“When they were little, my daughters called the national anthem the ‘statue song’ because they had to stand still with their hand on their heart. I’m sure there are some good alternatives, but I will always like the Star-Spangled Banner.”

Senior Chief Culinary Specialist
Hermelito Bacalla
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

“I am not going to change any of it because it is part of history and out of respect to Francis Scott Key who wrote it.”

Senior Master Sgt. Shannon Wall
PACAF A1

“After reading the question, my immediate thought reflected back to basic training, hearing Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ played throughout the quad every evening.”

Ivan Felix
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam,
ATFP

“I would not change it. The Star Spangled Banner is a very beautiful song. If you listen to music and the words… it is Americanism. It speaks of what America is, Home of the brave and land of the free.”

David Underwood Jr.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs

“My choice would be ‘America the Beautiful’ because I love the lyrics, and the Ray Charles version.”

(Provided by MC1 Donald W. Randall and David Underwood Jr.)

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“Recyclable materials. And I donate shoes and clothes to Big Brothers, Big Sisters.”

Maj. Cindy Cuencas
201st Combat Communications Group, HIANG

“Currently I am gathering all the clothes and shoes I don’t usually use. I plan to donate them to a women’s shelter.”

Gas Turbine System Mechanic Fireman Phitsamay Vilayvanh
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

“I do spring cleaning every three months because of my son. He grows out of his clothes by then. When I go on leave, I donate clothes to the Kidney Foundation Hawaii, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Goodwill.”

Chief Master Sgt. Larry Mactaggart
PACAF Band Manager

“I will be trying to reduce the amount of old files I really don’t need that take up too much space.”

Master Sgt. Brook Whetsel
15th Wing Command Post

“I will be working diligently to clean out my garage so I can finally park my car.”

(Provided by Jazzmin Williams and David Underwood Jr.)

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“With the longer deployment cycles that we’ve been hearing about, the biggest challenge is single-parenting challenges that come with deployments.”

Tech. Sgt. Alaysha Clark
15th Medical Group

“Military spouses deserve every opportunity to have meaningful jobs and careers and should not be hindered by the financial or administrative burden of getting a new license in their chosen career field with every PCS move across state lines. Though this opportunity is not available in all states, few do provide a temporary or provisional license to allow military spouses to work while fulfilling new requirements.”

Aviation Technician Airman Sarah Burke
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

“Since he’s on the sub (my fiancée), they’re gone all the time. In the past two months I’ve only seen him for a week. In the past three weeks, I’ve talked to him twice. The only good thing is we don’t fight because what little time we have together, we enjoy every second of it. Our biggest fight is whether our kids are going to be Alabama or North Carolina fans.”

Master Sgt. Donna Mottley
13th Air Force First Sgt.

“One challenge is when the spouse left behind doesn’t know where or who to ask for help, and if they do, they may be hesitant to ask for help. There are many opportunities such as the unit’s key spouses, the Military and Family Support Center, and the first sergeant who will reach out and help families of deployed members and provide information on upcoming events, support and dinners.”

Senior Master Sgt. Josh Turnier
HQ PACAF

“Opportunities for steady employment are a challenge facing military spouses. In today’s economy, it’s difficult for long-time residents of a particular area to find a good job, let alone a military spouse who is forced to move every few years.”

(Provided by Jazzmin Williams and David Underwood Jr.)

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“I’m going to volunteer at work and paint on all the sewers around my building (building 475), ‘do not dump’ around all the drains. This is my first time doing it but it’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to do it.”

Senior Airman Jaime Angel
324th Intelligence Squadron

“I’m going to plant a victory garden just like First Lady Obama.”

Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class (SW)
Aaron Jackson
COMPATRECONWING TWO

“Continue to recycle like I’ve been doing. Shred paper, bottles, cans, plastic bottles. I would recycle newspaper but the guy at the stand won’t take them.”

Airman 1st Class Jaclyn Malbrough
15th Aerospace Medicine Squadron

“I would like to take the time and plant flowers.”

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class
William Massey
USS Chung-Hoon

“I’m going to try to be extra-conscious and pick up any trash that I see around base.”

Tech. Sgt. Courtney Stanton
647th Air Base Group

“Use it as another opportunity to educate my son on the importance of taking care of our environment.”

(Provided by Jazzmin Williams and David Underwood Jr.)

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“It allows Americans to be more competitive in the world market as well as furthering new business ventures in the U.S. It keeps America strong.”

Lt. Timothy Harper
Executive Officer, Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor

“Math and technology are a part of our modern existence. Someone uneducated in any of these fields is placed at a significant disadvantage whenever they apply for a job and even in their daily life.”

Kristy Noyes
Military spouse

“If our students can’t keep up in these advanced areas, our country will be left behind. We are educating our future leaders.”

Operations Specialist 1st Class
Richard Vinas
Navy Reserve Recruiting Station Honolulu

“In today’s competitive world with high technology, everything we deal with includes electronics and computers. We have to start teaching our youth and our children early because they are going to be dealing with advanced technology in the future just like how we are now. In order for our children to be competitive when they grow up, and to keep our economy and our businesses to continue advancing, they are going to have to know all this high technology.”

Staff Sgt. Lisa Tysor
15th Operations Support Squadron

“So students are better prepared to succeed in today’s competitive market.”

Damage Controlman 3rd Class Travis
Divita
Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor

“It is important because it helps human beings progress in the most efficient way possible. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics manipulate the world around us to make life easier for each and every one of us. Although sometimes it might be bad and have negative outcomes, for the most part it helps with our health and advancement in the world and the universe around us.”

