THE Military Order of Foreign Wars Hawaii Commandery
Vol. III, Issue 2, August 21, 2014
Commander’s Comments. Aloha Companions and Commandery Supporters! A big Mahalo to all our volunteer presenters at the ROTC/JROTC and Youth ChalleNGe Academy awards ceremonies for 2014. Our next awards event is the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol awards banquet in October. As the school year begins here in Hawaii, we look to another year of support to our JROTC. Our Commandery continues to improve its legal and financial standing, all necessary for effective operations We once again accomplished the mission in honoring our war dead on Memorial Day. As we prepare for Veterans Day in November, let us strive to simultaneously improve th our support to the DoD 50 Commemoration of the Vietnam War. I solicit your ideas on how we can support the WWI Centennial. These commemoration efforts enable us to draw attention to the sacrifices of our ancestors and to memorialize their acts of service.
Arthur N. Tulak, COL, U.S. Army, Retired.
Chaplains Corner I count it a privilege and a great opportunity to be able to serve as the Chaplain and fellow Companion for our Commandery. Thank you for taking the time to read this portion of our Newsletter. If you have lived in HI for a while, you may have heard about the existing concerns regarding the homeless situation on some of our Hawaiian Islands, and predominately, the Island of Oahu. Our state presently has the 2nd highest homeless rate in the nation with some 4,700 homeless individuals and families. One out every six homeless is a US veteran (500 in Oahu on any given day)! As the Outreach Coordinator for a National organization which primarily serves homeless
veterans and families, I personally witness how hundreds of our Ohana daily face despair and uncertainty despite the valiant efforts of many to alleviate the pain. Envisioned is a network of city, state, federal and non-profit organizations working together to address the pressing human needs, which alone none can fully meet. The good news I want to share with you is that a recent effort at the grass roots level is developing. Say it is a “Good Samaritan” wind which is beginning to blow; a spirit of good will which is starting to signal better days ahead for many. Some are calling it the Aloha Color Initiative - Moving toward the goal of Homefulness! It has to do with putting color into aloha! We are asking you to join us in prayer for the wellbeing of thousands. Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7). Needed are: • 1000 PARTNERS - Recruit, train and equip residents who share the common goal of bringing homefulness to those living without. • 100 INVESTORS - Partnering with businesses, religious and civil entities, as well as other organizations that strive to keep hundreds of Ohana from falling into a “black hole” of indignity. You can be a part of the solution and a conduit that brings dignity and hope to those in crisis: veterans, families, and others. Call the Aloha Color Initiative for more information. 808 343-9943. Mahalo and blessings,
John C. Molina, Chaplain (LTC), U.S. Army, Retired
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