Hawaii MOFW Commandery News June 2024 by Hawaii Commandery Military Order of Foreign Wars

24 March 1999 to 10 June 1999

Hawaii Commandery Military order of foreign wars Commandery News June 2024 25th Anniversary Kosovo Air War

Commander

’

s Message

Aloha Companions and Friends,

I am proud to be your next Servant Leader. I would like to thank the outgoing commander LTC, Ret. Curtis ‘Manny’ Manchester USA, for all his efforts over the past 4 years. Additionally, I would like to thank our Secretary, COL , Ret. Arthur Tulak USA for his ceaseless dedication. Due to the efforts of these two gentlemen, the Hawaii Commandery has remained viable as an organization and financially strong.

As you may already know, the MOFW has seven (7) stated purposes:

1. Honor and perpetuate the names of brave and loyal men and women.

2. Keep in mind the memory of their martial deeds and the victories which they helped gain.

3. Strengthen the ties of fellowship among the Companions of the Order.

4. Foster the cultivation of military and naval science.

5. Bear true allegiance to the United States of America, based upon a paramount respect for and fidelity to the National Constitution and laws.

6. Aid in maintaining national honor, union and independence.

7. Foster and encourage the study of American History and particularly of American Military History, to the end that the memory of brave men and women may freely be enshrined and that we and our children may learn from the past to formulate sound policies for the present and future.

1. Recruitment. Let every engagement you have be a potential opportunity to talk about the MOFW and bring another Companion into our ranks. Being fiscally sound is a fantastic position to be in, however we need the members and volunteers to support our events and programs. In short, we must grow our numbers to remain viable.

2. Cadet Awards and Youth Programs. Our support to Hawaii’s Youth Challenge, Junior ROTC and ROTC will continue as in previous years. I know all of your time is valuable, but I am specifically requesting your consideration of committing to do an award ceremony inperson as a representative of our Order. COL Ret. Tulak has put forth a herculean effort to make these awards a success for well over a decade; he would welcome some help.

3. Support of Hawaii Patriotic Events. We are a volunteer organization. The standing Oahu events MOFW will support are: Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day, 4th of July and ANZAC Day with our Australian and New Zealand Allies. I hope that each of you again could commit to at least an event and be physically present as and if able. All policies and procedures remain in effect.

Note From the Editor

Our cover recalls the U.S. and NATO Air campaign in the war against Yugoslavia in 1999. The feature article of our June issue of the Commandery News is our 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Cadet Essay Contest, where we publish in full the winning essay submitted by Cadet Isaac Verbrugge of the Punahou H.S. Army JROTC Battalion, 8th Brigade. As with every June issue, we highlight the cadets recognized with the MOFW Silver Academic and Bronze Leadership Medals, along with the volunteers who attend the ceremonies to present the medals in-person.

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1 Vol. XIII, Issue 2, June 2024

Deus et Libertas, LTC (R) Daniel J. Curtis, USA

Chaplains Corner

By Fred Staedel, Th.D.

Due to the travails of life, it seems difficult at times to remain happy. Also, at times happiness seems allusive and hard to maintain even for periods of time. So, let us ask where true happiness comes from? Does it come from others? Yes, sometimes. Does it come from within ourselves? Let us hope so. But where does true and sustainable happiness really come from? It can come from knowing that if we are grateful and “rejoice” in the knowledge that we are all God’s children inheriting God’s grace then our gift is happiness. Once again, the Bible gives us an answer that we can elect to adopt. Philippians 4:4 tells us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!” And from The Good News: “The only source of true happiness is the Lord.”

So, do we turn to our God and pray for true happiness? Why not? If it is true that true happiness comes from the Lord God or any God that one wishes to worship within one’s own religious faith, then turning thought away from oneself and turning to a higher power, a spiritual power in prayer, then such raising of one’s consciousness outside of oneself can result in not only a happy moment, but such prayerful thinking can result in happiness throughout one’s life. When we are sad, we can pray. When we need hope, we can pray. When we need wisdom, we can pray. So, when we need happiness in our lives, we can also pray.

Psalms 144:15 is tell us, “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” And from The Good News: “God is the true source of happiness, strength, hope, and wisdom.”

Note From the Secretary

Mahalo to all those who renewed their memberships. Commandery membership cards will be sent out to all Companions in good standing.

Commandery elections were conducted on-line using election software provided by ‘Election Runner” to ensure confidentiality of voter selections and to support tallying. The Voting window opened on 31 MAY and closed 08 JUN. The proposed officer slate received validation from the vote tally and LTC Ret. Dan Curtis is our Commander-Elect. Dan will be sworn in at the next official event or EXCOM meeting, but will assume duties immediately. The officer slate for 2024-2026:

Commander: LTC Ret. Daniel J. Curtis

Vide Commander: vacant

Secretary: COL, Ret. Arthur Tulak

Treasurer: COL, Ret. Arthur Tulak

Quartermaster: Maj, Ret. Ed Green

Chaplain: Lt Col, CAP, Fred Staedel

National Delegate: Col, Ret. David Terrinoni

Genealogist: Adam Gaines

Committee positions are also available by appointment and Companions are invited to serve in the following committees, all currently filled by Past Commander, COL, Ret.

Arthur Tulak:

1. Cadet Awards Committee

2. 50th Vietnam War Committee

3. America 250th Committee

4. Eagle Scout Committee

2024 50th Vietnam War Cadet Essay Contest

By COL, Ret. Arthur N. Tulak, Chair, 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Comm.

This was the 11th and penultimate year of the 50th Vietnam War Cadet Essay Contest, which provides Cadets the opportunity to write an essay for publication in one of 3 categories.

The purpose of the essays is to challenge the JROTC Cadets and CAP Cadets to appreciate the sacrifices made by Vietnam Veterans . Category 1 essays focus on identifying the lessons we can learn from the Vietnam War about the roles and duties of the citizenry to its military in time of war. The focus of this essay topic is on the domestic civilian population during war, and its role in supporting the military during and after wars. Category 2 essays require the Cadet to research the story of a Family ancestor or living relative who served in the military and was deployed in Vietnam as part of the War against Communist aggression alongside our Allies in defense of the free people of the Republic of Vietnam. Document the Veteran’s experience, his/her contribution to the War, and the cost of his or her sacrifice on their family and home community. Category 3 essays require cadets to identify lessons can we learn about duty to country from the families at the home front, who waited for their service members to return from War? The focus of this essay should be on the experiences of the spouses and family members.

