Chamber shows appreciation for service members

By Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Military Affairs, News ReleaseMay 6, 2011

HONOLULU - While Hawaii remains the U.S. military headquarters for national security in the Pacific, the military's role has been expanded to include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and enabling global commerce and trade for Pacific nations.

This year's Military Appreciation Month celebration will highlight and honor Hawaii's military warriors, past and present.

This provides Hawaii's appreciative ohana with the chance to say mahalo to their heroes of past wars, those serving on the front lines of today's wars in the Middle East and those on patrol everyday in the Pacific.

It is also a time to give thanks to Hawaii's military spouses who face the awesome task of keeping their families together, as their husbands and wives are sent into harm's way.

This is a time to share the spirit of aloha.

This is the time to welcome the troops and their families into local homes and communities.

This is the time for them to enjoy being in Hawaii, as part of the ohana.

This isn't asking too much for all that they have sacrificed.

This year marks the 26th anniversary for Hawaii's military appreciation celebration. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii started this tradition in 1985, with its Military Affairs Council and the Armed Services Committee, as a one-day event on Armed Forces Day.

The celebration was later extended to a weeklong event, and Hawaii became the first state to honor the military throughout the month of May.

Join in the activities as the Chamber of Commerce celebrates the military's presence in the islands and extends its deepest appreciation for the military's vital contributions to the social, cultural and economic well-being of Hawaii's ohana.

U.S. military bands from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard will pool their talented musicians for the annual Combined Military Band Concert, May 21, at the historic Hawaii Theatre in downtown Honolulu, from 7-8:30 p.m.

The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii will host a Military History Day, May 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki.

Mahalo for protecting the nation, the islands and our families.