Sam Slom

Every once in awhile state government in Hawaii gets it right. Today was one of those days. Hawaii honored our war dead in a fitting tribute to their sacrifices.

At 10 a.m., April 18, 2006, in the House Chamber in the State Capitol, a joint session of the Senate and House convened in order to recognize Hawaii heroes in the War on Terrorism. Men and women — 120 in all — from Hawaii military units (but not all from Hawaii), killed in the Middle East, between March 29, 2003 and February 9, 2006, were honored.

The Governor and Legislature invited family members to the Capitol in order to present them with the newly created Hawaii Medal of Honor.

The presentation was an outgrowth of Act 21, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, which provided for a Hawaii Medal of Honor, and House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 329, adopted on March 22, 2006, to recognize the families.

So it was that hundreds of people came together, with standing room only in the gallery. In addition to the state representatives and senators, there were the families and friends of the fallen, military brass and members of all the armed forces, community leaders, the governor, U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka and U.S. Rep. Ed Case, and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona. The bipartisan planning committee did an exemplary job in pulling it all together.

At the podium were Gov. Linda Lingle, House Speaker Calvin Say, Senate President Robert Bunda and Major General Robert G. F. Lee. All spoke, but it was a time for to acknowledge Hawaii's military members and their sacrifices, not political posturing, and it came across that way. Former Miss Hawaii, Traci Toguchi, sang the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaii Ponoi while Ray Ganotise presented a Hawaiian chant and prayer.

The Governor, who is at her best with ordinary people, especially one-on-one, appreciated and comforted the many family guests. Unfortunately, she has had increasing experience at military funerals and military family events and says the most appropriate things under the solemn circumstance. For her this is a total commitment, even spending Thanksgiving last year with the family of a Hawaii soldier killed in Iraq. She spoke of "Ohana," and the fact that while not all of the fallen were from Hawaii, Hawaii embraced them as part of our family and sincerely appreciated their sacrifice. This resonated well with the relatives from the Mainland.

Speaker Say reminded us the greatest gift from these men and women is the continuation of freedom, and understood, as a parent, what it must mean to lose a son or daughter. President Bunda, a war veteran, told us the best way to honor past sacrifices was to live and practice our freedom.

There was hardly a dry eye in the Chamber, from the politicians, to the hardened Marines, to the families. After a few of the many children in the gallery became silent, there was not a sound to be heard. The House Chief Clerk, Patricia Mau-Shimizu, began reading the names of the fallen who had family representatives present Hers was not an easy task but she did it flawlessly. A Navy man rang the ship's bell after each name.

A family member—wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, father, brother, uncle, cousin—or a friend, came up to the podium, received a hug from the Governor, Speaker, President and General, and received the medal, then walked a line with other dignitaries. Several had small children with them. A poignant moment was watching some of the youngest children playing quietly with each other on the House carpet, smiling, and holding their father's encased medal.

This ceremony shows clearly that there are many faces and individual achievements behind the stark casualty names and numbers alone. It also shows that elected officials are capable of rising above politics for a greater purpose, if even only briefly.

The ceremony ended with the reading of names of those who did not have a family member or friend present, a 21-gun salute outside in the Capitol Rotunda, and the playing of taps. It was at this point, that many of the family members seated on the House floor, gave in to their emotions. Tears flowed like recent Hawaii floodwaters and loud crying could be heard. It was part of their closure and letting go. That they felt comfortable enough to be with their Ohana in a public place is a testament to the positive outcome of this event.

To be fair, there was some criticism leveled at the event. Former veterans questioned whether the families should be brought into the public limelight to share their private grieving. Whether retired military should wear their uniform at this type of event. The taking of a photograph of each family member with their award and those at the podium was questioned also. But in the end, family and friends, from Hawaii and the Mainland expressed their gratitude.

The Hawaii Medal of Honor was designed by Sergeant First Class Aaron Pollick from the Hawaii Army National Guard. The medal is symbolic and consists of six components superimposed on each other: Circle of Kalo Leaves (which represents the family or Ohana); Coat of Arms; Maltese Cross; Sun Rays; The Neck Drape, and Service Ribbon & Attachment.

HCR 329 says in part, "The People of the State of Hawaii are grateful and saddened by the loss of each armed forces member and stand by the surviving family members in support and with aloha." "The Legislature, on behalf of the People of the State of Hawaii, honors and remembers the sacrifice of these armed forces heroes with ties to Hawaii who fought and died bravely for the United States of America, and sends its heartfelt appreciation and sympathy to surviving family members."

Quite a heartfelt leap forward from the same Legislature that several years ago passed an "Aloha to Saddam" resolution.

HAWAII MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

This list was compiled by Rep. K. Mark Takai and is current as of Feb. 28, 2006. The order of listing is by date of death.

