Mofw hawaii commandery news december 2015 (2)

Hawaii Commandery THE Military Order of Foreign Wars

December 1, 2015

Table of Contents:

Vol. IV, Issue 5

Chaplains Corner

Commander’s Comments……….…………………………………….. p. 1 Chaplain’s Corner……………………...……………………… …………. p. 1 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War starting Honoring Vietnam Vets at Colors Ceremony ………...….. p. 2 25th Infantry Division Tropic Lightning Week ………..… p. 3 Poppy Appeal …………………….……………..…………………………..p. 5 Mayor’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony ……..……………….p. 6 Governor’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony………………..…p. 7 Neal Blaisdell War Memorial Rededication.………..………… p. 8 Commandery Activities ………………………………………………… p. 9 NAUS News …………………………………………………………………..p. 10 Welcome New Companions ………………………………………….p. 11 PACFLT Band Concert ………………………………………………….. p. 12 Oahu Veterans Center News………………………………………...p. 12 Commandery Future Operations…………………………………. p. 12 Companion News ………………………………………………………… p. 13 Cadet Awards Program………………………………………. ………. p. 13 Hawaii MOFW Joins HI WWI Centennial Task Force……… p. 14 Upcoming Events………………..……………………….……………….p. 15

WHAT VETERANS TEACH US To all our veterans who served honorably—Thank you for your service! A grateful nation salutes you!

Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage are among some of the character qualities Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors consistently bring into the civilian world after their time in service. Veterans teach us much by their lives and by their examples; just take the time to know one of them!

A Marine friend sent me the following reflections he put together upon being told by someone, “You act like veterans are special people.” Like my friend, I also believe that “veterans, with rare exceptions, are honorable, loyal, committed, and understand sacrifice. They bring much to any table” my friend emphasizes.

Front Cover: Photo Commandery Flags at the Biennial Convention, Galveston Texas, 1 May 2015. The Hawaii flag is the second from the left.

1.

HONOR – Samuel Johnson defined honor as “nobility of soul”. It is a way of carrying one’s self, of walking in selfrespect. It is having high expectations of one’s self and it means having a good name. To be a person of honor is to have a high standard, to be a person of integrity, and to conduct one’s self in a blameless manner. It is also to be humble. The concept of honor has been valued throughout time but never more so than in warrior cultures. To live as an honorable person and to die, if need be, an honorable death is not an uncommon attitude among military personnel & veterans

Commander’s Comments.

Aloha!

2.

LOYALTY – The definition of loyalty from King Solomon in Proverbs 20:6 is “trustworthiness.” To be loyal is to be trustworthy. If a friend or spouse is loyal, she or he is worthy of our trust. The Webster’s definition of “loyalty” is “unswerving in allegiance.” Robert Bowdrie "Bowe" Bergdahl is a United States soldier who went missing from his post in Afghanistan.

He is alleged to have deserted his unit. The soldiers he served with have publicly voiced their disdain for Bergdahl. Why? He was disloyal. Good soldiers are not disloyal. Good soldiers are loyal. They have unswerving allegiance to their nation but, especially, to their unit.

As another year comes to close we can look back on our many accomplishments with satisfaction. In 2015, we have expanded our Cadet Awards program, undertaken more 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Events than any other Veterans organization in Hawaii, grown our membership, increased the integration of volunteers, and continued to commemorate the many patriotic holidays honoring and remembering our Veterans. In short, we are delivering on our promise to carry out the seven purposes of our Order in the community.

3.

COMMITMENT – To commit is to “go all in.” Warriors are committed—they are committed to their country, to the cause, and to their comrades in arms. Courage is not the absence of fear. Almost all sane people experience fear in the presence of genuine danger. On September 11, 2001, hundreds of firefighters and police officers who rushed into the Twin Towers in New York perished. Were they unafraid? No, they were scared, afraid for their lives. But they were committed. It is the commitment that pushes people forward in the face of deadly danger. When we see this kind of commit-

As we look forward to 2016, I ask each of you to set a new goal for your contributions to our Commandery.

