JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Cpl. Thomas Hoerauf, a graphics specialist with Combat Camera and native of Vernonia, Ore., said he was excited when he heard Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel would visit Hawaii service members, and looked forward to having the opportunity to ask a high ranking official a question.
Inside Hangar 19 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hagel visited approximately 200 Hawaii-based military members from all branches to talk to and answer questions regarding topics that concern those who serve, May 30.
Hagel, a former infantry noncommissioned officer who served in Vietnam and was awarded two Purple Hearts, discussed military budget cuts and their effect on service members’ futures.
Hoerauf said he viewed the opportunity to meet Hagel as a “going away present” since he is at the end of his active service.
“I was really excited to hear about his visit,” Hoerauf said. “His experience as a Vietnam War veteran is beneficial to have in office.”
The service members stood in formation listening to Hagel as he casually addressed them in front of a F-22 Raptor stealth fighter aircraft.
Hagel began by empathizing with service members, saying he understood their struggles due to his own experiences. He also thanked them and their families for their sacrifices.
Hoerauf said he wanted to ask Hagel about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ progress being backlogged and what was being done to streamline the process, and was glad to get an answer right from the source.
“It needs to get fixed,” Hagel said. “We’ll do more, you have my word.”
Hoerauf said Hagel’s response felt direct, saying that the department wants to make the claims process digital, since right now everything they do is on paper and that’s outdated.
“He said that he would fix it,” Hoerauf said. “I liked hearing that straight answer.”
Among other topics, Hagel discussed cyber threats, military members’ welfare and the military’s shift of focus to the Pacific.
“We are increasing our assets and rebalancing into the area,” Hagel said. “We have made some decisions to put Marines in Australia, Japan and Guam.”
At the end of questions, Hagel handed out his challenge coin to every service member in the hangar, shaking hands and personally greeting them as they smiled for a photo.
Hagel finished talking to the service members with a joke.
“It’s just too bad you’ve been assigned here,” Hagel said. “I know you’ll struggle through it. Good luck to you, much success to you and thank you.”