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# Brig. Gen. Suzanne P. Vares-Lum: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

By U.S. Pacific Command Public Affairs

***She has a key role in the Pacific Command’s effort to shape and maintain regional security by developing diplomatic, economic, and military policies. This includes building and maintaining military-to-military and political-military relationships among the 36 nations within the Pacific region.***

**What influenced you to join the Army?**

 A lot of it was the influence of my dad, who is from Maui and grew up on a plantation in Pa’ia.  During World War II, there were bases, runways and training areas on Maui. He joined the Army after high school and was stationed in Japan before going to Vietnam. Dad settled on Oahu when he came home, and watched a lot of movies about the military – what struck me was the heroic acts of people. That really drew me to the military -- I wanted to challenge myself and be part of something bigger than myself. It’s remarkable to do so in the act of service. That’s what I learned from him. I went through ROTC at the University of Hawaii and loved every minute of it. 

 Growing up, I liked bringing people together in groups, but true leadership is always challenging. How do you motivate people? How do you instill loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, personal courage? – those challenges and the people who serve also attracted me to the military. You’re serving with like-minded people -- service brings us together.  The brotherhood and sisterhood of military service members is amazing.  

**Who are some of the role models that have influenced you?**

 I would definitely say Senator Daniel Inouye, a Japanese-American who volunteered to serve in World War II and served in the 100-442nd Regimental Combat Team. He lost his right arm in Italy fighting against the Germans, and received the Medal of Honor. He had been hit with a grenade, and with his good hand, he had taken a grenade that was still gripped in his dismembered hand and threw it into an enemy machine gun nest. It’s that kind of courage, presence of mind - that kind of strength that just inspires me. He was in recovery for a very long time, and it was during that time that he decided he would continue to serve, so he ran for office. He became the longest-serving member of Congress, the most senior senator serving prior to his death a few years ago. So talk about a life of service, all the way until his last day. 

 I also admire Myron “Pinky” Thompson. He was a Punahou graduate before he joined the Army in 1943. He lost his eye on the beaches of Normandy, and as he was healing, he reflected on his life and also decided he would continue to serve. He got his degree in social work to help the underprivileged population of Hawaii. He worked for the Department of Human Services, became a director of the Liliuokalani Trust, and a lot of different benevolent organizations. That’s a life of service -- very inspiring. Even in the face of danger and being injured, it can change your life for better or worse; they chose that path of service. They felt gratitude for the chance to live...that’s the spirit of a true warrior.  

**Which assignments were really memorable to you?**
When the 29th Brigade, Hawaii National Guard was deployed in 2004, that was the first time the unit was deployed since the 1968 call-up for Vietnam. I was the first female S2 (Military Intelligence Officer) for the Brigade, so I’m really honored to have been given that opportunity. We had the mission in Iraq and I ran the Joint Intelligence Center for LSA (Logistics Support Activity) Anaconda. We had a joint intel center that looked at the problem sets in and around securing the base and protecting attacks. That was Operation Iraqi Freedom 3, and we north of Baghdad along the Tigris River. OIF 3 was the height of Improvised Explosive Device attacks, and that was pre-surge...it was an interesting time.
**What does heritage mean to you and how will you reflect on it this month?**

 My mom is from Japan and my dad’s family line is Hawaiian, Portuguese, Tahitian, Chinese and English - very mixed. I feel as Senator Inouye did, who said that one day he hoped we don’t have to have a hyphen when speaking of Chinese-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Asian-Americans...how about if were simply called “Americans?” But his comment was that maybe we haven’t fully arrived yet, though we’ve come a long way. 

 It’s great to celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds; sometimes in our history we don’t necessarily hear about those of Asian-Pacific Islander heritage.  . Many around the US may be unfamiliar with the Filipino guerrillas during World War II and their contributions; you can go around history classes in the United States and you’re not going to learn about the 100 Hawaiians who fought in the Civil War that were recruited from here when it was the Kingdom of Hawaii. Some are often surprised to hear that Hawaii was a kingdom before it became a territory. I think it’s worthwhile to reflect on contributions made by people like General Shinseki, former Chief of Staff of the Army who was born and raised on Kauai. 

**As far as your heritage, is there anything that you draw from that culture that helps you along in the day-to-day of your life or career?**

 Being from Hawaii, we can look at our organizations as an Ohana, which fosters a sense of unity. PACOM is our family and we care about people because it’s the people who make a difference. We focus on our equipment sometimes, and we need to; but it’s the people who use the equipment, who fly those planes, pilot those ships – people write the plans, conduct the missions, negotiate and they are the ones who matter. I really believe that. 

 I think since we’re in Hawaii those values of Aloha are in-line with our values in the military, because it focuses on unity, humility and selfless service.  

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