In January, we need to vote for the 2016-2018 officer slate. Please consider serving in a leadership position in the Commandery to continue the mission.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

ment in action, whether in peacetime or in war, we call it “courage.”

Arthur N. Tulak, COL, U.S. Army, Retired.

Continued on p. 9 1

50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War Commandery Honors Vietnam Veterans at Colors Ceremony On Thursday 17 September, the Hawaii Commandery once again partnered with Commander Navy Region Hawaii (COMNAVREGHI) Public Affairs for the monthly Colors Ceremony, held at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitors Center. The SEP 2015 Colors Ceremony commemorated POW/MIA Day. This holiday has significant meaning to Vietnam Veterans, and it was anticipated that Vietnam Veterans would attend. The Commandery set up a welcome and information table to greet guests attending the ceremony, and to reach out to Vietnam Veterans and their families.

The Hawaii Commandery provided 50th DoD Commemoration items to those attending the event, with an emphasis on recognizing the Vietnam Veterans in attendance. Approximately seventy personnel attended the ceremony, with 6 Vietnam Veterans and 8 family members present, alongside Active military and civilians, and family members. The Colors Ceremony provides a perfect opportunity for the Commandery to fulfill its role as a DoD certified 50th Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, and to honor and remember the sacrifices of our Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, and our Allies who fought at their side.

Companion Tulak greeted guests attending the September Colors Ceremony devoted to POW/MIA Day, and presented Vietnam Veterans and their family members attending with mementos from the DoD 50th Committee. Some family members took these mementos for their Veteran who was too ill to travel, or was already deceased. All who took the mementos received the thanks from the MOFW for their service or the service of their Veteran ancestor or family member.

The monthly Pearl Harbor Colors Honor and Heritage Ceremony serves to enhance the recognition and preservation of military history and heritage, as well as honor the sacrifice of veterans and those currently serving. Each month focuses on a different theme in military history and heritage, diversity in the military and/or recognition of significant military operations.

The guest speaker, CAPT, USN, Re- Companion Arthur Tulak explaining the DoD 50th Commemoration of the tired, Gerald Coffee, spoke of his im- Vietnam War to an Australian Veteran attending the ceremony. prisonment by the North Vietnamese. CAPT Coffee, who spent seven years as a POW in North Vietnam, shared his key message of keeping the faith with his God, country, and fellow captives. In addition to CAPT Ret Jerry Coffee, CSM Ret Bob Silva, who served two tours in Vietnam was a VIP guest.

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Commandery Supports 25th Infantry Division to Honor Vietnam Veterans The Hawaii Commandery, as a chartered 50th DoD Vietnam Commemorative Partner, partnered with the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) and the Hawaii Chapter of the Assn of the U.S. Army to support the 25th Infantry Division in honoring Vietnam Veterans on 8 OCT 2015 as part of the Division’s Tropic Lightning Week.

The Commandery represented the DoD 50th Commemoration Committee by presenting mementos to 29 Vietnam Veterans and their families at Schofield Barracks on 8 OCT 2015 as part of the 25th Infantry Division's program.

Working with the Oahu Veterans Council and 25th Infantry Division protocol office leading up to the event, the Hawaii Commandery of the MOFW worked to contact Vietnam Veterans and sign them up for the many activities lined up by the Division to honor Vietnam Veterans during the Division's annual Tropic Lightning Week.

The Commandery specifically volunteered to coordinate for the presentation of 50th Commemoration mementos to guests and VeterCompanion Arthur Tulak and COL Ret Ben Lukefahr, Hawaii AUSA President, ans and their families as they arrived welcome Vietnam Veterans as they arrived for the breakfast at the Nehelani for the event.

The Commandery also presented the 50th Vietnam War Veterans pins. The Commandery coordinated with NCOs from the SGT Audie Murphy Club to assist with the presentation of the lapel pin, that is exclusively for veterans. The presentation was well received by the Veterans, some of whom remarked that it was the nicest recognition they had ever received for their service in Vietnam.

