, and Tamafaiga Tuiteleleapaga, Dep. Director of the YCA. Honored guests recognized in the opening remarks included State Senator Mike Gabbard as well as the Companions present from the Military Order of Foreign Wars. The motivational speaker was 1SG Tiari Ventura, of the Tripler Army Medical Center HHC. 1SG Ventura is a Wahiawa native who graduated from the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy class of 09. 1SG Ventura was the perfect role model for these young cadets, demonstrating where there new opportunity could take them after graduation. Companion Manchester presented the MOFW Silver Medal for Academic Excellence to Cadet Keichawna-Rae Clemente Asibal, and the MOFW Bronze Medal for Leadership to Cadet Courage Tili, Both cadets successfully completed the course of study and receiving their High School Diplomas from the Adult Schools Division, Hawaii State Department of Education. Cadet Tili, winner of the MOFW leadership medal, also gave the valedictory remarks for Class 55 as the Class President! The MOFW Leadership Medal has been presented to the Class President for some years now. Class 55 produced several new recruits to serve in the U.S. Military, and seven had already been signed enlistments: • PVT Samson Loa, 13 bravo field artillery specialist, US ARMY • PVT Anthony Vargas, engineer & construction, USMC • PVT Aisek Esah, combat service support, USMC (winner of the Torricer Award) • PVT Auron Chung, communication, USMC (winner of the Torricer Award) • PVT John Ellie Ancheta logistics, USMC • PVT Pineauro Falealo Jr. communication, USMC • PVT Isaiah Paaaina-Kassebeer aviation electrical technician, USMC, who was also the recipient of the Adjutant General’s Leadership Award.
Above: Companion Manchester with 1SG Tiari Ventura, Graduate of Class OF 2009 Who delivered the motivational remarks.
Congratulations to our MOFW Award recipients and those cadets who are joining our military services!
Above Left Director Atanoa and Deputy Director Tuitelleapaga look on as Companion Manchester presents the Bronze Leadership medal to Cadet Tili Courage. Above Right: Companion Manchester presents the Silver Academics Medal to Cadet Keichawna-Rae Clemente Asibal.
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ADM Sam Paparo, Commander Pacific Fleet, Speaks to Veterans by COL Arthur N. Tulak ADM Paparo spoke to Veterans from several different organizations on 27 November at the Oahu Veterans Center. The event was coordinated by the OVC and Chapter 858 of the Vietnam Veterans Assn. Companions Staedel and Tulak were in the audience. ADM Paparo, a native son of Pennsylvania, is the son of an enlisted Marine, and the grandson of a WWII enlisted sailor. Commissioned though NROTC at Villanova Dominion University, he is the perfect example of the meritocracy that is the United States Military. He assumed command of U.S. Pacific Fleet on May 5th this year from ADM John C. Aquilino, selected to command U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. ADM Paparo spoke about the unbroken thread of the military ethos represented in the room as he addressed the many Vietnam Veterans, saying that they had been trained and educated by the WWII generation, and they in turn had educated and trained him and the service members of his generation. This unbroken thread extends to his own family, as one of his sons is currently an Ensign in the Navy, learning to fly at NAS Pensacola. Many of the Veterans present expressed their anger, frustration, and dismay over the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, followed by America’s ignominious and painful withdrawal from Afghanistan this year, and their own memories of the fall Saigon. ADM Paparo was able to relate to this pain, anger, dismay, and frustration over the national surrender in Afghanistan, as he had taken part in the very early phases of the war in 2001, taking out a surface-to-air missile site in Kandahar . He later commanded the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan in 2007, giving him “boots on the ground” experience, in addition to his operational and combat experience in the Balkans and Iraq. ADM Paparo also compared today’s world situation to that America faced in the 1960s and 70s, when we faced off against the global spread of Marxist and Leninist socialism from a totalitarian Soviet Union. He then described the growing threat of Communist China, now once again pushing Marxism and Leninism in a similar manner. A question on the minds