A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers prepares to land at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (DMA HINB)

See the full photo gallery here.

The shadows of the Iraq War have long stretched far across the world, but this week that chapter finally came to an end. Though the conflict was ongoing for the entirety of my young adult life, in the early days I never thought that it would strike close to home. I was just a high school junior when the war began with the U.S. military’s invasion of Iraq on March 20th, 2003. Never did I imagine that eight long years later, I would be standing at the flight line on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, watching a C-17 bring home members of Hawaii’s 25th Infantry Division, who were some of the last troops out of Iraq.

There is a name that has stood out for me since 2004, when my grandfather was interred in a niche at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater. Before that, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were merely scenes on the television and words in news articles to me, as I had no real personal connection to the military aside from my World War II veteran grandparents. After losing my paternal grandfather in December of 2003, and my maternal grandmother in January 2004, I became a frequent visitor to Punchbowl, especially after moving to Oahu to begin college during the fall of 2004. The courtyard of niches was new at the time, and upon each visit, more and more names would appear on the white marble slabs, though the birth and death dates revealed that most of these were veterans and spouses who had lived full lives. One day though, merely ten spaces away from my grandfather’s resting place, a niche labeled MEDINA caught my eye. It wasn’t the name itself that drew my attention, it was the word and the dates below it: IRAQ, 1972-2004.

Staff Sgt. Oscar Medina, as my research tells me, had been a part of the 25th Infantry Division’s 84th Engineer Battalion, and died on May 1st, in Al Amarah, Iraq, when his convoy was ambushed. About two weeks later, he was the first Iraq War casualty to be interred at Punchbowl. I remember feeling a little stunned as I was finally struck with the reality of the war. From then on, whenever I visited my grandparents with flowers, I would take a moment to read his name and reflect.

The years passed by, and the Iraq War, officially called Operation Iraqi Freedom, continued to take the lives of the United States military, sometimes temporarily through deployment, and too often permanently, as our heroes like Staff Sgt. Oscar Medina made the ultimate sacrifice. Politics aside, the war has left its mark on the lives of many Americans, including me, much to my surprise. Without it, I might have never met my husband, Edward, who is an Iraq War veteran himself. Due to an injury he received while serving in Iraq (where he survived nine IED explosions as a humvee driver in the Infantry), he got the opportunity to transfer to Hawaii, and I will forever be thankful for that.

On December 18th, 2011, with my husband by my side, I watched the C-17 approach against the brilliant sunset backdrop. Three days earlier, the war in Iraq had been officially declared over by U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta during a ceremony in Baghdad. After landing, the military personnel aboard took a moment to raise the American and Hawaii flags before taxiing to the flight line, where military leadership stood waiting to welcome the soldiers home after their year-long deployment. 25th Infantry Division Commander Major General Bernard Champoux was the first off the plane, saluting as he was greeted with a hug from Lieutenant General Frank Wiercinski, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific. Maj. Gen. Champoux then received a maile lei from Major General Darryll Wong, Adjutant General of the Hawaii National Guard, before leading his soldiers down the line of military and civilian greeters.

Once the soldiers were aboard their buses, we all headed up to Wheeler Army Air Field, where the families were anxiously awaiting the moment they would be reunited with their loved ones. While the soldiers went through the process of checking in and turning in their weapons in a separate room, children scampered gleefully, waving tiny American flags as the waiting spouses looked on. They sat facing a large wall covered in posters welcoming the soldiers home, and many of the children wore shirts saying “Welcome home, Daddy” or other variations of the sentiment. Every once in a while, Edward would wander off to say hi to friends who he had met during his years in the Army, many of whom had just returned themselves. Once the announcement was made that the ceremony was about to start, everyone cheered, and the returning soldiers marched into the hangar in formation while the band played.