NCOs from the SGT Audie Murphy Club assisted with the presentation of the 50th Vietnam War lapel pin, that is exclusively for veterans. MG Flynn presided over the breakfast at the Nehelani Club and thanked the Commandery for its support.

Companion Arthur Tulak, alongside representatives from the SAMC presented the 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Veteran Pin to 29 Vietnam Veterans, who were the guests of honor at a special breakfast reception hosted by the Commanding General, MG Chalres Flynn. MG Flynn presided over the breakfast at the Nehelani Club and thanked the Commandery for its support.

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The following received the official DoD Vietnam Veterans lapel pin: 

Thomas Apple



Harry Green

GEN Ret David Bramlett  Ron Haro  Sammy Houseberg  Richard Capioppe  Henry Makua  Surdavid Carbonell 



Bob Coder

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Victor Craft

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Louis Dinnan

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Tom Donovan

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John Allen Dunn

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Wilburt Ihu

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Jorge Gonzales

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Jerry Omalza

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CSM Ret. Calvin Sagara

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Elmer Solidum

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Ed Smith

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Gary Huber

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Jim Small



Thomas Jones

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Michael Toletino

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Earl Kahalehilo

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Dorsey Weeks

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Roven Kahalehilo



Robert Kent



John Matassa



Miles Nishimoto

Top: Companion Arthur Tulak presents the DoD Vietnam Veteran Lapel pin to the honored Veterans. Below: COL Ret. Lukefahr, MG Flynn, COL Ret. Tulak

Top: NCOs from the SGT Audie Murphy Club presenting the Vietnam Veteran Lapel pins provided by the Commandery. Below: SFC Posy, - Sr NCO of the SAMC.

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Poppy Appeal for Veterans Day The Commandery once again continued the time-honored tradition of distributing poppies at Veterans Day. Distributing the poppies enables us to provide the military community a way to show their support for all Veterans, past, present and future, by wearing the poppy throughout the period of observations and ceremonies, culminating in the actual holiday.

Many of the younger generations are unaware of the origins of the poppy as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance for Veterans and their sacrifices, and these operations help to preserve our military heritage and traditions. The poppy is a symbol for honoring the War Companion Tulak with SSG Jonathan Bookfield, Army National Dead on Memorial Day, and for honoring all Veterans on Guard, who is now serving at Camp Lemmonier, Dijibuoti.

Veterans Day in the United States—known as Armistice Day in the UK and Remembrance Day in Australia, Canada, New ZeaIn Flanders Fields land, and the United Kingdom. Australia and New Zealand also wear

by Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army, poppies in commemoration of ANZAC Day on 25 April, shortly before May 1915 the U.S. Memorial Day. The first sale of the Memorial Poppy took place on 9thNovember 1918, sold by Ms. Moina Michael, remembered as “the Poppy Lady,” for her efforts to establish the poppy in the U.S. as a symbol of remembrance. In May 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars became the first Veterans Organization to routinely distribute poppies as a fundraising effort. The American Legion joined in the following year, with the Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary providing all the materials for the artificial poppies and to disabled and unemployed veterans. The Ladies Auxiliary paid a penny for each poppy that was made.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

The poppy gained popularity as a symbol of remembrance following the publication of a poem written by Canadian Army Major John If ye break faith with us who die McCrae. McCrae had served as a gunner in the Boer War, but went We shall not sleep, though poppies to France in World War One as a medical officer with the first Canadi- grow an contingent. At the second battle of Ypres in 1915, when in charge In Flanders fields. of a small first-aid post, he wrote in pencil on a page torn from his dispatch book. Promoted to Colonel, McCrae was wounded in May 1918 and died after three days in a military hospital on the French coast. On the eve of his death he allegedly said to his doctor, "Tell them this. If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep".