The first place essay is published in full in the June edition of the Commandery News, and all the winning essays are shared with other Veterans Organizations in Hawaii and the DoD 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Commission, who will also provide certificates. Winning essayists received a certificate from the Hawaii Commandery MOFW, along with cash prizes from the Commandery, and a certificate from the Hawaii Chapter of Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) who along with the Federal Business Council have provided funds for this program. The top 3 essayists received d these awards at AUSA’S Land Forces in the Pacific (LANPAC) Symposium, which met this year 14-16 May at the Sheraton Hotel in Waikiki. Here are the 2024 contest winners:

1st place Cadet Isaac Verbrugge, Punahou High School Army JROTC Battalion, 8th Brigade, for his essay titled "Reconciling Respect for Military Service and Freedom of Speech during an Unpopular War"

2nd Place Cadet Airman First Class, Maximus Cho, 77th Composite Crusader Squadron, Civil Air Patrol Squadron, for his essay titled "Gratitude Despite Hardship"

3rd Place Cadet CMSgt Cayley Lum, 77th Composite Crusader Squadron, Civil Air Patrol Squadron, for her essay titled: "Our Victories in Humility Through Vietnam,"

Here are some excerpts from the

2nd and 3rd place essays:

2nd Place: Cadet Cho’s essay highlighted the experiences of Mr. J. Logston, who went to Vietnam as an Army Soldier at the age of 18. Here is an excerpt:

“Mr. J. Logston had to give up many freedoms he was accustomed to as a young American stationed in Vietnam for one year. Though one year sounds like a short period of time for most people, one year as a U.S. soldier fighting against the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War is a completely different story. Although the army told Mr. Logston that his main job was to repair generators, he ended up doing very little repairwork. Instead, most of his days were filled with duties of being a helicopter gunner. As an 18 year old draftee, he had to grow up really fast. Mr. Logston described how he missed the simplest conveniences of being an American, as a soldier in the Vietnam War. His main concern when leaving for Vietnam was not being able to help his brothers on the family farm. He also left behind a beautiful fiancée he became engaged to just before leaving. Mr. Logston described that in Vietnam, there were no home cooked meals or dry, “comfy” beds for the soldiers. Most of his days consisted of keeping his head down for fear it would be “blown off” at any given time by enemy fire. His nights consisted of sleeping in a tent in the warm, wet and dangerous tropical jungle, as well as eating poor tasting army rations. Warm food, a dry bed, and the company of family and close friends, are just a few basic luxuries most people, especially members of this younger generation, take for granted. Even just feeling safe when walking down the street, without fear of being shot, is a freedom most members of my generation do not, but should appreciate. The sacrifices made by men and women stationed in Vietnam who risked and in many cases, lost their lives to protect the freedoms and luxuries we all enjoy in the United States, are extremely significant things that this generation needs to better understand. If the members of this generation could grasp even a small bit of understanding for what the Vietnam veterans went through, perhaps, they wouldn’t complain so much about trivial

things like too much schoolwork or slow Wi-Fi. Perhaps they could learn from our veterans to appreciate basic luxuries, like having a home-cooked meal, or being able to throw a ball in the front yard without the fear of being shot.

In third place is Cadet CMSgt Cayley Lum. Here are extracts of her essay:

“After Congress declared war on the Viet Cong, many Americans faced an undeniable truth: The Draft. The new generation of young men were horrified by the possibility of being sent to Vietnam. Unlike their predecessors who had served in WWII, many of these younger men had not grown up with war. Not only that, but the shift in cultural values, from labor jobs to office, also impacted their point of view. .... This caused a divide between the people in the United States. Those men who did not want to go to the war were socially ostracized and criticized for their unmasculine nature and potential for being communist spies. The resulting effect of this was “Draft Avoidance”. Many would burn their draft cards while others fled to Canada While many felt sympathy for our fallen soldiers who risked their lives for their country, there was a large portion of people who sympathized with the Vietnamese people. Many soldiers who came home from the war received backlash for it, regardless of whether they entered voluntarily or not. Anti-war protests arose as civil unrest began [I]n in 1973, President Richard Nixon removed the last of the U.S. troops from Vietnam and called a ceasefire to effectively end America’s involvement in Vietnam. Still, as the Veterans returned home from the war, they were not all welcomed with open arms. Many people still held resentment towards them and refused to acknowledge their service. They remained unappreciative to the great deal of work our service members went through. As civilians, we cannot pretend to know the challenges faced by our veterans who selflessly fought for our country and our people. The disrespect shown to them was unacceptable. There’s a sense of hypocrisy, as the public wanted respect for life when they themselves were unable to respect the living, those who almost died to protect many more lives. “

The 1st and 2nd place cadets received their certificates from GEN Ret. Bob Brown, President of AUSA, and former Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific in front of the main audience. Photos to be posted at: https://www.flickr.com/ photos/ausaorg/albums/ Cadet Lum received her certificates and price check at the assembly of the 77th Crusader Squadron at St. Louis High School on 24 May.

Mahalo to AUSA and FBC, and Congratulations to our Cadet Essayists!

Photo left: Cadet Isaac Verbrugge with parents Neil and Julia Verbrugge Photo center: Cadet Cho with his mother Kate Ly-Cho and grandmother Paula Cho . Photo right: Cadet Caley Lum receives her certificates and prize check at the assembly of the 77th Crusader Composite Squadron at Saint Louis High School.

First Place Essay Cadet Isaac Verbrugge

Punahou High School JROTC, 8th Brigade

“Reconciling Respect for Military Service and Freedom of Speech during an Unpopular War”

How can Americans reconcile the idea of honoring military service with a citizen’s right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution during an unpopular war? Examining the experiences of veterans returning from the Vietnam War as well as the reaction of civilians to support them can help us understand how citizens can act responsibly in expressing their views on foreign policy while still respecting the service members who made sacrifices to serve the country during a war.