During the ceremony, prayers were said and the Army song was sung. Lt. Gen. Wiercinski said a few brief words, and then he released the soldiers to their families. A year-long deployment is a difficult experience that I’ve had personally, and I was caught up in the wave of emotion as husbands, wives, and children were all reunited around me. I think we can all be grateful that all these families will have their soldiers home for the holidays, unlike so many who have lost loved ones to Iraq.

Thank you to all who serve and have served, and welcome home from Iraq…for the last time!

(Left to Right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong, adjutant general of the Hawaii National Guard, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, U.S. Army Pacific commander, and U.S. Army Pacific Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Leota await the arrival of the C-17 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. (DMA HINB)

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers taxi's on the flightline at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (DMA HINB)

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers taxi's on the flightline at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (DMA HINB)

Greeters watch as the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th ID Headquarters soldiers approaches the flight line.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers displays the American flag and the Hawaii State flag.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Wiercinski flashes a shaka while waiting for the 25th ID to disembark.

Maj. Gen. Bernard Champoux, Commander of the 25th ID, is the first to exit the aircraft.

Maj. Gen. Champoux salutes as he approaches Lt. Gen. Wiercinski

Maj. Gen. Champoux is greeted by Lt. Gen. Wiercinski with a hug.

Maj. Gen. Champoux is given a maile lei by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong

Maj. Gen. Champoux is welcomed home as he leads his soldiers off the C-17.

A child waits for a returning parent at the Wheeler Army Air Field.

A child plays with an American flag while waiting for the redeployment ceremony to begin.

Returning 25th ID soldiers begin to get into formation before the ceremony begins.

U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers march in formation during the redeployment ceremony at at Wheeler Army Airfield in Wahiawa, Hawaii (DMA HINB)

A young boy bows his head in prayer during the ceremony.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Wiercinski speaks during the ceremony.

A soldier is welcomed home by his wife and son.

Maj. Gen. Champoux is welcomed home by his family.

A returning female soldier holds her daughter's hand as they leave the ceremony.

Maj. Gen. Champoux, holding his granddaughter, is one of the last people to leave the ceremony.

See the full photo gallery here.

My friend Kaeo dives for a photo during sunset at my favorite Hickam beach.

I am always so proud and honored to be invited to events celebrating our country’s veterans, and today was no different.

World War II ended well over sixty years ago, but today, 87-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Arthur E. Ross was awarded a Bronze Star for “exceptionally meritorious service” in Europe.  Standing before family, friends, and members of the community, in a ceremony hosted by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Ross received his medal from JPAC commander Army Major General Stephen Tom.

Staff Sgt. Ross, who became a lawyer after serving as an infantryman in WWII, has been known throughout the Hawaii community since moving here in the early 1970s.  He was the supervisor of the Appellate Division at the City Prosecutor’s office before resuming private practice in 1988, specializing in criminal defense. Ross retired from law in 2009, after a fight with cancer that has since gone into remission, but left him requiring an oxygen tank at his side at all times.

According to Maj. Gen. Tom, who knew Ross as a friend and fellow lawyer over 30 years ago, he never knew of Ross’ heroic service until their other friend, retired Col. Tom Farrell contacted him a few months ago.  Ross had been only 20 years old when he was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge, the largest and bloodiest battle for America in WWII, which earned him the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) and a Purple Heart. Throughout his military career as a Rifleman in the 328th Infantry, Ross fought in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia, and Germany, which included the Ardennes, Central Europe, and Rhineland campaigns.  Upon learning that Ross had never received the Bronze Star, which he was eligible for due to receiving the CIB in WWII, Farrell did some research and confirmed Ross’ eligibility, which led to today’s ceremony.