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Mayor’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony

By LTC Curtis “Manny” Manchester Aloha Companions, I had the honor of representing the MOFW and presenting the Hawaii Commandery’s colors at Puowaina (Punch Bowl) National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on Veteran's Day. The service organized by the Oahu Veterans Council (OVC), was very well done, and well attended by a host of veterans' organizations , as well as senior officers of the US Pacific Command and most of the regional component commands to pay their respects to the fallen and to our brother and sister veterans.

LTC Ret Manny Manchester

I saw several familiar faces, including my University of Hawai'i ROTC Sergeant Major, CSM Ret. Bob Da Silva, he often shows up to veterans events representing the Special Forces Association, he looks about my age but I realize that he was a sergeant major when I was a 19 year old cadet, and yes, I joked with him about it.

I noticed that there are fewer and fewer World War II veterans, not too many young veterans, a host of veterans from the Korean Conflicts, and a growing number from the recent and ongoing post 9-11 conflicts. Some of the veterans' groups had one of their oldest and one of their youngest veterans present their wreaths; this is, I think a nice touch, and highlights the passing of the torch to the next generations, this was particularly poignant with the wounded veterans' organizations, showing the continued strength of those groups and the continuing need to care for veterans.

The memorial stone that provides the focal point for the laying of organizational wreaths of remembrance

There Marine Band, as always was excellent. I haven't been to one of these events for years, I intend to continue going to support future events.

As seen from the VIP seating area, JROTC Cadets from Kahuku High School (Oahu) led by Battalion Commander, C/LTC Hart, march the flag down the steps leading up to Lady Columbia.

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Governor’s Ceremony at the Hawaii Sate Veterans Cemetery

By COL (Ret) Michael Madsen I had the honor of representing the Order at the Governor’s Veterans Day ceremony at the magnificent Veteran’s Cemetery in Kaneohe. All of the major veteran’s groups were represented: I felt a little bit like a youngster amid the many vets from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

The theme for this year’s event was “Veterans: A Lifetime of Service.” Office of Veteran Services Director, Col, USAF, Ret., Ronald P. Han Jr., served as the master of ceremonies, opening remarks were delivered by the Hawaii Adjutant General, Major General Arthur “Joe” Logan, and Lt Gov Shan Tsutsui provided the key note address.

“The state of Hawaii has a rich and proud history of its sons and daughters serving our nation dating back to the U.S. Civil War” MG Logan “… less than 1% of America’s population of 322 million serve the country in the military….these numbers are staggering, and when put into context they highlight how special and uniquely committed these few individuals are.”

Hawaii Lt Gov Tsutsui

Several of the Pacific’s most senior military leaders — all based in Hawaii — attended Wednesday’s ceremony, including Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., head of U.S. Pacific Command; Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet; Lt. Gen. John Toolan, head of U.S. Marine Corps Forces.

Cadets from the Hawaii National Guard Youth ChallNGe Program carried the colors of the organizations during the ceremony.

The cadets are participating in a program that was established by the National Guard in 1993 to turn around the lives of young men and women between ages 16 -18 who are experiencing difficulty in completing traditional high school.

I was impressed to learn that nationally their GED or high school diploma attainment increased by 29%; college attendance increased by 86%; annual earnings increased by 20% by participating in the program. I had a chance to chat with several of the cadets and was very impressed with their attitude and bearing: they were a squared away bunch.

Top and below: The MOFW Hawaii Commandery colors are visible in the procession, with Medal of Honor recipient Allan J. Kellogg, Jr. , USMC in front.

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Neal Blaisdell War Memorial Rededication Ceremony.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell hosted a one-of-a-kind Veterans Day event on the 10th of November to replace a plaque that went missing in the 1970s that had designated the Neal Blaisdell Center as a War Memorial for Hawaii. The Neal S. Blaisdell Center, then called Honolulu International Center, was dedicated as a living memorial on September 12, 1964. The original memorial plaque was on a boulder by the Arena, the replacement is by the Concert Hall. The replacement plaque carries the same tribute as the original: “Dedicated to all the sons and daughters of Hawaii who served their country in time of war and in special tribute to those who gave their lives in order that freedom and justice might prevail throughout the world. City and County of Honolulu, Sept 12, 1964

ADM Harry Harris, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, unveils the new plaque. Photos courtesy of 100th Battalion Veterans Club volunteers

Annual Dues Submission Membership dues for annual members in the MOFW run from January 1 to December 31 each year.

