The Memorial Task Force, co-chaired by David Brostrom and Allen Hoe, the Gold Star Fathers of Army 1st Lieutenants Jonathan Brostrom and Nainoa Hoe, are seeking input from the public on the design and location of a newly planned memorial honoring Hawaii veterans.
Act 139, signed by Governor Abercrombie on June 21, 2013, directed the Office of Veterans Services to develop a plan to give tangible and visible recognition of the sacrifices and contributions of veterans from Hawaii who served in the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Global War on Terrorism, Homeland Defense, and Operation Noble Eagle.
An internet survey has been posted at www.SurveyMonkey.com/s/HawaiiMemorial. The survey will remain online until November 1, 2013.
The Task Force reminds us that the time to honor our heroes is appropriate given the fact that tomorrow, September 11, we will reflect upon the past 12 years when our nation was rocked by the horrors of terrorism on our own soil.
Hawaii has a distinguished legacy of military service and has honored its own in memorials specific to the wars in which they served.
“A grateful state best honors and remembers the sacrifices of those who have served our nation by living our lives in deepest appreciation of our freedom. That is what they defended and that is what they fought and died for. We honor them and their families with this memorial,” said Rep. K. Mark Takai, who help to create the Task Force.
It has been 23 years since Operation Desert Shield began, and the war in Afghanistan is now our nation’s longest. It is time for Hawaii to pay special tribute to those who have given their lives for our freedoms and to recognize and honor those who have served in the uniforms of our military.
Information about the Memorial Task Force may be found at https://dod.hawaii.gov/ovs/advisory-board/task-forces/memorial-task-force/.
People can contact the Task Force at 808-433-0423.
All Task Force meeting notices will be posted by public notice.