Photo By Kristen Wong | Staff Sgt. Carlito Pigao, the assistant staff noncommissioned officer in charge at...... read more read more
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FORD ISLAND, Hawaii — More than 100 Hawaii high school seniors and their families were honored in a ceremony aboard the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial, May 17, 2015.
Our Community Salutes is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing graduating high school students who are enlisting in the military. Students enlisting in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Air National Guard attended. OCS of Hawaii hosted its inaugural ceremony for Oahu students aboard the historical landmark. Each service branch was called as a group. Branch representatives handed out certificates and challenge coins to each student as their name was called.
“I really appreciate (OCS for hosting the ceremony),” said Staff Sgt. Carlito Pigao, the assistant staff noncommissioned officer of Recruiting Substation Honolulu. “It feels good to have the community back us up in what we do and having this ceremony proves to the parents that it’s not just the recruiters that care, but the community as well.”
Pigao knew each and every one of the Marine Corps recruits, having spoken to each of them at least once a week.
“I’m very proud,” Pigao said. “When I was coming through and I joined, I never had this opportunity. Nobody knew I joined until I came back in uniform.”
Lise Childers was among more than a dozen students joining the Marine Corps. Childers, of Honolulu, will be graduating from McKinley High School soon. She said she is interested in learning another language and wants to be a linguist in the Corps. Childers said she isn’t sure if she’ll stay enlisted, but her father has encouraged her to consider becoming a commissioned officer.
Army Sgt. Maj. Finis A. Dodson, the command sergeant major of the 94th Army Air Missile Defense Command, was the guest speaker. The native of Olive Branch, Miss., said looking at the students’ faces reminded him of himself as a young recruit. He encouraged the students to take advantage of the educational benefits that come with joining the military. He also gave some advice to the new warriors based on his experience serving in the Army.
“We have much more service men and women today than we’ve ever had,” Dodson said. “I believe that you are ready for the challenge. Don’t become overly focused on the moment. Take the entire situation into account and be willing to sacrifice individual needs for the greater good of the organization. Remember, it’s about the team: Together, everyone achieves more.”
Also speaking at the event was Fred Hemmings, a former Hawaii state senator, who shared words of wisdom with the students. He shared a story about the battle in which former Sen. Daniel Inouye lost his arm, whom he considered “one of the greatest leaders Hawaii’s ever had,” and encouraged the students to emulate his bravery.
“I want you to leave here optimistic, knowing that you have the full support of this nation,” Hemmings said. “You have great men and women who have gone before you who will reach (out) and help you along. Your officers, your sergeants major and all those in the military are eager to have you become part of their band of brothers and sisters. When given a task, never say to yourself, ‘I can’t.’ Always say you can and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I’ve made my fair share and they’ve been my greatest teachers in life. May you stand tall against the winds of tyranny and may the angels watch over you, (guiding) you wherever you may go.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2015 17:00 |
| Story ID: | 164330 |
| Location: | FORD ISLAND, HI, US |
| Hometown: | OLIVE BRANCH, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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