GREAT EATS HAWAII: USO HAWAII SIX STAR SERVICE SALUTE

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

USO HAWAII SIX STAR SERVICE SALUTE

USO HAWAII SIX STAR SERVICE SALUTE

STAR OF HONOLULU

ALOHA TOWER

There are some dinners and evenings that really stand out in life. Those moments when you get home and say "wow" that was an incredible and fun night with great food and people. Me and my lovely bride came home from such a night after being invited to the USO Hawaii Six Star Salute to Hawaii's finest Military Personnel. This was one of the few formal events that we ever attend. Throwing on a pair of pants, wearing a tie and jacket is foreign to me. I almost cancelled on the great people at Matson Navigation who invited us as their guests because I did not want to dress up. So glad I put on the monkey suit and went out on the high seas with the heroes that protect our country. We arrived at Aloha Tower ready to see what "formal" attire really means in Hawaii. As we crossed the street a total stranger in shorts and a tee shirt grabbed my coat collar and turned it down. "Cannot go looking like that he said". Seems that the back of my jacket collar was sticking up. We gazed out at the crowd of people waiting to register. There were tuxedos, nice suits and formal dresses. The Military men and woman dressed in their formal dress uniforms and they were beautiful. Polished shoes, medals and ribbons were all around. I ponied up to the bar for a glass of wine and as I returned to our table I saw a gentlemen with tons of colorful things on his chest. He looked at me and I looked at him. With a huge smile and slight southern draw, he put out his hand and said "hi - my name is Charlie". I introduced myself and asked him what all the colorful things were called. "Ribbons" he said. I asked Charlie how he got all those Ribbons because I was genuinely interested in finding out how they were earned and what they meant. Charlie looked at me with that big smile and said "after 32 years of doing anything they give you a little something". We had some small talk after that and then he was whisked away to others that were waiting to make his acquaintance. After a presentation of flags and our National Anthem we were taken through a canopy of swords that led to the Star of Honolulu. We boarded the ship and were lead upstairs to a beautifully decorated room that could be any nice hotel in Honolulu. We were however on a boat. What a great job decorating. The tables and place settings were colorful and decorated with care and detail. There was a program for the evening on my plate. I opened it up and what do I see. A picture of Charlie who I met earlier and asked about the ribbons. Turned out the humble southern gentlemen was a Rear Admiral and Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard 14th District. I laughed and showed the photograph and biography to my wife. "That guy I met is a freakin Admiral" I said. He did not say a word about his rank when we met. Did not mention that he was the "boss" of the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific. After a few minutes the room started to fill. Here comes Charlie walking to our table. "You son of a gun" I said. "You are a freaking Admiral". Charlie just smiled and offered his hand shake as he put his arm on my shoulder. We talked about his life, travels and career serving his country. He was down to earth, humble and a gentlemen. I can see why he has risen to such a high position and served in Washington D.C. as a Military Advisor to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. While Charlie and I talked my wife was introduced to his wife Donna. Donna is a beautiful woman with a intoxicating southern accent. Her and my wife talked and talked and they both just smiled. By the end of the evening, my wife said that Donna was one of the nicest, most beautiful and classy woman she has ever met. I had some time talking to Donna too, and I can tell you that she is remarkable in style, spirit and heart. Charlie and Donna helped make this a wonderful evening as did our hosts from Matson Navigation. Would talk more about the Matson folks but they were seated on the other side of the table and at a table next to ours. Mahalo Dorothy for inviting us to this great event.