Army museum opens Shinseki exhibit
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
The Army unveiled a biographical exhibit yesterday honoring Gen. Eric Shinseki, the first Hawai'i native and Asian American to attain the four-star rank as well as achieve the highest uniformed position of leadership in the Army — chief of staff.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
The permanent exhibit at the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii in Waikiki includes the retired general's West Point uniform, his pistol when he served as chief of staff, a baseball glove from his childhood on Kaua'i and a photo of him handing his wife, Patricia, yellow roses on the day he retired last year.
Retired Gen. Eric Shinseki views the exhibit that honors him at U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki. Shinseki served as Army chief of staff under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
With characteristic humility, Shinseki devoted most of his remarks at the opening to praising his wife, his family, friends and comrades for their guidance and sacrifices during his 38-year military career.
"I'm humbled that you would find all of this interesting," Shinseki said. "It's a great American story rather than a story of one person."
Shinseki, 61, who served as Army chief of staff under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, said he always remembers the advice given to him by retired Army Lt. Gen. Allen Ono: "Don't screw it up."
Born to Japanese-American parents during World War II, Shinseki went to Kaua'i High School and was nominated to West Point by Sen. Dan Inouye. He received a master's degree in English literature from Duke University and taught in the English department at the U.S. Military Academy.
Shinseki had two combat tours in the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions in Vietnam and lost part of his right foot from battle injuries. He later served as the commander of Army forces in Europe and of NATO peacekeepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Shinseki became chief of staff in June 1999 and helped lead the military as it responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and in the war in Afghanistan and the war with Iraq.
He has been instrumental in planning for the Army's transformation into a more flexible fighting force with the six new Stryker combat brigades centered on eight-wheeled armored vehicles. One of the brigades is planned for Hawai'i.
Shinseki shook every hand at the opening and signed every book presented to him as he walked through the exhibit. Looking through all the moments of his past, Shinseki said his future is uncertain.
Because of his experience, leadership ability and stature, there has speculation that he would make a good candidate for political office. However, he said he has no political aspirations at this time.
"I have some other responsibilities to take care of, and I'm going to look after them. Then, you never know," he said. "Right now there are more questions than there are answers about what's next. But we are keeping as flexible and as many options as possible."
Shinseki's cousin, Anne Yamada, attended the ceremony along with about 100 other people, including a dozen active and retired generals. Yamada bought 11 copies of the new biography "My Name is Shinseki ... And I am a Soldier," written by Richard Halloran, and waited in line for the general to sign them.
"We are all very proud of him," Yamada said. "We have always been proud of him."
Retired Maj. Gen. Herbert E. Wolff, president of the Hawai'i Army Museum Society, said Shinseki is a role model for Hawai'i youth and the exhibit will be seen by hundreds of schoolchildren who regularly visit the museum.
"We hope all the people of Hawai'i will find time to visit the museum and pay their respects to this great American and Hawai'i native," Wolff said.
Jordan Spangenbert, 12, visiting from Hermiston, Ore., with his family, stumbled across yesterday's ceremony. He stood and listened to the speeches and came away inspired.
"To me, he said you can be the first to do anything you want," Spangenbert said. "He was the first Hawai'i-born head honcho of the Army. Someday we will have the first woman president. You don't know unless you try."
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
