The Hawaii State Senate and House of Representatives will convene in joint session to award the Hawaii Medal of Honor to recognize military service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 2 p.m.
The families of these fallen service members will all receive the Hawaii Medal of Honor on behalf of their loved ones in the Hawaii State Capitol Senate Chambers.
The Hawaii Medal of Honor was created by Rep. K. Mark Takai to recognize the heroism of Hawaii’s armed forces. It is awarded on behalf of the people of the State of Hawaii to honor those with Hawaii ties who are killed in action while serving our country as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Recipients of the medal include members of the United States Armed Forces, the United States military reserves, and the Hawaii National Guard who were residents of the State of Hawaii, attended an educational institution in Hawaii, or who were stationed in Hawaii by order of the United States Department of Defense.
Nine families from Hawaii and the mainland U.S. are expected to participate in this very special ceremony. Other attendees will represent local government leaders, the Hawaii Congressional Delegation, and the military.
The presentation of the Hawaii Medal of Honor was the first of its kind in the nation, and has become the model for similar ceremonies in other states.