Please prepare a check for $35 made payable to "MOFW,” with comments in the memo section - “2016 dues.”

Twenty-Five Dollars of your dues pay for a portion of one medal for a deserving cadet (each medal costs $30), and Ten Dollars go to the National Treasurer-General for every Companion to remain current in good standing with the Order.

Mahalo to those who have already submitted your annual dues, which enable MOFW’s important programs at the National and State levels.

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Commandery Meetings Our last Commandery meeting was held on 17 SEP 2015 at the Green Tree Café on Ford Island, which focused on upcoming Veterans Day Events in November, and Pearl Harbor Day and Cadet Awards ceremonies in December.

Visiting the Commandery was Ms. Raele Scott, of Veterans United Home Loans Hawaii, who presented a check from the Veterans United Foundation in the amount of $1,250.00, which covers half of the Commandery’s Cadet Medals for the 2016 Academic Year.

Mahalo Nui Loa to Veterans United Foundation for their continued support to the Cadet Awards program, which is the largest of its kind in the State of Hawaii.

Chaplain’s Corner continued 4.

SACRIFICE – “No greater love has a man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.” Veterans understand sacrifice. They know too many people who have demonstrated it by giving their all. I played football at DobynsBennett High School in Kingsport, TN with Joe Meade. Joe was a year older than I and, after graduation, he joined the Marine Corps. In January 1969, during an operation in Vietnam, Private First Class Meade was attempting to rescue fellow Marines whose lives were in danger. He was killed by an explosive device. Joe was 20 years old. For his courage and sacrifice, he received the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for combat valor.

Every year the nation recognizes its veterans. It’s not just that they served honorably. It’s that they have acquired characteristics and attributes that they pass on to others.

Wishing all our great supporters and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! “Plentifulness” aptly describes this time of the year which offers us a broad array of meaningful occasions to celebrate and ponder: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, the season of Advent along with so many other special days designated to commemorate and nurture our valued social, national and religious traditions. May the following words attributed to Moses prompt you to consider and re-consider the wonder of our honored days of remembrance.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

My Marine friend is David Epps who is the pastor of Christ the King Church, Sharpsburg, GA (www.ctkcec.org). He is the bishop of the Mid-South Diocese which consists of Georgia and Tennessee (www.midsouthdiocese.org) and the Associate Endorser for the Department of the Armed Forces, U. S. Military Chaplains, ICCEC. He may contacted at frepps@ctkcec.org John C. Molina, Chaplain (LTC), U.S. Army, Retired 9

From our Affiliate Organization—NAUS

NDAA Ordered Reductions in Forces During the coming year, manning levels in the Army’s major components and certain reserve programs stand to be reduced by 30,000 soldiers as a result of budget legislation (NDAA) submitted by President Obama, approved by Congress and awaiting the President's signature into law.

In addition, the Army's civilian workforce is projected to lose another 2,400 by 2017, after already losing 37,000 authorizations since 2011.

The military personnel section of the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Army to reach these manning levels by September 30: •

Regular Army: 475,000 soldiers, a cut of 15,000.

•

Army National Guard: 342,000 soldiers, a cut of 8,200.

•

Army Reserve: 198,000 soldiers, a cut of 4,000.

•

Active Guard and Reserve (ARNG): 30,770 soldiers, a cut of 615.

•

Active Guard and Reserve (USAR): 16,261 soldiers, no change.

•

Dual-status military technicians (ARNG): 26,099 soldiers, a cut of 1,100.

•

Dual-status military technicians (USAR): 7,395 soldiers, a cut of 500.

Because military strength can fluctuate due to spurts and stops in accessions and attrition, Congress in recent years has allowed the services to miss their end-strength goals by 0.5 percent, either up or down.

