University of Hawaii honors Wounded Warriors and US service members

by Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Clark Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau

 U.S. Pacific Command Joint Color Guard and other members of the U.S. Military take the field to honor Wounded Warriors during half time at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, Saturday, Nov. 30. Cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point traveled to Hawaii to honor the U.S. Military and Wounded Warriors. (U.S. Department of Defense photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Clark/Released)

HONOLULU - Wounded Warriors and members of the U.S. Military were honored during a football game where the Black Knights from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point played the University of Hawaii Warriors, Saturday, Nov. 30, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Many dignitaries were on hand for the event, including Commander, U.S. Army Pacific and West Point alumnus, Gen. Vincent Brooks. According to Brooks, this game was special for a few reasons.

“First the military is being appreciated; think that’s the most important thing,” Brooks said. “Then especially those who have taken on wounds while serving our nation, [also] it’s important to recognize that there’s an extra burden that they carry, and also to let them know that they’re not alone.”

The festivities began with honoring Hawaii’s 2013 Outstanding Military Spouses before the game. The main focus of the evening, however, was the Wounded Warriors and active-duty service members who were honored at halftime.

The halftime festivities kicked off with the U.S. Pacific Command’s Joint Service Color Guard leading soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division; Marines from the Combat Logistics Battalion Three from Marine Corps Base Hawaii; sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin and airmen from Pacific Air Forces, both stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, as well as members of the Coast Guard from the 14th Coast Guard District. These U.S. military members were all on hand to honor Wounded Warriors when they took the field.

One of the Wounded Warriors, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Christian Pollock, an Information Systems Technician, served two tours in Iraq, one tour in Afghanistan and one tour in the Arabian Gulf, is now stationed at U.S. Pacific Command.

“I think it’s very important to bring light to the situation,” Pollock said. “People come back who have physical and mental problems, so we need to make sure we take care of our guys when they get back.” When asked how it felt to be honored by such a large group of people, he responded, “It always feels good when you’re appreciated for your hard work.”

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