Vandals damage veterans center
| • | Commander remembers sinking 5 captured subs |
The O'ahu Veterans Center in Foster Village recently was the target of graffiti on the roof of the facility, said Fred Ballard, secretary of the O'ahu Veterans Council.
Ballard said the result is that many roof tiles have to be replaced. The estimate to replace the roof is $1,990, he said.
Insurance is covering it, but there is a $1,000 deductible, the group said.
The Veterans Center is a nonprofit that is operated by the O'ahu Veterans Council. The center supports O'ahu's veterans, active duty military, and their families.
Ballard called the graffiti a "slap in the face" to veterans.
"The Veterans Center will now be forced to divert monies that will hopefully be raised during a Nov. 8 fundraiser to pay for the cost of new tiles instead of supporting our ongoing programs that benefit O'ahu's veterans, the wounded warrior programs, military families with one or more parents deployed, and more," he said.
MEDALS HONOR 4 HAWAI'I MARINES
Four Hawai'i Marines who served with Embedded Training Teams in Afghanistan recently received awards for actions during their nine-month deployment.
Lt. Col. Patrick C. Byron, Master Gunnery Sgt. Douglas R. Thurston Jr. and 1st Lt. James B. Parson were presented Bronze Star Medals, and Staff Sgt. Jason J. Sarabia was presented an Army Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device.
The awards were presented for superior performance while providing mentorship and training to 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 201st Corps of the Afghan National Army.
Sarabia's award was presented for his display of "valor and courage while under direct enemy fire" during an enemy assault.
RETIRED GENERAL DIRECTS CENTER
Retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Goodman has taken over as the new director of the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance.
Goodman recently stepped down as commander of Marine Forces Pacific headquartered at Camp Smith.
The center's mission is to promote excellence in civil-military international disaster preparedness and management, humanitarian response, and peacekeeping operations in the Asia-Pacific region. The center is at Tripler Army Medical Center.