More than the grand commanding neoclassical marble columns of the Lincoln Memorial, more than the proud sky-piercing obelisk of the Washington Memorial, more than anything else in our Capitol, I remember the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. When I was only five years old, after a long day walking through the National Mall sightseeing with my parents, I found myself exhausted. Suffocating mid-Atlantic August heat and humidity were weighing down on me with the sun scorching my skin, and I tugged at my Dad to go home. Instead, I found myself being guided by my parents across the sidewalk.

Why can’t I just go home? We already saw the fun stuff! I thought. Only a few seconds passed before I saw the sheen of an immense, glossy “V” shaped black granite wall bordered by a vast field of grass. As we strolled slowly down the sidewalk adjacent to the black wall, a gentle cool breeze picked up and rustled leaves on nearby trees. A cumulous cloud passed overhead temporarily blocking the sun and blanketing the field in shadows. The massive black granite wall stood on, impassively, unbothered by the change of weather, remaining stoic and contemplative. Although I was too young to understand the historical significance of the wall, it was clear that it represented something very important. Tens of thousands of names were engraved into the granite as far as the eye could see. The sheer vastness of the glossy black rock wall mesmerized me, and my Dad’s somber eyes caused me to pause. “Isaac,” he said, “Let’s be quiet and give our respect. Every name on the wall represents someone who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and they may not have received the respect they deserved.”

In respectful silence, we walked down the path until we reached its lowest point. From time to time, we would stop and my Dad would look at the names on the wall. That was the first time I understood the solemn significance of honoring the ultimate sacrifice. It was not until I got older that I truly started to appreciate the depth of service and sacrifice made by the servicemembers whose names are engraved on the wall. U.S. Troops in Vietnam saw approximately six times the combat than in past wars,1 and 57,939 fatalities or MIA statuses. The enormity of the sacrifices made during the Vietnam War cannot be overstated.

For the approximately 2.7 million who served in Vietnam2 and who followed the principles of duty, honor, and country and caring for their fellow servicemembers, no special recognition was demanded during the war. As a Marine officer, my Dad recalls a required reading called Rifleman Dodd (written by C.S. Forester in 1932). Matthew Dodd was a rifleman who fought during the Napoleonic wars. Dodd did not fight for medals or recognition, but instead fought for “honor and duty,” and realized it would be difficult “for a later generation to realize that these abstractions had meant anything.” (Rifleman Dodd, 1932, Chapter 21). Dodd’s simple reward after completing dangerous combat action was a meal and the company of his troops. Similar to Dodd, servicemembers in Vietnam fought for honor and duty and for their fellow servicemembers, not for medals or parades. This, however, does not mean citizens should overlook veterans’ service and sacrifices. Rather, civilians should feel deep gratitude towards veterans for their efforts to defend the nation at home and in distant lands.

1 Stanton, Shelby. The 1st Cav[Elry] in Vietnam: Anatomy of a Division. Novato: Presidio Press, 1999.

2 U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Office of Research & Development, VA Research on Vietnam Veterans, https://www.research.va.gov/ topics/vietnam.cfm.

Recently, I learned my Dad first visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial when he was stationed at Quantico, Virginia. He said he had felt a “great sadness” when first visiting the Memorial because he was aware many of the veterans who died in combat had been forgotten, and those who returned to civilian life were not respected for their service. Many returning veterans, like infantryman Steven A. Wowwk, saw “invectives hurled their way.” 3 Others, like Colonel Peter Langenus, would find the transition back to civilian life incredibly difficult. Although the Colonel spearheaded lengthy combat operations fighting in Vietnam under terrible living conditions, “None of that,” he says, “prepared me for the reception at home upon our return.”

Vietnam Veterans did not seek a ticker tape parade on their return. Instead, they sought basic care for their transition back to civilian life. Many veterans, however, would be unable to receive help; instead, they became victims of a society attempting to ignore its embarrassing past in overseas conflicts. It would seem many veterans, who had experienced combat trials and tribulations civilians would never face, had their post-service issues brushed aside with shamefully small GI benefits, underfunded VA hospitals, and a lack of recognition for their sacrifices. The Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study, published in March 2022, surveyed over 19,000 veterans and showed Vietnam Veterans had “four times the risk of PTSD, nearly double the risk for depression and more than two times the risk of psychological distress [than other veterans].” These differences were even more dramatic when compared to civilians. “[Vietnam-theater Veterans] had more than nine times the risk of PTSD, more than double the risk for depression, and nearly six times the risk of psychological distress.”3 Further, some employers would not hire veterans due to the facetious belief that veterans shared guilt or shame in a violent, failed war.4

In the 1980’s, things finally began to change. Although The Vietnam War had been officially over since 1975, long-deserved recognition of Vietnam Veterans’ service had just begun. In 1981, Yale Student Maya Lin’s design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was selected, and in 1984, The Three Soldiers statue by Frederick Hart was unveiled. PTSD began to become better understood. In 1989, the 100th Congress installed the POW/MIA flag in the US Capitol Rotunda.5 As a member of Punahou’s JROTC unit, in March of 2022, I have a special memory of honoring Vietnam Veterans by participating as a flag carrier in the National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). I was fortunate to meet with veterans who had served in Vietnam. As a gift for attending the service, Vietnam Veterans gifted our JROTC battalion with a beautiful painting illustrating a scene during the Vietnam War. All of these things are great, and their implications that in the modern day, Veterans are seen with immense respect are even greater. However, that doesn’t change the fact that, during the height of the Vietnam War, American civilians did not give due respect to returning service members. In fact, while troops fought relentlessly in Quang Tri, Saigon, Cu Chi, Hanoi, and Hue, civilians back at home not only protested the war and the nation’s foreign policy but also disrespected service members who did not make foreign policy. Citizens self-immolated and far-left communist terrorists bombed and killed U.S. Army Officer Paul Bloomquest.6 Soldiers at the Pentagon Riot of October 21, 1967, were assaulted with“Vegetables, rocks, and bottles.”7 Ironically, the civilians were protesting against the very people who were actively protecting their right to protest. While the fundamental liberties written into our Constitution grant every citizen the right to free speech and assembly, the lessons of the Vietnam War showed us that misguided anger, protest, and assault by citizens against America’s Veterans was unwarranted and irrational. While every citizen has the right to exercise their freedom of free speech and to express disagreement with the policymakers who wield decision-making power over foreign policy, it is not fair to penalize service members. Regardless of a citizen’s personal opinion on war, citizens should be able to value and respect the services and sacrifices of returning veterans.