That occurred this year, with the Army ending fiscal 2015 with 1,365 more soldiers on active duty than authorized, a variance of 0.3 percent.

In approving the new budget, lawmakers agreed to an amendment that would increase the variance percentage to 2 percent, which is insurance against any sharp decline in recruiting, or an unexpected slowdown in separations and retirements.

NAUS is troubled by these reductions, especially since the day-to-day requirements for our military is little changed. NAUS remains committed to press Congress and the Administration to meet their responsibilities and to provide our men and women in uniform the support they require for the critical service they provide.

MCAS Ewa Beach Battlefield preservation The Hawaii NAUS Chapter has played a significant role in preserving Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Ewa Field. Chapter President Dennis Egge reported that the State signed off on the nomination of this historic battle field; the entire base, all 150 acres of it, were included as preserved, in this document. With this accomplished, the Navy can now endorse and forward state and federal nominations to the Pentagon for enrollment. Originally founded as an airship base for the United States Navy in 1925, the field was designated as an MCAS on February 3, 1941 and remained in active service until June 18, 1952.

This year the memorial ceremony (commemorating at 10am, on Sunday, December 6th at Ewa Field, commemorating the attacks on Oahu on Dec 7 1941 )will have special meaning. Please, consider taking the time to attend this event . For more information, contact Hawaii NAUS Chapter President, Dennis Egge dne39@isp.com 10

Welcome New Companions!

Veteran Companion, COL Ret. Mike Madsen Veteran Companion Madsen was admitted into the Order on October 8, 2015 after having served as a volunteer for the Cadet Awards Program since April.

Companion Madsen served in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq from January through October 2015 and in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan from September 20003 to February 2004.

Previously , Companion Madsen served in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM-PHILIPPINES January through April of 2002. In addition, Companion Madsen served in Sarajevo as part of the CJCMTF. Companion Madsen served as Command Surgeon at the Battalion, Regiment, Brigade, JSOTF, and JTF levels Companion Madsen's many military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and many others. He is a recipient of the Order of Military Medical Merit, the Order of St. Michael, the Washington County (OR) Law Enforcement Lifesaving Medal (2) and the Republic of the Philippines Commendation Medal.

Companion Madsen has served as the Command Surgeon at the Battalion, Regiment, Brigade, Task Force, Joint Task Force levels. Over the course of his career, he has served in military hospitals to include two tours at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, the Darnall Army Community Hospital at Fort Hood Texas.

Of note, Companion Madsen served as the Commander, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Health Clinic in Casteau, Belgium. His qualifying overseas assignments include: 

Task Force Surgeon, 36th Medical Evacuation Task Force, Tikrit, Iraq;



Command Surgeon, Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan, Kabul;



JSOTF Surgeon, Joint Special Operations Task Force-150, Zamboanga, Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines;



Command Surgeon, Combined Joint Civil Military Task Force, Sarajevo, Bosnia;

Companion Madsen received his Bachelor of Science Degree form Iowa State University in 1977, obtained his medical degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Des Moines, Iowa in 1980.

Companion Madsen is a graduate of the US Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

Companion Madsen is presently a practicing Doctor of Osteopathy at the Hyperbaric Treatment Center, John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii . He is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (FACEP) and Flight Surgeon. His civilian appointments include: Staff Physician, Oregon Emergency Medical Specialists, Hillsboro, Oregon; Deputy Sheriff and Team Physician Washington County Oregon Sheriff’s Office Tactical Negotiations Team (SWAT); Director of Prehospital Care, Acute Care Specialists, Cleveland, Ohio and Clinical Instructor and Flight Physician, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio. He is a NOAA Dive Medical Officer and a member of Diver’s Alert Network.

