The 2014 Hawaii Medal of Honor Ceremony

by Lisa Davidson, Senate Minority Blog, March 25, 2014 

In a joint session of the Hawaii State Legislature held in the House Chambers on Tuesday, March 25th, the public, families, and legislators gathered to commemorate the 2014 Recipients of the Hawaii Medal of Honor.

The medal was designed by Sergeant First Class Aaron Pollick, recently retired from the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Speakers including Governor Neil Abercrombie, House Speaker Joseph M. Souki, Major General Darryll D.M. Wong, Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, and Kahu Kordell C.L. Kekoa honored the memory and families of four soldiers: U.S. Army Sergeant Tofiga J. Tautolo, U.S. Air Force Captain Reid K. Nishizuka, U.S. Army Sergeant Drew M. Scobie, and U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Balli.

The traditional 3-Volley Salute was presented by the Hickam Honor Guard. Before the Retiring of the Colors, the Marine Forces Pacific Band played a moving rendition of Taps. We can only hope that after 12 years of continuous military engagement, the U.S. military and the Hawaii ‘ohana may begin a period of peace.