3 HISTORY. “Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned?,” March 29, 2019. https://www.history.com/news/vietnam-war-veterans-treatment

4 “Study Finds Ongoing Mental Health Concerns for Vietnam Veterans,” March 17, 2022. https://www.research.va.gov/currents/0322-Study-finds-ongoing-mental-health-concerns-for-Vietnam-Veterans.cfm

5 Andersonville, Mailing Address: Andersonville National Historic Site 496 Cemetery Road, and GA 31711“History of the POW/MIA Flag - Andersonville National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service).”

6 “Targeted by Germany’s Red Army Faction – Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training.” Accessed April 15, 2024. https://adst.org/2015/03/targeted-by-germanys-red-army-faction/ https://www.nps.gov/ande/learn/historyculture/history-powmia-flag.htm.

7 Rateshtari, Roya. “U.S. Marshals and the Pentagon Riot of October 21, 1967” June 15, 2020. .https://www.usmarshals.gov/who-we-are/history/historical-reading-room/us-marshals-and-pentagonriot-of-october-21-1967

1. Andersonville, Andersonville National Historic Site 496 Cemetery Road, and GA 31711 Phone: 229 924-0343 Contact Us. “History of the POW/MIA Flag - Andersonville

2. National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service).” Accessed April 15, 2024.

3. https://www.nps.gov/ande/learn/historyculture/history-powmia-flag.htm

4. HISTORY. “Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned?,” March 29, 2019.

5. https://www.history.com/news/vietnam-war-veterans-treatment.

6. Rateshtari, Roya. “U.S. Marshals and the Pentagon Riot of October 21, 1967 | U.S. Marshals Service,” June 15, 2020. https://www.usmarshals.gov/ who-we-are/history/historical-reading-room/us-marshals-and-pentagon-riot-of-october-21-1967

7. Stanton, Shelby. The 1st Cav[Elry] in Vietnam: Anatomy of a Division. Novato: Presidio Press, 1999.

8. “Study Finds Ongoing Mental Health Concerns for Vietnam Veterans,” March 17, 2022. https://www.research.va.gov/currents/0322-Study-findsongoing-mental-health-concerns-for-Vietnam-Veterans.cfm

9. “Targeted by Germany’s Red Army Faction – Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training.” Accessed April 15, 2024. https://adst.org/2015/03/ targeted-by-germanys-red-army-faction/.

10. “Vietnam Veterans,” 2021. https://www.research.va.gov/topics/vietnam.cfm

Photo Left: 1st place essayist Cadet Isaac Verbrugge receives his first place certificate from GEN Bob Brown, USA, Ret, at the AUSA LANPAC Symposium at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel on 16 MAY 202. GEN Brown was formerly the Commanding General of USARPAC before retiring and taking over AUSA.

Photo Below: GEN Charlie Flynn, Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific (and former CG of the 25th Infantry Division) congratulates the 1st and 2nd place essayists.

Bibliography

25th Anniversary Air War against Yugoslavia

By Arthur N. Tulak

This article takes a look back on Operation Allied Force, NATO’s 78-day air war against Yugoslavia that was carried out March 24, 1999 – June 10, 1999 when NATO and the U.S.A. intervened in a Civil War. U.S. and Allied Officer Veterans of this campaign are among our ranks in the MOFW for their honorable service in this war.

This was war of choice for the United States and NATO, as there was no treaty obligation to intervene. The US/ NATO military campaign was a response to the Yugoslavian military operations against secessionist Albanians in Kosovo, part of Yugoslavia, which at that time had been reduced to the republics of Serbia and Montenegro following the secession of other states. Croatia and Slovenia had earlier declared their independence in 1991, which saw the Yugoslav National Army (JNA) launch military operations into Slovenia to prevent secession. The JNA ceased military operations at the direction of the federal government, allowing these states to achieve independence, but Croatia would experience continued internecine fighting. The JNA also carried out military operations in Croatia, with the stated purpose being to protect the Serbian minority from ethnically-motivated attacks. In sending military force to quash secession attempts, Slobodan Milosevic followed the example of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, who launched military operations against the military and civilian populations of the Confederate States when they attempted secession in 1861.

In 1998, violence erupted once again in Kosovo, with the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighting for secession and the establishment of a “Greater Albania” that would include Kosovo, Albania, and parts of North Macedonia.1 The KLA carried out attacks on ethnic Serbs, Roma, and others. As was the case in earlier secessions, Yugoslavia employed force to counter it. As Kosovo was part of Serbia proper, and considered the birth place of the nation, it was to be expected that Yugoslavia would employ force to prevent secession. The casus belli (cause for war) for the U.S.A. and NATO was the fighting against the Kosovar Albanians in Kosovo.2 The NATO military intervention in Kosovo, which was criticized by many as a violation of the prohibition of the use of force under the Westphalian concept of sovereignty, saw NATO siding with the Kosovar Albanians and cooperating with their forces on the ground against the JNA.

During the NATO-Yugoslavia War, KLA forces on the ground would make contact with Serbian and Yugoslav troops and relay their positions to NATO, enabling NATO air strikes to be more effective. At this time, the KLA was considered by the U.S.A. and others to be a terrorist organization. In the words of Robert Gelbard, America's special envoy to Bosnia: "We condemn very strongly terrorist actions in Kosovo. The UCK [KLA] is, without any questions, a terrorist group."3 This designation has stood for many years with U.S. House of Representatives considering a resolution to remove this designation in 2015, which was not passed. According to NY Times reporter Chris Hedges, “the Kosovo Liberation Army "began on the radical fringe of Kosovar Albanian politics, originally made up of diehard Marxist-Leninists (who were bankrolled in the old days by the Stalinist dictatorship next door in Albania).”4 The KLA’s ethnic terrorist operations began in February 1996 with the bombing of several refugee camps housing Serbians who sought refuge from the wars in Croatia and Bosnia.5

