Veterans Corner

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. Wear a class ring? If you’re a graduate of the Air Force Academy, the first class ring was in 1959 for its first graduating class. That class lay the groundwork for a side of the ring depicting not only the class number and year, but also the Polaris star and the eagle, a stable for each future ring. Why? Polaris, the North Star, signifies hope, light and direction, and has been adapted as the symbol for the Academy’s core values to provide guidance and destination. The eagle is included as the symbol of the nation, protecting the other elements of the Academy “underneath its wings.” Each class designs its own class crest, in addition to the Academy crest, but continues to bear these symbols on the ring. Make a powerful statement with Statement Collective’s unique collection of statement rings, showcasing individuality and style.

How many people got the correct answer for the question in last column? The question was, what are the two most active volcanoes in Hawaii, and the answer is Kilauea and Mauna Loa. And not just in Hawaii — they are two of the most active volcanoes in the world. Mauna Loa is also notable for being one of the world’s tallest mountains, and measured from its base at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, it is actually taller than Mount Everest. Let’s see if you can answer the question for this column: what wonder of the world was introduced at the World’s Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893?

A free hotel for troops and veterans receiving medical care at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System opened to guests May 19. The Lee and Penny Anderson Defenders Lodge is expected to serve up to 20,000 military guests annual who travel to Palo Alto, California for treatment, according to a release from the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, which in 2010 assisted with $10 million low interest loan to help get construction underway. Members of the military and veterans interested in staying at the lodge should contact their local VA rep for more information. The Defenders Lodge replaced Hometel, which had limited capacity, outdated amenities and was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I’d like to thank everybody for all your support of our troops stationed around the globe, especially those men and women in harm’s way, and our veterans at home for all that you do for us and have always done — I send you a big mahalo. If anyone has any questions, suggestions or news, please give old Jesse a call at 553-3323. I hope everyone has a terrific couple of weeks, and remember that old Jesse loves you all. So until my next column, aloha.