of many of the Veterans was asked more than once, namely, about the likelihood of a Communist Chinese invasion of Taiwan, and what the American response would be. ADM Paparo reminded the audience that President Biden had recently stated publicly that the United States had a commitment to come to the defense of Taiwan, and explained our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which requires that the United States help Taiwan to prepare to defend itself, which it does through training and arms sales. He highlighted that there are American forces in Taiwan now, training and advising the Armed Forces of the Republic of China. The Admiral was asked to comment on the utility of continuing the U.S. policy of “Strategic Ambiguity” (as to whether it would come to the defense of Taiwan in the event of a Communist Chinese invasion), a policy stance that ADM Phil Davidson in his testimony before the U.S. Congress suggested may have outlived its usefulness, and the opposing view that what is needed is “Strategic Clarity” that the U.S. will defend Taiwan, a view that has strong support from Senator Tom Cotton and LTG Ret. Keith Kellogg, former adviser to VP Mike Pence. ADM Paparo explained that “Strategic Clarity” has already been established by the Chairman of the Military Committee of the PRC, and the Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Xinping, Above: ADM Sam Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks to who has stated that he is quite willing to use military force to Veterans at the Oahu Veterans Center. Note the Commandery flag on take Taiwan, and will be ready to do so by 2027. From the U.S. the left of the photo. perspective, our strategic and enduring commitment is to the International Rules-Based Order, which includes Taiwan. Maintaining that rules-based order is vital to America’s enduring strategic interest. At the end of his remarks, RDML, Ret. Alma Grocki, President of the Keehi Memorial Organization, thanked ADM Paparo for taking the time out of his holiday weekend to address the Veterans. 8
Hawaii’s Hidden Military Memorials By COL Peter Hirai and Mr. Eric Kimura The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) houses four (4) monuments to commemorate the December 7th, 1941 attack. All are within the Controlled Industrial Area (CIA) that prevents access unless someone is cleared for entry. Each is a bronze plaque mounted on a concrete base and specifically denotes an action that occurred on that fateful morning. The plaques are difficult to read so each plaque photo is accompanied by a transcription.
MONUMENT Number / Name:
Each memorial plaque is in proximity to US Navy ships that were severely damaged during the attack with accompanying loss of life. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the attack that brought the United States into World War II, let us not forget the Greatest Generation that fought bravely, many making the ultimate sacrifice, for our nation. Special thanks to Mr. Eric Kimura, supervising engineer at PHNSY, for providing the research, photographs, and narratives from each plaque. It is through Mr. Kimura’s work that the significant history of the shipyard and it’s critical role during the attack and the entire World War II effort is properly documented and preserved.
Inscription on the plaque of Marker #2: At 0910, 7 December 1941 near this spot, the destroyer USS Shaw and the tug Sotoyomo were drydocked in floating drydock No. 2. Enemy dive bombers inflicted grave damage sinking the drydock and severely damaging the Shaw and the Sotoyomo. 9
2. USS Shaw and Tug Sotoyomo Memorial 3. USS Pennsylvania, USS Cassin & USS Downes 4. USS Helena & USS Ogala 5. USS Honolulu
Inscription on marker #3: At 0910, 7 December 1941 enemy dive bombers attacked the USS Pennsylvania and the destroyers Cassin and Downes then in drydock No. 1 near this spot. The Pennsylvania later took part in many engagements against the enemy, but the Cassin and Downes were damaged beyond
Inscription on the plaque of marker #4: At 0758, 7 December 1941 at berth Baker 2, the USS Helena moored inboard the USS Oglala, was struck on the starboard side by an aerial torpedo which passed under the Oglala. The pressure from the explosion caved in the port bilge of the Oglala. She flooded, capsized, and sank.
Inscription on the plaque: At 0758, 7 December 1941 near this spot an armor-piercing bomb penetrated the dock deck and exploded under water inflicting severe damage to the USS Honolulu.