Sgt. Eugene Williams

Staff Sgt. Cameron B. Sarno

Chief Warrant Officer Sharon Swartworth

Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Bolor

2nd Lt. Jeremy Wolfe

Chief Warrant Officer Ian D. Manuel

Pfc. Ernest H. Sutphin

Pfc. John D. Amos II

Staff Sgt. Oscar D. Medina

Spc. Ramon C. Ojeda

Spc. Philip L. Witkowski

Staff Sgt. Todd E. Nunes

Cpl. David M. Fraise

Spc. Joseph F. Herndon II

Sgt. Daniel Lee Galvan

Spc. Joseph C. Thibodeaux III

Spc. Wesley R. Wells

Pfc. Joshua Kuile Paul Titcomb

Pfc. Jeungjin Nikky N. Kim

Spc. Kyle K. Fernandez

Staff Sgt. Brian S. Hobbs

Chief Warrant Officer 3 William I. Brennan

Capt. Christopher B. Johnson

Lance Cpl. Richard P. Slocum

Cpl. Billy Gomez

Lance Cpl. Jeremy D. Bow

Lance Cpl. John T. Byrd II

Sgt. Kelley L. Courtney

Lance Cpl. Travis A. Fox

Cpl. Christopher J. Lapka

Pfc. John Lukac

Lance Cpl. Andrew G. Riedel

Lance Cpl. Michael P. Scarborough

Lance Cpl. Aaron C. Pickering

Petty Officer Julian Woods

Lance Cpl. David M. Branning

Lance Cpl. Brian A. Medina

Sgt. Rafael Peralta

Pfc. Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia

Spc. Daniel James McConnell

Lance Cpl. Michael A. Downey

Cpl. Michael R. Cohen

Cpl. Jacob R. Fleischer

Cpl. Dale E. Fracker Jr.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Travis W. Grogan

Lt. Colonel Michael J. McMahon

Spc. Harley D.R. Miller

Lance Cpl. Blake A. Magaoay

Spc. Isaac E. Diaz

Spc. David P. Mahlenbrock

Lance Cpl. Jeffrey S. Blanton

Lance Cpl. Franklin A. Sweger

1st Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe

Staff Sgt. Brian D. Bland

Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Etterling

Sgt. Michael W. Finke Jr.

1st Lt. Travis J. Fuller

Cpl. Timothy M. Gibson

Cpl. Richard A. Gilbert Jr.

Cpl. Kyle J. Grimes

Lance Cpl. Brian C. Hopper

Lance Cpl. Saeed Jafarkhani-Torshizi Jr.

Cpl. Stephen P. Johnson

Cpl. Sean P. Kelly

Lance Cpl. Allan Klein

Cpl. Timothy A. Knight

Lance Cpl. Fred L. Maciel

Cpl. James L. Moore

Cpl. Nathaniel K. Moore

Lance Cpl. Mourad Ragimov

Lance Cpl. Rhonald Dain Rairdan

Lance Cpl. Hector Ramos

Lance Cpl. Gael Saintvil

Lance Cpl. Darrell J. Schumann

Cpl. Nathan A. Shubert

1st Lt. Dustin M. Shumney

Cpl. Matthew R. Smith

Lance Cpl. Joseph B. Spence

Lance Cpl. Michael L. Starr Jr.

Petty Officer 3rd Class John D. House

Pfc. Stephen A. Castellano

Lance Cpl. Sean P. Maher

Spc. Glenn J. Watkins

Sgt. Maj. Barbaralien Banks

Master Sgt. Edwin A. Matos-Colon

Pfc. Kevin S.K. Wessel

Lance Cpl. Nicholas C. Kirven

Cpl. Richard P. Schoener

Sgt. Arnold Duplantier II

Lance Cpl. Kevin B. Joyce

Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy

Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Shane E. Patton

Quartermaster 2nd Class (SEAL) James Suh

Lt. Michael P. Murphy

Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson

Sgt. Deyson K. Cariaga

Staff Sgt. Frank F. Tiai

Spc. Ray Michael Fuhrmann II

Lance Cpl. Phillip C. George

Sgt. Alfredo B. Silva

Spc. Mike T. Sonoda Jr.

SFC Daniel R. Scheile

Sgt. Paul C. Neubauer

Lance Cpl. Steven A. Valdez

Sgt. Jerry L. Bonifacio

Sgt. Evan S. Parker

Capt. Michael J. MacKinnon

Col. William W. Wood

Capt. Raymond D. Hill II

Sgt. Shaker T. Guy

Sgt. Wilgene T. Lieto

Spc. Derence W. Jack

Sgt. Daniel A. Tsue

Sgt. Myla L. Maravillosa

Spc. Marcelino R. Corniel

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ruel M. Garcia

Pvt. Lewis T.D. Calapini

Lance Cpl. Billy D. Brixey Jr.

Petty Officer 3rd Class John T. Fralish

Pfc. Matthew L. Bertolino

Sam Slom is a Republican state Senator representing Hawaii Kai to Diamond Head on Oahu and is the executive director and president of Small Business Hawaii. Reach him via email at mailto:sbh@lava.net

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