THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

2

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

awarding the hawaii medal of honor to UNITED STATES MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS WITH HAWAII connections KILLED IN ACTION WHILE SERVING IN DANGEROUS, VOLATILE, AND UNSTABLE AREAS OF THE WORLD, INCLUDING IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

 

 

     WHEREAS, in times of threats to our nation's security, the United States armed forces stand ready to defend and protect our nation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States armed forces also protect the lives and freedoms of individuals from other nations who cannot fight for themselves; and

 

     WHEREAS, known for its highly skilled military personnel, unwavering patriotism, and undiminishing compassion for others, the United States armed forces bravely answered the call to fight for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan; and

 

     WHEREAS, as a central location of armed forces training and preparation, the State of Hawaii sent many of its own National Guard and Military Reserves service members and United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy service members to protect Iraqi and Afghan citizens; and

 

     WHEREAS, in the course of active and unpredictable military duty, members of the military often become engaged in dangerous situations, endangering their own lives as they act to protect innocent civilians; and

 

     WHEREAS, many airmen, airwomen, soldiers, marines, and sailors with ties to Hawaii were called to serve in some of the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan coming into contact with opposing forces on a daily basis; and

     WHEREAS, it was with utmost bravery that many heroes with ties to Hawaii were killed in action, sacrificing their lives to protect the lives of American and foreign citizens; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Medal of Honor may be awarded to individuals who have been killed in action, while:

 

·         Engaged in:

 

-        An action against an enemy of the United States; or

 

-        Military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;

 

or

 

·         Serving:

 

-        With friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; or

 

-        In a combat zone as designated by presidential order;

 

and

 

WHEREAS, to be a recipient of the Hawaii Medal of Honor, at the time the armed forces member was killed in action, the recipient must also have been a member of:

 

·         The Hawaii National Guard, the United States Military Reserves, or the Regular United States Armed Forces, who was:

 

- A legal resident of the State of Hawaii; or

 

- An attendee of a school in Hawaii at some time during the life of the member;

 

or

·         The Regular United States Armed Forces, who was:

 

-        A legal resident of the State of Hawaii; or

 

-        Stationed in Hawaii by a proper order of the United States Department of Defense;

 

and

 

WHEREAS, the people of the State of Hawaii are enormously grateful for the service provided by these brave men and women and are greatly saddened by the loss of each armed forces member and stand by the surviving family members in support and with aloha; and

 

     WHEREAS, the service members will be forever remembered for their ultimate act of bravery as heroes who sacrificed their lives so others could be free; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature, pursuant to Section 5-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, awards, on behalf of the people of Hawaii, the Hawaii Medal of Honor to:

 

·         United States Marine Corps Sergeant Phillip A. Bocks;

·         United States Army Sergeant Ireno S. Lacerna;

·         United States Army Sergeant Gary D. Willett;

·         United States Army Sergeant First Class Jerald A. Whisenhunt;

·         United States Army Sergeant Timothy P. Martin;

·         United States Army Corporal Michael T. Manibog;

·         United States Army Specialist Gregory B. Rundell;

·         United States Army Specialist Jeremiah C. Hughes;

·         United States Army Sergeant First Class David L. McDowell;

·         United States Army Sergeant John K. Daggett;

·         United States Army Private Eugene D.M. Kanakaole;

·         United States Marine Corps Captain Philip J. Dykeman;

·         United States Marine Corps Corporal Marcus W. Preudhomme;

·         United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Max A. Galeai;

·         United States Army Corporal William L. McMillan, III;

·         United States Army First Lieutenant Jonathan P. Brostrom;

·         United States Army Sergeant Kenneth B. Gibson;

·         United States Army Staff Sergeant Julian F.A. Manglona;

·         United States Army Private First Class Christopher A. McCraw;

·         United States Army Staff Sergeant Solomon T. Sam;

·         United States Marine Corps Corporal Thomas Reilly, Jr.;

·         United States Army Private First Class Christopher W. Lotter; and

·         United States Army Private Sean P. McCune,

 

and honors and remembers the sacrifice of these armed forces heroes with ties to Hawaii who fought and died bravely for the United States of America, and sends its heartfelt appreciation and sympathy to surviving family members; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of these recipients be entered on the Hawaii Medal of Honor Roll; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the two houses of the Legislature assemble in Joint Session in the Chambers of the Senate at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, to present the Hawaii Medal of Honor to the family or representative of each recipient.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Hawaii Medal of Honor