Ryan has always been a very patriotic American. At age 14, he selected a T-shirt with the words "all gave some, some gave all."

He enlisted right after graduation.

Ryan began training at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. Upon completion of basic training, he was assigned to the Chosin, homeported at Pearl Harbor.

He was raised by his dad, a single father, who is also his best bud. Ryan's dad, Ron Cartwright of Burlington, Wis., flew to Guam on Oct. 24 to join his son on the last leg of the return of the Chosin from deployment in the Persian Gulf.

The Chosin arrived back at Pearl Harbor on Nov. 2. Ryan's brothers, twins Ross and Robb, along with the rest of his family, proudly cheered its return with loving hearts and open arms.

— Carol Cartwright

Kellen was born and raised in Pearl City. He excelled in baseball and football and graduated from Pearl City High School in 2002.

Before graduating, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He completed boot camp in November 2002 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.  Kellen had a two-week leave in December, so we got to spend Christmas and New Year's with him.

After returning to Camp Pendleton, he was deployed to Kuwait on Feb. 27. We could track him and his unit, the 1/7 Marines, on television as they charged through Iraq on their way to Baghdad with CNN reporter Martin Savage embedded in the battalion. War action was very stressful during this time for Kel's family and friends. 

I recently received my first phone call from Kellen. He was in the city of Babylon and was heading back to Najaf the next day. He and his fellow Marines are in good spirits. He is anticipating his return home, hopefully by September in time for his 19th birthday. He can expect a hero's welcome. 

His parents, Jerome and Wendy Concepcion, of Pearl City and Palolo, respectively, and brother Gavin, sisters Brittney and Paige, and the rest of his 'ohana are so proud of Kellen and all he has accomplished. We miss him dearly and await his return home.

(We love you, boy! Semper fi. Hoooorah! — Uncle Jon)

— Jon Concepcion

He will start special forces training in August.

Damien is a 1999 graduate of Mililani High School. He fought for all the freedoms that we take for granted every day.

I am proud of my son. He has experienced more during those few months than most people do in a lifetime. And I do not wish that upon anyone's child. If it was on the news, he was there. Maturity set in quickly.

After his tour of duty he came home for a visit. He was so happy to go spear fishing, and do nothing else but be at the beach. By this picture, you can see he has the spirit of Hawai'i in him. He was a model in high school and loves to do his King Kamehameha stance.

— Susan Piper

Fox News

Jesse's at left, with the president's arm on his shoulder.

Jesse considers himself lucky to have been on the flight deck when the president landed. What made it even more special for Jesse was that he actually got the honor of shaking the president's hand and having his photo taken with him.

It's a day he will never forget. Jesse considers it an honor and privilege to have been a part of making history. We are very proud of Jesse, and we continue to pray for the safe return of all the men and women serving at home and abroad.

— Debbie Canionero

Heath family photo

She was the first woman in 18 years and only the second in the history of the UH Air Force ROTC program to receive a pilot's slot.

Since her commissioning, and after nearly two years of grueling training to qualify her to fly the KC135 refueling tanker aircraft, her commitment has only grown. She serves with pride, and despite the long hours and missions over Iraq, she writes, "I believe in what we're doing. I'm trusting in my Lord and training to keep me safe."

Donna Mae is a 1990 graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and is the wife of Hawai'i Air National Guard Tech Sgt. James Chun of Mililani, who is her "hero" for supporting her in her endeavors and for his choice in serving his country on the home front.

— Anna Mae Distajo Heath