Congress approved the war on March 24, 1999, mere hours before the first bombs fell on Yugoslavian targets. The Senate voted 58 to 41 (with 38 Republicans voting to oppose) to authorize air and missile strikes against Yugoslavia (S. Con. Res. 21). The Senate then approved by voice vote a second resolution expressing support for members of the U.S. Armed Forces engaged in military operations against Yugoslavia (S. Res. 74).6 With the U.S. and NATO now at war with Yugoslavia, the JNA intensified its military operations against Kosovo separatists. The U.S. and NATO had limited their operations to air power only, but retained the option of a ground invasion following the deployment of forces into theater which included the 32,000 man NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) conducting peace operations in BosniaHerzegovina, and an additional 7,500 NATO troops in Albania which could support a ground invasion into Yugoslavia.7 Following the start of the Air Campaign, NATO troops on the border with Macedonia (part of an 8,000 man force deployed there) shifted from peacekeeping to tactical military operations.8 The troops in Albania were tasked to improve roads to enable movement into Yugoslavia for a land invasion, which would have included the Abrams M-1 tanks. This was no easy task, and the 3,000 U.S. soldiers at Task Force Hawk’s base camp at the Tirana airport, called their camp “Mud City, Albania.”9

In making the case for military operations to the International Community, the air campaign was officially justified as a “humanitarian intervention.” The NATO bombing campaign is sometimes referred to as a "humanitarian war" with NATO’s justification being the need to end the humanitarian crisis involving the large outflow of Kosovar Albanian refugees caused by Yugoslav forces military operations. Critics of the campaign ironically referred to it as "humanitarian bombing." Accusations of genocide were used by policy-makers in the United States and Europe to legally justify the campaign on the basis of "humanitarian law", allowing for intervention in situations where large scale human rights violations are occurring. Indeed, following the war, the UN established this principle in 2001 via the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (ICISS), set up by the Canadian Government, issuing a report entitled The Responsibility to Protect.10

An event during the bombing of Belgrade that continues to have international security reverberations today was the U.S. B2 bomber strike against the embassy of Communist China, where 3 JDAMs killed three Communist Chinese intelligence agents, and another 27 people were wounded. The intended target was the Federal Directory for Supply and Procurement in Belgrade.

The B-2s in this attack were from 509th Bomb Wing (BW), which fired the first shots of Operation Allied Force (OAF) over Yugoslavia. The air campaign was expected to produce results, but NATO underestimated Yugoslavian resolve to fight back. The precision strike against the CHICOM embassy was carried out six weeks after the start of the campaign. The B2 crews and the JDAMs performed perfectly and hit their aimpoints.11 The aimpoints were provided by the CIA, who reported that they had out-of-date information on the location of the CHICOM embassy. Secretary-General Javier Solana went public to explain “We recognized that this is a mistake, and this is a mistake that we regret."12 China, however, called the attack on its embassy a "crime of war," while Russian President Boris Yeltsin called the bombing "an act of vandalism" and a "flagrant violation of international law." 13

China quickly denounced the attack and tonight called an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, which convened just before midnight.14 The bombing was a mistake for which the U.S. Government and NATO offered sincere apologies, but the Chinese Communist Government whipped up anger and resentment in its population, leading to attacks against the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, which were not controlled by the local police and resulted in millions of dollars in damage.

The 25th anniversary of the ‘humiliating’ air strike is marked with a promise from Xi Jinping that it will never be forgotten. The air strike was also catalyst for Chinese military modernization and a more hostile and outward-facing foreign policy.15 A retired PLA Colonel, Liu Mingfu, who was known for his hardline views of the US, used the accidental bombing as proof that the US was engaged in a “new Cold War against China.”16 The Chinese Communist Party whipped their citizens into a frenzy and encouraged them to carry out attacks against Americans and American institutions. Large crowds attacked the U.S. Embassy causing millions of dollars of damage over days of unrestrained attacks. China would receive $28m in compensation from the US for the bombing, but had to give back close to $3m for the damage to US diplomatic property in Beijing and elsewhere caused by protesters who stormed the diplomatic district, and pelted stones, paint, eggs and concrete at the British and American embassies in the aftermath of the bombing. The US paid another $4.5m to the families of the dead and injured.17

The aftermath of the strike on the embassy of Communist China in Sarajevo. The JDAMs performed as designed at the provided target coordinates Coordinates 44.8250°N 20.4190°E The battered seal of the US Embassy in Peking, attacked by crowds encouraged by the Chinese Communist Party and abetted by police who stood back and watched the carnage.

Wars have consequences.

Fast forward to the present where Xi Xing Ping, Chairman of the Military Committee and Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party was hosted by the Serbian government to remember the embassy bombing and to highlight the strong relations between Communist China and Serbia. NATO is still seen as an aggressor uninterested in the ethnic Serbs still in Kosovo. One year ago, Serbia's army commander urged NATO peacekeepers and other international bodies on Friday to step up measures to protect minority Serbs in Kosovo, adding that "the international community is not fulfilling its obligations."18 “Mojsilovic's statement came hours after Kosovo's own soldiers marched through the southern Albanian part of the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, where ethnic Serbs make up the majority in the north. Mojsilovic in a rare public address said he had asked NATO peacekeeping mission KFOR and other international bodies “to undertake urgent measures to protect ethnic Serbs there,” and when Serbia asked NATO in January to allow its troops to enter Kosovo to protect the Serbs living there, the request was denied.19

On May 7th, ahead of a State Visit to Serbia, Xi Xinping, Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Military Committee, referred to the bombing saying that “twenty-five years ago today, NATO flagrantly bombed the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia, killing three Chinese...This we should never forget,” Xi then turned to current events addressing his Serbian hosts and the world on national sovereignty drawing connections to Serbia and Kosovo and Communist China’s claims on Taiwan by saying “Kosovo is Serbia Taiwan is China.”20 The War put China on guard against the United States and NATO, strained relations with the U.S. over the embassy bombing, and provided China the opportunity to expand its influence in Europe. Communist China has emerged as Serbia’s largest provider of foreign direct investment and its second-largest trading partner after the European Union.21 Communist China has backed Belgrade’s efforts to counter the Western-backed push for independence in Kosovo, a province of Serbia before the war. “In return, Serbia has been a loyal ally to Beijing and has opened its doors without restraint to billions of dollars of Chinese investment, even as it formally seeks EU membership.”22

Was it a Just War? Was it a Success? What are the lasting implications for our current security environment?