Commandery Operations by Secretary COL Arthur N. Tulak The Commandery conducted a meeting on Friday, September 21st at the Sunset Lanai on Camp Smith. Members present set about planning the Commandery’s participation in memorials and commemorations for Veterans Day, poppy appeals at Camp Smith, and the Christmas Brunch with the Military Order of World Wars Capt. Gaylord Dillingham Chapter. At this meeting, the EXCOM approved an order of MOFW garrison caps from Keystone Cap Co. which will be available for sale at the January 2021 Commandery meeting. Companions present remarked on the passing of a great Vietnam Veteran CSM Robert “Bob” Novite Silva, who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces, with a total service of 28 years in the Army. Bob was a Green Beret in the 77th, 7th, 5th and 10th Special Forces groups, and served two tours in Vietnam. His basic training in Ft. Ord, CA was the 1st all Hawaii Company. Upon retirement from the Army, he then served 21 years as a JROTC Army Instructor at Farrington High School and 7 years as the Hawaii JROTC SGM at the state level. In April of 2016, the Hawaii Commandery presented Bob with the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal for his continuing volunteer service with Special Forces Association, the Army Retiree Council, and the Oahu Veteran's Council . Bob passed away unexpectedly on August 14, 2021, at the age of 84. The photo at right was taken by Dan Curtis at the Sunset Lanai at Sunset at the conclusion of the meeting, and is a good reminder of why we meet there. 10
Hawaii Commandery recognizes volunteer of the Hawaii WWI Centennial Commemoration. Companion Manny Manchester recognized WWI Centennial volunteer Maurice “Mo” Radke at the Social held in conjunction with the Belgian delegation on 22 OCT at the Elks Lodge in Waikiki. Mo has been an a key organizer of commemorations and memorials held at the WWI Memorial for many years, serving as Master of Ceremonies often, and serving as the President of the Friends of the Natatorium. Mo was one of the planners who helped to ensure the 2021 Veterans Day at the WWI Memorial took place. Companion Tulak recognized CPT Rona Adams, an Army Nurse in the Vietnam War, and President of Chapter 858 of the Vietnam Veterans of America on 27 November at the Oahu Veterans Center. Rona was one of the first leaders in the OVC, along with Dennis Egge of the National Association of the Uniformed Services, to advocate on behalf of the Hawaii World War One Centennial Task Force, where Companions Manchester and Tulak represented the Commandery along with many other Veterans organizations supporting efforts to honor and remember the 9,800 from Hawaii who served during the Great War.
Above Left: The Hawaii WWI Centennial Volunteer Medal, one of just one hundred minted for the commemoration. Right: Companion Tulak presents the Hawaii WWI Centennial Volunteer medal to CPT (frmr) Rona Adams, at the OVC, 27 NOV 2021
50th Vietnam Veteran Recognition Program Recognizes Hawaii Veteran with the 50th Vietnam War Veteran Pin By Fred Staedel The Hawaii Commandery presented the 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Pin to Vietnam Veteran M/Sgt Maurice Collette, USAF (ret). M/Sgt Collette entered the Army as an infantry soldier serving in Vietnam and after an Honorable Discharge he elected to join the Air Force. He served in the 9th Infantry Division seeing combat in Vietnam both as a RTO and as a rifleman. He received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB) and saw ongoing combat during his tour in Vietnam. His unit was staged for immediate "no notice" combat deployment when ordered to engage the enemy and was taken to battle either by the “Brown Water Navy” or on Army helicopters. He said, “I feel blessed that being shot at that I was never hit.” And he felt that he didn’t deserve the CIB but his fellow soldiers that were hit were the ones deserving of the CIB. In civilian life, he completed a successful career with the United States Postal Service. Presenting the MOFW Hawaii Commandery Certificate of Recognition is Companion Fred Staedel under the auspices of the Honolulu Elks Club with five friends and fellow club members attending the presentation. 11
Companion News
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Companion Dan Curtis has been accepted into a post-baccalaureate secondary teaching certificate program at Saint Martin's University in Lacey, WA. Dan will begin his studies following his active duty retirement from the Army on 1 August 2022 and conduct his student teaching experience across the 2022-2023 school year. Upon completion of the cohort program, Companion Curtis will have earned his Washington State License to teach secondary level Social Studies and intends to teach in the Olympia area. Prior to his commissioning in 1995 and entry into active duty service, Dan earned his initial teaching certificate and temporary license upon graduation from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Companion Curtis also earned a Masters in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology while serving on active duty.