Companion Madsen is married to Allison (Moon) of Atlanta, GA and they have four children: Christopher, Kristen, Jennifer and Michael. Companion Madsen is also eligible for hereditary companionship, as his Father, Dr Glen D. Madsen, was drafted and rose to the rank of SSG in the Ordnance Corps, and served in the Korean War with the 8th U.S. Army. Companion Madsen's son, Christopher J. Madsen, was assigned to the 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division from 2002-2006, and served in Iraq in 2005 as a Scout Sniper.

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Commandery Future Operations

PACFLT Band Holiday Concert at Hale Koa Hotel Saturday, 12 DEC , 1700 hrs.

U.S. Pacific Fleet Band cordially invites you to attend a FREE and open to the public Holiday Concert which will occur on 12 December 2015, beginning at 1700. The outdoors concert will take place under the large banyan tree in the courtyard of the Hale Koa Hotel, 2055 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815.

No tickets are required as seating is open. Casual/holiday attire is encouraged

The next Commandery meeting will be a breakfast held on 9 January, 0900 hrs, at the Monterey Bay Canners Restaurant in the Pearl Ridge Shopping Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Rd., Aiea, HI 96701, Phone: 808.483.3555 We will induct new Companions and review our plans and objectives for 2016.

It is time to elect officers for 2016-2018.

All Companions are invited to serve in a leadership position. The positions of Commander, Chaplain, Treasurer, and Secretary must be held by Oahu residents to conduct the day-to-day business of the Commandery.

Oahu Veterans Center News The next Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Recovery Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) luncheon will be held on December 12th and is sponsored by Veterans United Home Loans of Hawaii. Volunteers are needed to help serve, and to have lunch with these Veterans who have just completed their rehab program.

The positions of Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice-Commander, and the National Delegate, may be held by any Veteran Companion in good standing in the Hawaii Commandery and need not be an Oahu Island or Hawaii State resident.

The National Delegate represents the Commandery at the Biennial Convention to vote for the Commandery.

Volunteers are needed for re-organizing the storage area for member organizations of the Oahu Veterans Council. The Commandery’s items were pulled out before the major construction that completed the addition reported in the September issue of the Commandery News.

Your current officer slate: Commander: COL Ret. Arthur Tulak National Delegate: COL Ret. Arthur Tulak Sr. Vice Commander: Vacant Jr. Vice Commander: LT, Ret. Cornelius Brown Chaplain: Chaplain, LTC Ret. John Molina Treasurer: LTC Ret., Wayne Swan Secretary: LTC Ret., Wayne Swan

Please come to the OVC on Saturday 16 January to volunteer some elbow-grease and re-establish the storage area for all member organizations. Presently, the Commandery’s flags and supplies are in personal storage.

Those interested in serving in an office, please contact the Commander not later than 28 December to be added to the ballot, which will go out via email.

The Hawaii Commandery is a member of the Oahu Veterans Council, which meets on the 4th Saturday of the month at 0900 hrs. Please consider volunteering to cover one of these meetings for the Commandery Executive Committee. If interested, contact Companion Tulak to sign up for a particular month.

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Companion News Companion, Col USAF Dave Terrinoni represented the Hawaii Commandery at an event honoring Vietnam Veterans in the National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS, on 21 September 2015.

This event was the first of a series of six events planned by the Crusaders for Veterans organization to recognize, and welcome home our Vietnam veterans.

The Crusaders for Veterans is a commemorative partner with the DoD 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Committee Companion Terrinoni made sure to wear his MOFW shirt as he attended the event, and was captured in several of the photos posted on the organization’s Facebook Page.

From left to right: Kevin "Reb" Cuttill - the CEO/ Mississippi Division President of the Crusaders for Veterans, and Companion, Col Dave Terrinoni, Former Commandery Chaplain and member of the MOFW Membership and Recruiting committee.

Cadet Awards Program The 2015 Cadet Awards program ceremonies will close with the following presentations: Civil Air Patrol, 12 DEC at Maryknoll High School. 1LT Angela Smith, a former CAP Cadet, has volunteered to cover this event.