This War of Choice was roundly criticized by conservatives and realists. Writing for Foreign Affairs, Michael Mandelbaum argued that it was “a perfect failure.”23 The Chairman of the CATO institute commented in 1999 that”

“[T]he U.S.-led NATO bombing campaign undermined the fragile basis for a rule of law among nations. President Clinton initiated the bombing campaign without authority from Congress, the NATO Charter, or the UN Security Council. Although Congress has acquiesced to many prior U.S. military actions without a declaration of war, in this case there was no dramatic provocative incident no invasion of an allied or neutral country, no attack on U.S. forces, no bombing of a U.S. embassy. The Serbian forces had been engaged in a brutal and sometimes indiscriminate campaign to suppress an internal insurrection by the Kosovo Liberation Army, but the State Department had properly described the KLA as a terrorist organization until shortly before the NATO bombing campaign...Moreover, NATO was established as a defensive alliance; its charter does not authorize out‐of‐area offensive actions. And our occasional practice of end‐running the UN Security Council only reenforces the impression that the U.S. government does not regard itself as bound by the UN Charter.”24

Writing for the Duke University Press, Dimitri Danilov discussed the norms that were disregarded and the risks to the emerging security establishment following the dissolution of the former Soviet Union:

With respect to Kosovo in 1999, NATO basically refused to follow the established basic model of peacemaking in Europe, having launched its own military operation in Yugoslavia. Such a scenario fundamentally changed the situation, and the NATO operation became a significant factor in the erosion of the European security system. This is exactly the interpretation that was given by Moscow.25

Critics of the Clinton Administration note that the U.S. was pulled into a war of choice in opposition to our own interests, and were “suckered” into choosing to side with secessionist terrorists.

“The KLA's guerrilla campaign was a deliberate attempt to provoke Belgrade into reprisals that would attract the West's attention. Knowing it could not defeat Yugoslavia without NATO's military support, the KLA waged a nasty insurgency that included assassinations of Serbian political and military officials. The KLA calculated accurately that a violent Yugoslav retaliation would pressure Washington and its allies to intervene. Although U.S. intelligence warned the Clinton administration of the KLA's intentions, Clinton and his advisers took the bait: Washington placed the blame for events in Kosovo on Belgrade and absolved the KLA.”26

Writing for the Wilson Center on the cost in lives, Aleksa Djilas observed:

Around two thousand civilians were killed - a figure most often quoted locally and probably realistic There is more agreement about the number of Serbian soldiers (both in the military service and the reservists) and policemen killed - seven hundred and two hundred respectively. The material damages are between thirty and fifty billion dollars. As a result, Serbia, which had been poor, became even poorer, unemployment increased and wages decreased.27

With the passage of time and the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that wars of choice, that is optional wars, should not be entered into lightly a maxim that every military professional would agree with. The US/NATO War on Yugoslavia resulted in its complete dissolution and set the stage for increased Russian and Communist Chinese influence in Eastern Europe. The NATO Air War on Yugoslavia offers us on its 25th Anniversary an opportunity to learn from strategicallyflawed wars, even when we emerge as the victors.

ENDNOTES

1. Encyclopedia Britannica online. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kosovo-Liberation-Army

2. The United Nations, Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/aboutresponsibility-to-protect.shtml

3. Michel Chossudovsky, Professor of Economies, University of Ottowa, Ontario Canada, “Kosovo ‘Freedom Fighters’ Financed by Organized Crime,” Peace Research, Vol. 31, No. 2 (May 1999), pp. 29-42 (14 pages), https://www.jstor.org/stable/23607667

4. Chris Hedges, March 28, 1999, The World: Fog of War Coping With the Truth About Friend and Foe; Victims Not Quite Innocent,” The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/28/weekinreview/world-fog-war-coping-with-truth-about-friend-foe-victims-not-quiteinnocent.html

5. Jane's Intelligence Review, October 1, 1996, cited in United States Senate Republican Policy Committee, March 31, 1999, The Kosovo Liberation Army: Does Clinton Policy Support Group with Terror, Drug Ties? From 'Terrorists' to 'Partners' https://irp.fas.org/world/para/docs/ fr033199.htm

6. United States Senate Republican Policy Committee, March 31, 1999, The Kosovo Liberation Army: Does Clinton Policy Support Group with Terror, Drug Ties? From 'Terrorists' to 'Partners' https://irp.fas.org/world/para/docs/fr033199.htm

7. Benjamin S. Lambeth, “NATO’s air war for Kosovo : a strategic and operational assessment,” the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica CA. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1365/RAND_MR1365.pdf

8. Ibid.

9. Marion Callahan, “Mud City, Albania” STARS AND STRIPES, April 23, 2024, “Covering the war: Reporters share their experiences from the Balkans” https://www.stripes.com/history/2024-04-23/kosovo-albania-macedonia-reporter-notebook-1999-13626051.html

10. Benjamin S. Lambeth, “NATO’s air war for Kosovo : a strategic and operational assessment,” the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica CA. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1365/RAND_MR1365.pdf

11. Dario Leone, “The Night USAF B-2A Spirits Bombed Chinese Embassy in Belgrade,” The Aviation Geek Club. https://theaviationgeekclub.com/ the-night-usaf-b-2a-spirits-bombed-chinese-embassy-in-belgrade/

12. CNN, NATO says Yugoslav campaign will continue, May 8, 1999, http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9905/08/kosovo.02/

13. Ibid.

14. Steven Lee Myers, May 8, 1999, “Crisis In The Balkans: The Overview; NATO Raid Hits China Embassy; Beijing Cites 'Barbarian Act'; Allies Admit Striking Hospital,” The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/08/world/crisis-balkans-overview-nato-raid-hits-chinaembassy-beijing-cites-barbarian-act.html

15. Liu Zhen, 9 May 2024, “How the 1999 Belgrade embassy bombing by US was a ‘wake-up’ call for China” South China Morning Post. https:// www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3261878/how-1999-belgrade-embassy-bombing-us-was-wake-call-china 16. Ibid.