With his wife and daughter sitting proudly at his side, Staff Sgt. Ross listened to his friend Maj. Gen. Tom tell the newly learned stories of his service, before standing proudly to be awarded his medal.  He then took to the podium, and it was a treat to hear the former lawyer speak.  It particularly struck me when he spoke of how his current ailments have left him with depression, but that to be finally receiving this award was a “proud and meaningful moment” in his life, even quipping that it made him want to live a few years longer. I had just been discussing with my husband how all remaining WWII veterans are almost all well into their 80s, and to hear this elderly man who has lived such a full life speak so openly about the struggles of aging, it made me tear up and miss my own grandfathers, who passed away before I ever thought to ask them about their experiences during the war. Ross went on to say that his only regret about the delay in being awarded the Bronze Star is that his parents did not live to see it happen.

After concluding his speech, Staff Sgt. Ross was joined by Maj. Gen. Tom, and they sang the Army song as the band played.

Once the ceremony was over, Staff Sgt. Ross returned to his seat.  A huge line formed, wrapping around the tent, as family, friends, his former law colleagues (including several judges), and even Honolulu’s mayor gathered to congratulate the veteran hero on his special day.

With the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks happening in just a few weeks, today was another reminder for me that we need to cherish our time we have left with our World War II veterans, who have often been called America’s Greatest Generation.  I wish Staff Sgt. Ross the best, and may the recognition of his service continue to bring him joy!

Ruddy Turnstone –  (`akekeke)

Yellow Canary

Common Waxbill

Common Mynah

Zebra Dove

House Sparrow (Center…the only one I saw all day!)

House Finch

Cattle Egret

Java Sparrow

Japanese White-eye (mejiro)

Brazilian/Red-crested Cardinal

Northern Cardinal

Golden Plover (kolea)

Hawaiian/Black-Necked Stilt (Ae`o)

Spotted Dove

Red-Vented Bulbul

Of course there are many, many more types of birds in Hawaii, but I thought this was a pretty impressive selection for our suburbs – sixteen different kinds of birds in one afternoon. I’m going to keep an eye out for other types of birds every time I go walking now, and maybe will branch out into bird-watching in other parts of the island! I am genetically inclined to have naturalist tendencies, so I am surprised it took me this long to start ‘collecting’ birds here. It was like playing Pokemon Snap all over again.

Check out Hawaii Navigator and AlohaFriendPhotos.Com for more photos and names of local birds!

Thank you to all the veterans out there for serving our country!

Captain Jack Webb, United States Army Air Corps/Air Force

Sgt. George Ing, United States Army

1st Sgt. Frederick Nagata, United States Army

Sgt. Edward White, United States Army

Someone remind me to take a better portrait of that last guy in uniform before his ETS date next year!

Well, actually, here is the prologue film photo:

You see, there were child rides scattered throughout Aloha Tower Marketplace, and he decided to cram himself in there.  This first one was a tight fit for him, and he wriggled out as soon as we threatened to start it up with some quarters.

So, when we were leaving, and he came across this slightly more spacious ride, he just couldn’t help himself:

He is so proud of himself.

Yep, that’s my husband.

What can I say, I’m still madly in love with that guy!

Good thing he’s a handsome fellow.

So, after that ridiculousness, here are some scenes from today to serve as palate cleansers:

Again, don’t forget to check out the roll of film I shot today!

Hopefully blogging will pick up from now on…I’m planning on doing NaNoWriMo again this year, so we’ll see if that improves my writing habits.

In August, I spent a couple days photographing local rock band Kings of Spade and friends during the rehearsal for their Amy Winehouse tribute concert, as well as the show itself. Click the links to see my full galleries on NonstopHonolulu.Com, or check out a few of my favorites below:

I also got to cover the red carpet premiere of Hawaii 5-0′s second season for Nonstop as well. It was a fun afternoon of seeing some of the show’s stars up close and personal!

Finally, here’s some last glimpses of summer skies…I realize we’re well into fall now, so bring on the winter storms!

• Model: Amanda Li Paige
• Photographer: Dallas Nagata White
• Photo Assistants: Gabriel Yanagihara & Kaeo Kepani
• Hair and Make-up: Erica Elisha
• Stylists: Erica Elisha & Dallas Nagata White