Youth ChalleNGe Academy, 17 DEC, 1800 hrs at the Pearl City Cultural Center, —COL Tulak Hawaii Sea Cadets, 9 DEC, 1800 hrs (t). The details of our first-ever medal presentation to the Sea Cadets are still TBD. Volunteers are needed for this event! Please contact the Commander.

The medals for the 2016-2017 Academic Year have been purchased and are coming from a new supplier.

The traditional latch pin has been replaced with two clutch-back fasteners. For those considering joining the team of presenters in April/May 2016, consider coming to one of the last ceremonies in 2015 to see for yourself how important this program is for our Cadet community.

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Hawaii Commandery Joins Hawaii’s WWI Centennial Task Force

As first reported in the August 2014 issue of Commandery News, the WWI Centennial Commission is assisting states in establishing their own Committees to prepare for the Centennial observation period. Public Law 112 - 272 - World War I Centennial Commission Act, specifies that the commemoration period runs until 28 July 2019.

The Commission serves as a clearing house for the collection and dissemination of information about events and plans for the centennial of World War One. The Commission also encourages private organizations and State and local governments to organize and participate in activities commemorating the centennial of World War One. Governor Ige has appointed Col Ret Ron Han, Director of the Office of Veterans Services, to chair this State Committee. Col Han has established the WWI Centennial Task Force to start planning for Hawaii’s Commemoration events.

The Hawaii Commandery, along with the Hawaii Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Hawaii Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars, and the American Legion Post 19, is on the short list of Veterans Organizations invited to become a member of the Task Force. Other members include history professors from Hawaii Pacific University, University of Hawaii, the Friends of the Natatorium, the Hawaii Office of Veteran Affairs, and the Hawaii DOD Public Affairs The Hawaii WWI Centennial Task Force – has conducted two meetings, and is currently identifying key events in the civil and military communities worth commemorating with an event that will be sufficiently interesting and newsworthy to draw greater attention to the centennial. The timeline is the key for identifying military events that our local Service Commands would want to commemorate, as well as to find those of interest to the general population that would help us to understand how the citizenry of the then Territory of Hawaii responded to serve their country during the war.

The Great War (World War I) began in Europe in July, 1914. The US remained neutral for over two years, but finally, President Woodrow Wilson requested that Congress declare war on Germany and her allies. On June 13, 1917, Major General John J. Pershing led the first American Expeditionary Forces into France. These “doughboys” eventually reached Belgium and the Swiss border as well.T wo of these doughboys were men from Hawaii, of Chinese descent. They were Sergeant Apau En Pau Kau (Gao Enbao) and Sergeant George Bung Quon Tom (Tan Bingan ). The Kau Tom Post 11 of the American Legion is named after them.

As the timeline takes shape, and a priority list of events for commemoration is completed, the role of the Commandery will be one of support for execution and support.

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Upcoming events:          

6 DEC, 1000 hrs: memorial ceremony at MCAS Ewa Field commemorating attacks carried out by Imperial Japanese forces on Oahu.

7 DEC, 0700 hrs: 74th Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration, Kilo Pir, Pearl Harbor 7 DEC, 1500 hrs; Army’s Actions Commemoration Ceremony, Fort DeRussy 7 DEC, 1800-2000 hrs: 74th Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration Parade starting at Fort DeRussy and moving down Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki 12 DEC, 1700 hrs: PACFLT Band Holiday Concert at Hale Koa Hotel 12 DEC, 1800 hrs: Civil Air Patrol Awards Ceremony, Maryknoll High School 17 DEC, 1800 hrs: Youth ChalleNGe Academy Graduation and Awards, Pearl City Cultural Center 19 DEC, Details TBD Hawaii Sea Cadets Awards Ceremony 23 DEC, 2300 hrs, Vietnam Candlelight Vigil, Korean and Vietnam War Memorial at the State Capitol.

9 JAN, 0900 hrs: Commandery Breakfast and Meeting, Monterey Bay Canners Restaurant.

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Military Order of Foreign Wars Hawaii Commandery Oahu Veterans Center 1298 Kukila Street Honolulu, HI 96818