17. Dario Leone, op. cit.

18. Reuters, “Serbia Army chief urges NATO, international agencies to protect Kosovo Serbs,” June 6, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/ europe/serbia-army-chief-urges-nato-international-agencies-protect-kosovo-serbs-2023-06-23/

19. Ibid.

20. Joe Leahy and Marton Dunai, MAY 6 2024 , Financial Times, “Xi Jinping lashes out at Nato over 1999 Belgrade bombing ahead of Serbia visit,” 21. Jovana Gec and Dusan Stojanovic, May 7, 2024, Associated Press, “Xi begins Serbia visit on the 25th anniversary of NATO’s bombing of the Chinese Embassy,” https://apnews.com/article/serbia-china-nato-bombing-embassy-5b13db499f39721faf9c82b9f88f4dfa 22. Ibid.

23. By Michael Mandelbau. September 1, 1999, “A Perfect Failure: NATO’s War Against Yugoslavia,” Foreign Affairs magazine. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/1999-09-01/perfect-failure

24. William A. Niskanen, CATO Institute, September 1999, POLICY REPORT: Chairman’s Message: “Bombing Serbia Was WRONG” https:// www.cato.org/policy-report/september/october-1999/chairmans-message-bombing-serbia-was-wrong

25. Dimitri Danilov, Implications of the NATO Attack against Yugoslavia for European Security and Russian-Western Relations, Mediterranean Quarterly, Volume 10, Number 3, Summer 1999Duke University Press. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/20764

26. Christopher Layne and Benjamin Schwarz, March 26, 2000, “WAS IT A MISTAKE? We Were Suckers For the KLA,” The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/2000-03/26/081r-032600-idx.html

27. Aleksa Djilas, “Nov. 17, 2000, The Wilson Center, ‘Bombing to Bring Peace,“ https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/220-bombing-to-bring -peace

Cadet Awards Program Report

By Arthur N. Tulak, Cadet Awards Chairman

The Commandery provided 52 medals to JROTC units and another 6 medals to the 3 ROTC programs at University of Hawaii, for a total of 58. Mahalo to Commandery volunteers who presented this year.

The Commandery also recognizes the active-duty and retired Officers and Warrant Officers from USINDOPACOM and the Joint Intel Operations Center who volunteered to present medals this year:

• LTC Ret. Roy ‘Kimo’ Sabalboro who presented at Farrington H.S. ;

• CDR Kimberly A Miyaguchi, USN, DIA (Punahou).

• LT Christopher Box, (OIC N79/N77/N72, Surface Warfare Schools Command (SWSC), Engineering Learning Site Pearl Harbor) at Kalaheo NJROTC.

• LTC Ret. Cindy Glenister, USINDOPACOM J39 at Kapolei MCJROTC.

• LT Lanelle E. Hawthorne, USN, CSOJTF at Kapaa and Waimea JROTC.

• COL Tom Farrell at Hilo JROTC.

Commander-Elect Dan Curtis set the example covering 3 different schools and presenting for 4 different organizations, to include the Association of the U.S. Army, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

above: Commander Manchester presenting tat the UH Army ROTC awards banquet at the Pacific Aviation Museum at Ford Island with LTC Jarrod Melander, the UH Army ROTC Professor of Military Science looking on. Photo below: Ed Green presents the MOFW leadership excellence medals to Civil Air Patrol Cadets.

Photo

Photos above Left: LTC Curtis presenting The MOFW (Academics) to Cadet Georgette Viernes and (Leadership) to C/CPT Wu at Mckinley HS.

Photos above Right: COL Fred Staedel presenting the MOFW medals at Kaiser AFJROTC (names of cadets not recorded). Photo bello Left: LTC Dan Curtis at Waipahu JROTC presenting the Bronze Leadership Medal to Cadet Renz Calabong, and the academic medal to Emma Zaldivar. Below

Right: COL Tulak presenting the MOFW Silver and Bronze medals at Aiea High School to Cadet Mason Juan.. Bottom left: Dan Curtis at Kahuku, presenting the Academic to C/CPL Osuusu Solunga and Leadership to C/SFC Barenba Hanohano.

We received a Thank You card from C/TSgt Allin Braja at Kaiser AFJROTC who received the Bronze Leadership Excellence Medal. “I really appreciate the members of the MOFW, not only for their support for young leaders such as myself, but also for their dedication to their purpose of keeping military traditions alive and dedication to service. Cadet Braja’s card included the hand drawing at right. Congratulations to all the exceptional cadets of 2024.

Commandery Participates in ANZAC Day 2024

By Companion Arthur Tulak

This year was the 31st commemoration of ANZAC Day in Hawaii. ANZAC Day ceremonies are held across the globe annually. The Australian Dept., of Veterans’ Affairs for example manages ANZAC Day services in Turkey, France, Thailand, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. 1 This event reminds us of the importance of our Allies in the Indo-Pacific with roots back to the First World War. ANZAC Day traditions include attending a Dawn Service, baking and eating ANZAC biscuits (cookies) and a ‘gunfire breakfast.” The Dawn Service is traditionally held at 4.30 a.m., which is “about the time men of the ANZAC approached the Gallipoli beach. However, the origin is the traditional ‘stand-to’, in which troops would be woken so that by the first rays of dawn they were in position and alert, in case of an enemy attack in the eerie half-light.”2 Following the Dawn Service is the Gunfire Breakfast, which came from the British tradition of serving a hot cup of tea to troops in the morning before going on first parade, whenever possible.3

Opening welcome remarks were delivered by the Australian Consul-Generals of Australia and New Zealand, Ms. Chantelle Taylor and Mr. Mike Ketchen, respectively. The commemorative address was delivered by Major General Scott Winter, AM, Deputy Commanding General for Strategy and Plans, U.S. Army Pacific. This was followed by the solemn wreath laying ceremony with the Consular Corps of 9 nations4 among the 30 presentations. Among this number were also the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawaii, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and her component commands of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Forces, the 14th District of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Commandery was one of 6 Veteran Organizations to present wreaths. I was honored to represent the Commandery this year for the wreath presentation. Companion Manchester presented for the Captain Gaylord Dillingham Memorial Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars, of which he took command last December.

