Today, the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation spent time meeting with Hawaiʻi Air and Army National Guard members who traveled to Washington, D.C. from the islands to support law enforcement for yesterday’s inauguration. The 200 Hawaiʻi National Guard soldiers and airmen arrived on the East Coast over the weekend and have performed various missions to protect the nation’s capital following the violent insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
All members of the Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono along with U.S. Representatives Ed Case (HI-01) and Kaiali‘i Kahele (HI-02), expressed their gratitude to the members for their service.
Congressman Kahele, who is also a member of the National Guard, thanked the members. “I want to extend my deep appreciation to the brave men and women of the Hawaiʻi National Guard for their commitment to keeping our nation’s capital safe this week,” said Congressman Kahele. “I’m thankful also for their families who support them, even when a service member receives a last-minute order. I wish my brothers and sisters in arms safe travels home and their families peace until their reunion.”
Senator Schatz added his gratitude. “Mahalo to the men and women of Hawaii’s National Guard for always answering the call to serve our state and our country. We are grateful to these citizen soldiers and airmen for being in Washington to defend the American Experiment and ensure the peaceful transfer of power,” said Senator Schatz.
Senator Hirono echoed Senator Schatz’s sentiments. “Mahalo to the Hawaii National Guard, who came to Washington, D.C. to support the peaceful transition of power. Thanks to their service, our democracy was protected. I am grateful, and wish them safe travels home,” said Senator Hirono.
Congressman Case was also thankful for the members’ commitment. “This was a difficult but critical mission for our Guard troops, and I join my colleagues and all of Hawaiʻi in expressing our deep appreciation to our Hawaiʻi National Guard for completing the mission with such commitment and professionalism. Because of them our country was able to honor our traditions and defend our democracy in a troubled moment in our history,” said Congressman Case (HI-01).