Briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
ARMY
Chief of staff visits troops
Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, Army chief of staff, visited soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army, Hawai'i, on Nov. 9, having lunch at a Schofield Barracks dining facility and attending a promotion ceremony at division headquarters.
Shinseki asked about life at Schofield and encouraged soldiers to pursue higher education. The general also told soldiers the leadership training they pursue while on active duty is a valuable asset in the civilian world.
Residents to watch training
Residents of Mililani Mauka are invited to the home of neighbor Mike Raymond on Dec. 8 to watch training exercises at East Range and see for themselves what the soldiers are doing when they make all that noise.
Raymond's house is a vantage point for watching activities on East Range as well as the flight patterns of military aircraft, said City Councilwoman Rene Mansho, a coordinator of the event.
The Army and the Mililani Military Affairs Advisory Committee have arranged for residents at the house to listen in on radio communications for exercises at East Range, Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield.
The demonstration is designed to let residents know what constitutes normal activities during an exercise.
"We've had a few calls," Mansho said. "Reports of noise or purple smoke, that sort of thing."
The event will be from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the cul-de-sac in front of Raymond's house, 95-202 Holokia Place in Mililani.
Those who wish to attend should RSVP to Rene Mansho's office at 224-4073 by Friday.
Barrier-building project ongoing
Soldiers are constructing 2,500 concrete barriers weighing more than 5,000 pounds each to be used on installations throughout O'ahu.
More than 1,500 of the high-strength, reinforced concrete barriers have been completed.
The mission is in response to increased force protection measures since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
MARINES
Bike dealers honor general
The Hawaii Motorcycle Dealers Association presented its highest honor to Brig. Gen. Ralph E. Parker during its annual convention this month.
Parker, deputy commander for Marine Forces Pacific and former commander of Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, was selected for the Alfred M. Montgomery Award for his role in promoting and supporting motorcycle safety.
"Right from the start, Brigadier General Parker made a difference by doing things like making helmets, gloves, reflective vests and other protective gear available in the exchanges on the Marine Corps base," said HMDA President Robert Becker. "He also made protective gear part of the proper uniform, included motorcycle safety in every safety stand down and emphasized the importance of motorcyclist awareness to the nonmotorcycling public."
