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Our Community Salutes recognizes U.S. Armed Forces enlistees

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Oelrich
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Oahu's high school senior planning to join the U.S. Armed Forces were honored by the local community during the Our Community Salutes Recognition Ceremony at the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial May 17.

Our Community Salutes is a community-based initiative to recognize and honor graduating high school seniors who plan to join the Armed Forces after graduation. Our Community Salutes is made up of military members, veterans, community leaders, educators and businesspersons who value the importance of the young men and women who have volunteered to serve their country.

Enlistees joining the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Air Force National Guard were recognized during the ceremony. Each enlistee received a certificate of appreciation and an OCS coin for their dedication to the country.

U.S. Army command Sgt. Maj. Finis A. Dodson, 94th Army Air Missile Defense Command, provided the enlistees with his advice as a seasoned military member and guest speaker at the event.

"Lead from the front.  Don't expect your Soldiers to do something that you are not willing to do yourself," Dodson said. "Remain mentally and physically fit. Execute orders in your own name. Become the expert in whatever you are doing. Trust but verify. Take care of Soldiers by making sure they are ready to fight. Dream big, but focus small. It's not time to reach for the senior grade yet. Most of all have fun." 

Hawaii State Senator Fred Hemming addressed the enlistees as well, sharing these thoughts.

"I want you to leave here optimistic and knowing that you have the full support of this nation," Hemming said. "You have great men and women who have gone before you who will reach back and help you along. Your officers, sergeant majors, and all those in the military are eager to have you become a part of their band of brothers and sisters."  

Many of the enlistees had different reasons for joining the military.

Theodore Hayashi, a U.S. Navy enlistee from Kailua High School, said he had an interest in the military from a young age.

"I have wanted to join the ROTC since I was little, so when I got into high school, I tried it out and liked it," said Hayashi. "I climbed through the ranks of cadet, Lt Col, group commander. It gave me many experiences and shaped what I was going to do after high school to serve the country."

For Curtis Colipano, a U.S. Air Force National Guard enlistee from Damien Memorial School, military runs in the family.

"I chose the Air Force National Guard because my dad is in the Air Force National Guard," said Colipano. "I grew up watching him and knew that is what I wanted to do."

This was the second year the OCS recognition ceremony has been held in Hawaii. The OCS ceremony started in southern New Jersey in 2009 and has now spread across the nation.

"I think the event is cool, said Auggieray Alvarez a U.S. Army enlistee from Farrington High school. "It is nice that they are recognizing us for joining the military."