Hawaii VFW Convention!

In Mid-June, we traveled to Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii to attend the 83^rd Annual VFW State Convention.  There is certainly a feeling of re-birth here and both the VFW and Auxiliary are looking forward to doing big things this year.

We had a very nice Public Service awards evening, hosted by local Post 12122 in conjunction with the Elks Lodge.  It was most heartening to see local police officers being recognized for their work in their community.  In conjunction with the VFW, they are making Hawaii a better place to live.  The next few days were chock full of convention and business events.  However, instead of sitting in a stuffy ballroom, our meetings were all on a veranda with a beautiful view of the sand and ocean.  During the Memorial Service, there was a decided Hawaiian flavor as we listened to Ms. Annie Alves singing Kanaka WaiWai [Jesus Lives] while playing her ukulele.  There certainly was something spiritual in the air as all the comrades, brothers, sisters, and guests began slowly swaying to the tune and singing the words.  I was really touched.

Many of the Posts received awards for outstanding community service.  One Post in particular stood out and was also named the Hawaii Post of the Year:  Lance Corporal Hayward Kimo Hamili Peleiholani Post 3830 of Pahoa!  And yes, I had to pronounce that entire string multiple times throughout the evening!  The Post Quartermaster Nu Teofilo was so excited that at one point he took off his shirt, wearing only his Lava-Lava, grabbed a palm tree out of a planter and began doing a celebratory Samoan dance.  I ran for cover after the first war cry!!  The Pahoa Post is known as the hottest little post in Hawaii as it was in the path of the recent lava flows in the northern part of this island!  They also have the distinction of being the home post to the newly elected Department Commander, Deb Lewis.  Deb is a retired US Army Colonel and has the distinction of being in the first class of females to graduate from West Point. She’s going to do great things this year!

I had some free time and took a drive, where I found the West Hawai’i Veterans Cemetery.  Located on a knoll overlooking the ocean, it is a very calm and peaceful place.  As I walked among the headstones, I noted several names of Japanese origin.  Looking more closely, I saw on the markers “100 BN 442”.  Yes, these were members of the famed all Japanese American 100^th Infantry Battalion/442^nd Regimental Combat Team, whose motto was “Go for Broke.”  As I reflected on their service to a country that had imprisoned their families simply for being Japanese, I resolved to continue my goal of diversity within our ranks of the VFW.

Megan and I did take one evening to ourselves and went diving, more specifically a Giant Manta Ray night dive.  If you want to see us interacting with these 1,000 pound animals with wingspans up to 15 feet, check out this short video!   https://youtu.be/BCoG6JfV3JI

This is the room where we had all of our meetings and banquets.  I'm very fortunate to have been the National Representative for this convention!

My counterpart, Ms Jean Hamil, was the representative for the Auxiliary.  Jean and I will become the Auxiliary President and VFW Commander [fingers crossed] at the National convention on 3 August.

Annie and her Uke!

Newly installed State Commander Deb Lewis.  What a powerful woman and role model!

Nu Teofilo - If you see him at the national convention, do not give him an award or let him see a palm tree.  You've been warned!  :-)  Seriously though, what a great guy.  He even designed the Post shirt he's wearing

A view of the grounds at the West Hawai'i Veterans Cemetery.  So peaceful

This stamp honors the Nisei soldiers of World War II.  Serendipitously, it was issued just prior to my visit to Hawaii and the cemetery.  The image is from a photograph taken in 1944 in front a railroad station in France

A lesson from the vast lava fields of the Big Island.  No matter where you find yourself, grow and thrive!