WOUNDED WARRIORS ~ they never expect much, but EACH deserves more than a thank you ....

Last week Cliff and I attended a special workshop at the Kaneohe Marine Corp Base.  The tireless AMVET's Post 1 Commander Donovan Lazarus, (not describing his car) was there early to set up our information table to greet and provide support to the crowd of attendees.

Among the keynote speakers were former Senator Daniel Akaka, Jr., Judge Edward H. Kubo, Jr., very highly skilled and cutting edge health practitioners and the OUTSTANDING MEN & WOMEN who fought in our wars, suffered severe combat injuries, and who are dedicating their lives to giving selfless aid to countless veterans.

Daniel Akaka, Jr.
Former U.S. Senator for Hawaii

In Senator Akaka's opening remarks he told of how, as a young man in the 1940's, he volunteered to help our nation fight the war by joining the Army.  There he served in America's highest decorated legendary all Hawaii 442nd Regiment along with former Senator Daniel K. Inouye who recently passed away.  After the World War II ended, he returned home and noticed that he had difficulty adapting to civilian social life.  He wanted to be alone, and did not know why.  He isolated himself by going hiking and fishing.  After many years he was able to return to his former self, and he attributes that to his religious church activity and support from his family.

Early in his career as a Senator of Hawaii, he became involved with our nation's veterans and wrote several bills to provide them with much needed support, particularly in the area of PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It was during his efforts that he realized that he had been a victim of this condition when he returned from the war as a young man.  He recounted that PTSD was not a known condition back then and he is extremely grateful that he was able to eventually overcome it after graduating from college, going to work and pursuing his career in politics.

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Judge Edward H. Kubo, Jr.

Former U.S. Attorney for Hawaii Region

When President George Bush rallied the nation to respond to the fateful events of September 11, 2001, he sought the finest professionals to serve in our nation's response to terrorism. That very week the President appointed Ed Kubo as the U.S. Attorney for Hawaii and surrounding regions, a position which would soon be transformed into one of the most powerful and influential U.S. Attorney offices in the nation.  For Kubo, flying to Washington D.C. in the wake of terrorist attacks on American soil for a briefing with the President was a transformative experience.  

He has served as a First Circuit Court Judge since 2010, and reflected on the past, present and future meaning of the fateful September 11th events. Judge Kubo recounted his experience of being thrust into the role of regional counter-terrorism coordinator of all national security organizations, including the U.S. military, intelligence organizations, and Hawaii State, County and municipal police and other agencies.

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So WHAT can we do, WHERE can we help and HOW? Here is a question that might be useful for anybody, "How can your credit score affect the cost of your auto insurance?"