Photo By Sgt. Jon Heinrich | The 8th Military Police Brigade command group (the “Watchdogs” team), 8th Theater...... read more read more
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HONOLULU – Since 2009, the State of Hawaii has been home to an annual canoe race to honor wounded warriors and assist in their recovery from their injuries.
On Aug. 22, the Hawaii Chapter of the Association of the United States Army hosted the 6th Annual Na Koa Wounded Warrior Canoe Regatta at Fort DeRussy Beach Park.
“It’s a great event where our Soldiers get an opportunity and a lot of our leader’s come out here to spend time with wounded warriors, spend time with Gold Star Family members, spend time with our fellow comrades and people from the community,” said Col. Duane Miller, the 8th Military Police Brigade commander, 8th Theater Sustainment Command.
“It’s to honor the families of our wounded warriors,” said Lt. Col. Todd Allison, the 8th Special Troops Battalion commander, 8th TSC. “So many have gone out there and have both hidden wounds and visible wounds, and all of them are having a chance to show how they can fight back from those wounds.
“And combat vets and veterans have also been encouraged out here to show their support for those wounded warriors and compete in the race today,” Allison added. “But it’s more about honoring the wounded warriors, having fun and coming together with some healthy competition.”
Teams from all over the state competed in one of four divisions: Youth Division, Wounded Warrior Families, combat veterans and veterans.
Although none of the teams from 8th TSC won their divisions, they each had fun competing and enjoyed being there for the families.
“What a great day,” Miller said. “Other than it being a little bit warm, I think the participation out here has been phenomenal.
“You’ve got a lot of teams competing hard against one another,” Miller continued. “And the opportunity to see the Gold Star mothers, families, fathers, brothers and sisters get recognized earlier today, that’s what made it all worth it.”
Halfway through the competition the race was halted for a Youth Awards Ceremony and a Gold Star Medallion Presentations.
Among the award presenters were Gen. Vincent K. Brooks and Command Sgt. Maj. Bryant C. Lambert, the commander and command sergeant major for U.S. Army Pacific; Maj. Gen. Edward F. Dorman III, commander of 8th TSC; Maj. Gen. Charles A. Flynn, commander of 25th Infantry Division; and the Honorable Mark Takai, congressman for the U.S. House of Representatives 1st District of Hawaii.
“It was an absolutely amazing experience,” Allison said. “Honestly, it was the experience of coming together that really made it special.”
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2015 21:28 |
| Story ID: | 174255 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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