Companion Peter Hirai attended the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference at the Devos Conference Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with 1,100 other emergency managers, Peter heard the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) new administrator address the crowd and speak of the greatest hazard facing emergency managers, climate change. The FEMA administrator, Ms. Deanne Criswell, is FEMA's first female administrator in its history. She spoke with passion and enthusiasm and wished all emergency managers well as we face unheralded challenges from pandemic response. Peter also met with the Uniformed Services Caucus, where all services were represented and the group spoke of increasing the number of military emergency managers. IAEM hosts an annual emergency management conference where emergency managers can learn from their peers and meet fellow emergency managers from government, private industry, and all military services. Companion Sumner Hunnewell recently represented Missouri at the Mayflower Society's General Board of Assistants meeting in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in September. He was also elected into the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati and, with the help of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, I placed a gravestone at his great-greatgrandfather's grave in Maine. In September, he was appointed the Commander of the Missouri Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), and then represented that Commandery in Philadelphia at the MOLLUS annual meeting. In October, Sumner published The 1812 War Cry, the magazine of the Society of the War of 1812, for which he is the editor. Companion Curtis “Manny” Manchester has started a new position as a Dept of the Navy Civilian in the IndoPacific Command J552, after a successful tour with the J9. Upon his departure from the J9, Manny was presented a “Joint Chiefs of Staff Join Commendation Award” medal for his work managing the Command’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) programs. Companion Arthur Tulak was accepted into the Order of Indian Wars of the United States, based on his descent from his 3rd Great Grand Uncle, Private John Nowe Campbell, who served in the War of 1812 fighting the Indians on the frontier, and in the Black Hawk War. PVT Campbell served in Captain Samuel Aston's Company, in the 1st Regiment, Ohio Militia commanded by Col David Sutton. The Regiment’s five companies where stationed along the line at Fort Winchester, Fort Jennings, Fort Meigs, all part of General Harrison's chain of western forts. John served at Fort Winchester. During the Black Hawk War, in Capt Achilles Morris' Company of the 2nd Illinois Regiment of Mounted Volunteers, commanded by Col. James D. Henry in the war against the British Band of Sauk and Fox Indians under chief Black Hawk, in the first campaign of the war in the Summer of 1831 Companion BG Carlos Salgado completed his tour of duty at the Allied Rapid Reacis currently deployed to Iraq as the Chief of Staff of NATO MISSION in IRAQ (Union III - BAGHDAD). Companion Fred Staedel has undertaken the Hawaii Commandery’s project to find Vietnam veterans who have yet to be acknowledged and receive the "50th Anniversary Vietnam Veteran War Commemorative Pin” that recognizes Hawaii veterans with the awarding of the pin and to be accompanied by the Commandery’s Certificate of Recognition signed by the Commandery Commander and the 50th Veteran Committee Chairman.
Feeling left out? Share your news with your fellow Companions!! 12
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4 December (Saturday) Gala event at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum at 7:00 p.m. This is being offered online at www.ForLoveOfCountryGala.org or on K5 for an evening of celebrity tributes and wonderful stories to commemorate 80 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor. 5 December (Sunday): Movie at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum at 1:00 p.m. The World War II Foundation’s newest film, “Elvis and the USS Arizona” to learn more about how the memorial came to life. Visit the website to learn more https://www.pearlharboraviationmuseum.org/news-events/#events 5 December: Ewa Battlefield 80th Anniversary 0900-1000 ceremony. Access to the site is controlled—those attending should report to the Secretary for coordination with the host organization, the AMVETS. 7 December, 80th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. 0745 at Kilo Pier, Joint Base Pearl Harbor. Invitation only— not open to the public. the DVIDS webcast for the 80th Commemoration ceremony: https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/27510 7 December, 25th Infantry Division commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the United States Army's actions on December 7th, 1941. 1500 hrs at Fort DeRussy, U.S. Army Museum 2131 Kalia Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. 7 December, Pearl Harbor Day Parade in Waikiki. The VFW and Vietnam Veterans of America participate in this parade, organized by Historic Programs. The parade starts at 1800 hrs proceeding along Kalakaua ave to Monserrat St at Kapiolani Park, following a ceremony at Fort DeRussy on Kuroda Field across from the Hale Koa Hotel that starts at 1630. 7 December, Pearl Harbor commemoration at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe—Details TBD. 11 December, 1000 hrs. MOFW and MOWW Christmas Brunch at the Pagoda Floating Restaurant , 1525 Rycroft St, Honolulu, HI 96814 . Send RSVP to the Secretary to confirm your seat, as space is limited. 21 January 2022, Quarterly meeting of the Hawaii Commandery, 1700 hrs at Sunset Lanai, Camp Smith, HI. 29 March 2022, National Vietnam War Veterans Day parade organized by Hawaii Historic Programs. 29 March 2022, National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Details pending. 25 April, ANZAC Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Details TBD.
Hawaii Commandery, Military Order of Foreign Wars A non-profit 501 (c) 3 Veterans Organization Oahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila St. Honolulu Hawaii, 96818
Mahalo to our 2021 Sponsors:
Hawaii Chapter, Association of the United States Army 13