Foot Notes:

1. Courtney Adams, RSL Queensland Magazaine, https:// rslqld.org/news/queensland-rsl-news

2. David Watt, Foreign Affairs Defence and Security, March 31, 207, “Anzac Day traditions and rituals: a quick guide,” https:// www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/ Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1617/Quick_Guides/TraditionsRituals 3. Ibid.

3. Representatives of the Consular Corps of Hawaii included the Dean, Ms. Annie Kaneshiro, and the Consul Generals, or Honorary Consul Generals of Japan, Korea, Marshall Islands, Palau, Philippines, and the United Kingdom.

Photo bottom right: Companions Arthur Tulak and Curtis Manny’ Manchester, standing behind the MOFW and MOWW wreaths at the conclusion of the ceremonies. Photo U.S. Marines with the Headquarters battalion, marine Corps Base Hawaii Color Guard and the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division present arms Photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

Commandery Observes Memorial Day 2024

Companions Manchester, Staedel and Tulak volunteered to represent the Commandery at the three main ceremonies this Memorial Day to render honors to those who died in active service in combat. The first of these was held Sunday, 26 March at the WWI Memorial and Natatorium in Waikiki, hosted by the Friends of the Natatorium. Companion, and Commandery Chaplain Fred Staedel rendered honors to all U.S. Service Members who perished in WWI and those whose names are inscribed on the honor stone facing the ocean. Here is Fred’s report of the event:

The "Friends of the Natatorium" held the annual Natatorium Memorial Day Celebration commemorating the WWI servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for our country freedom. The guest speakers were Sara Fairchild from the Outrigger Duke Kahananmoku Foundation emphasizing the importance to “Never Forget” the sacrifice of World War One warriors and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda underscoring the importance of being grateful for Hawaii and the special place it is as the gathering place for all peoples. Representing our Oahu Commandery was Commandery Chaplain Fred Staedel who rendered our commandery's respects at the WWI Memorial Rock. Also in attendance was Halau Lilia Makanoe performing hula, the Celtic Ruler Pipe Band Hawaii, the Joint Service Color Guard, and other groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, the VMU-a Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Young Marines of Pyramid Rock, and the American Legion Riders.

Companion and Commandery Secretary Arthur Tulak presented the wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The planning and execution of this event continues to improve, and the event went like clockwork. The keynote speaker was Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, who previously served as the Pacific Command J3 starting in 2018. ADM Koehler shared the story of RADM Gordon Chung-Hoon, after whom a USN Destroyer is named, in recognition of May being Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Gold Star families in attendance were also honored, and over twenty stood when asked to be recognized. The music provided by the Royal Hawaiian Band, the Sounds of Aloha Choir was perfect for the occasion. This ceremony provides a great opportunity to catch up with fellow veterans from other organizations, and I chatted with the stalwart volunteers of AMVETS, VFW, Purple Heart, Navy League, and others.

Commander Curtis Manchester volunteered for the parade of flags and presentation of lei at the Governor’s ceremony. This event takes place at the Hawaii

Photo top: Fred Staedel at the Memorial Day observance at the WWI Memorial and Natatorium on 26 May.

Photo middle: Companion Arthur with Ron Schaedel, the Commander of VFW Post 10276 and CMSgt Stan Fernandez of Post 10276.The

Photo bottom. Commander Manchester with MG Kenneth Hara, Adjutant General of the Hawaii National Guard.

Commandery Operations

Commandery

conducts Joint

with VFW Post 8616

Poppy Appeal

The Commandery once again partnered with VFW Post 8616 to distribute poppies to the active duty personnel at Camp Smit on 23 and 24 May ahead of Memorial Day. This was also an opportunity to inform active, reserve, and retired Officers and Warrant Officers of their eligibility to join the Order. Proceeds of donations were split evenly between the two organizations, and we are looking forward to another successful poppy appeal ahead of Veterans Day.

Photo Right: Manning the table on 24 May are Yevonne Geesey from the Auxiliary of VFW Post 8616 and Arthur Tulak of the Hawaii Commandery outside the Marine Exchange at Camp H.M. Smith.

Commandery Meetings

The Commandery EXCOM met on 20 May 2024 at Mangiamo’s 604 Restaurant, overlooking the Navy-Marine Golf Course. In attendance were Companions Curtis, Garcia, Manchester, Staedel, and Tulak. The EXCOM finalized plans for Memorial Day, conducted an AAR of this year’s Cadet Awards, the poppy appeal, and preparation for the Youth Challenge Academy awards to be held June 14th.

Companions from Left to Right at the 20 May EXCOM: LT Dan Garcia, LTC Dan Curtis, LTC ‘Manny’ Manchester, Lt Col CAP Fred Staedel, and COL Arthur Tulak.

Companion News

Past Commander, COL, Ret. John Gobrick, participated in Memorial Day observances in Fayetteville North Carolina, as an honored speaker for the event. Here is his report:

“So honored and privileged to speak at the Hope Mills Memorial Day Ceremony today!! We owe our freedom to all of those service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. As an additional honor was able to get 2 of my boys pictured with the last surviving Korean War POW. Freedom is not free.”

Upcoming events:

• 4-7 June 81st Commemoration of the Battle of Midway. Ceremony at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visit or Center on 4 June.

• 6 June — 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion of Europe

• 14 June Army Birthday, This year’s official Army Birthday Theme is “Honoring the past, Defending the Future”.

• 14 June—Flag Day.

• 14 June —Youth Challenge Academy Graduation, 1800hrs, Thomas Moffat Waikiki Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815

• 22 June Monthly meeting of the Oahu Veterans Council

• 23 June United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 85th Birthday

• 25 June 74th Anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

• 27 June— PTSD Awareness Day

• 4 July— Independence Day

• 21 July —94th Anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Administration. July 21, 1930.

• 25 July— Hire a Veteran Day

• 29 July— 249th Anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps (1775).

• 4 August— 234th Birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1790.

• 7 August Purple Heart Day – A time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice.

• 18 September 77th Birthday of the U.S. Air Force, est. September 18, 1947

Hawaii Commandery, Military Order of Foreign Wars

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