(Provided by David Underwood Jr. and MC1(EXW) Donald W. Randall)

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“I think that the military should provide more extra-curricular activities and a fair with the military.”

Cmdr. Jon Brzek
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

“Every adult has the responsibility to care for and protect children. It does take a village to raise a child, and I think in the military we do that a little better. Kids move around so often, and they move from school to school, so it’s hard to have that tight bond of friends.”

Master Sgt. Daniel Rea
HQ PACAF

“Hickam has a fantastic teen center, but I don’t think it gets the publicity it deserves. Teens, check out the center, lots of activities going on there!”

Culinary Specialist 1st class
Sinoe Pante
Fleet Family Readiness Program, JBPHH

“What we’re trying to do is put some extra effort, like this coming Sunday we’re having giveaways and events for the kids.

The guys that are on shore duty now, they are always out there doing something for us, so we make sure we take care of whatever’s left behind.”

Master Sgt. David Becraft
1st Sgt
735th Air Mobility Squadron

“The Air Force has done an outstanding job taking care of the military family and JBPHH is no exception. In order for us to make the quality of life of our children better, we all need to fully utilize the benefits and programs offered. By doing this and interacting with the local community, our children will continue to reap the benefits they are entitled to.”

(Provided by David Underwood Jr. and Jazzmin Williams)

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“It’s an opportunity to do something for someone other than yourself. A moment of your time could really mean the world to someone else. A homeless person you serve a meal or an Airman, Sailor or Soldier whose young family could use your old appliances, or the kid’s clothes you were going to throw out. The benefits include feeling great about yourself, and for me, it’s teaching the spirit of service to my children.”

GSE3 Dina Chelewitte
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

“We live here, we should do something to help our community get better and do better. If everyone just did one or two things to help out, it would make a difference.”

Tech. Sgt. Greg Brown
647th Civil Engineer Squadron

“To show the community that we care just as much for them as they do for us.”

Gemma Oba-Ob
JBPHH uniform shop

“(I do it) to influence the younger generation. I always go to school. My main thing is chaperoning.”

Lt. Col. Roger Gibson
Commander, Det. 1, 713th Combat Operations Squadron

“If everyone contributes to the local community, it benefits everyone, gives individuals a sense of worth and improves the environment for all to enjoy.”

HMC Andrew Jenkins
COMPACFLT

“We all know the military is a direct reflection of the U.S. We are the best of the best. We feel the need to help and guide each other. It’s important to reflect that.”

(Provided by AME1 Calori Mullins and David Underwood Jr.)

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“Harriet Tubman is my favorite female role model from history because she dedicated her life to helping others. She was a God-fearing woman who set a great example of selfless dedication. She was willing to give her life so hundreds of slaves could be free.”

CS1 Miguel Zavala
Silver Dolphin Bistro

“Amelia Earhart, because she was the first woman in aviation to be outside of the perception of what women were at that time.”

Duena Parker
Navy spouse

“Hillary Clinton. It took a strong female to run for president!”

Helen Con Parubrub
Pearl Harbor Commissary

“Philippines ex-President Corazon Aquino – for being a smart, strong woman and a hard working, loving mother.”

(Provided by Jazzmin Williams and David Underwood Jr.)

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“We just got new bicycles so we don’t have to use our cars as much. During the daytime we open up the windows as opposed to turning on the air conditioner. We turn on the fans and let the breeze pass through.”

Master Sgt. Gary James
647th Force Support Squadron

“Ensure lights and A/C are turned off when not in office or home, as well as unplug appliances not regularly used.”

Cryptologic Technician (Technical)
Seaman Holly Natale
USS Port Royal (CG 73)

“We turn off the water supply to any of our hoses when we are not using them in the deep sink in the galley.”

Senior Master Sgt. Matt Nugent
25th Air Support Operations Squadron

“Disconnected appliances, excess items like TVs, games, to reduce cost at home. We saved $160 in a month. Ensure lights not being used are turned off, incorporated end-of-day checklist to ensure this is done at work.”

Gas Turbine Systems Technician
(Electrical) Fireman Aubree Lee
USS Port Royal (CG 73)

“I turn off the lights when I leave the room. If I see the lights are on I turn it off.”

(Provided by MC2 (SW) Mark Logico and David Underwood Jr.)

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“Two cats, both domestic shorthair, easier to take care of for a dual military couple with not a big yard.”

Lewis Moore
Ship’s Engineering Maintenance Assistance Team (SEMAT)

“I have a rough collie and a Belgium tervuren. The rough collie was my son’s choice. We are lucky to have them. They have become a part of the family.”

Maj. Jacob Lukens
65th Airlift Squadron

“One standard poodle. My wife grew up with poodles and needs a pet that does not shed. I wanted a big dog. A standard poodle was available.”

Alfredo Sucaldito
Ship’s Engineering Maintenance Assistance Team (SEMAT)

“We have a lhasa apso. We bought it at Kunia Park. We were just going to take a look, and this dog came up to us. We played with it, and it was very friendly. When we’d leave, it would follow us. We came back later to buy it.”

Master Sgt. Abraham Garcia
647th Civil Engineers Squadron

“One dog, an American bulldog. My wife was ‘hounding’ me about a baby so I bought myself some time with a dog.”

Ramon Enriquez
Ship’s Engineering Maintenance Assistance Team (SEMAT)

“Japanese chin-pug mix. My daughter gave it to us. My wife was depressed because we have to put one of our dogs to sleep. So last Christmas, my daughter surprised us with this new dog.”

(Provided by MC2 (SW) Mark Logico and David Underwood Jr.)

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