Last week the Hualalai Resort played host to some of America’s greatest heroes. Forty of the United States Medal of Honor recipients wrapped up a hectic, weeklong schedule of events in O’ahu with some needed rest and relaxation at the gorgeous Four Season’s Resort at Hualalai. One of the highlights of their visit was a reception on Sunday evening honoring their achievements.
At the heart of that celebration was a member of the Hualalai Ohana and one who embodies the Hawaiian spirit. Melo Clarke was asked to make an aloha shirt for each of the recipients. Each of the shirts was designed and sewn by Melo herself. “As I was sewing each of the shirts, I was filled with awe for what each of these heroes had done to be honored with this award. I wanted to give something back to them, so I sewed each shirt with the spirit of aloha.”
At the reception honoring the recipients, Melo had a chance to meet, mingle and embrace many of these heroes. The joy on their faces, bubbly conversation and the clear display of their inner glow confirmed that Melo, Hualalai and Hawaii had succeeded in filling them with the spirit of Aloha. In some small way, our nation’s greatest heroes were rewarded for their service to the country by receiving back part of the American experience they protected in the unique character and spirit of the Hawaiian Islands. She said, “We are so honored and blessed to be able to provide our spirit of aloha to these wonderful guys. I am humbled to meet these amazing men and to get to know them and give them a memento of our Islands.”
In this photograph, Melo is surrounded by a group of our nation’s military heroes wearing her shirts. One of the veterans pictured with Melo is Navy Seal Thomas Norris, whose story is dramatized in the movie Bat*21, starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover. Norris presented Melo with his Challenge Coin Sunday evening, the commemorative coin which all Medal of Honor recipients are given at the time of the award. Though it seldom happens, Melo was practically speechless at this gentleman’s gesture. “Wow. I really cannot say a thing,” she told us later. “That this hero would give such a memento to me is almost inconceivable. I am so humbled.”
In this photograph, Melo is standing with Ronald E. Rosser, one of our Medal of Honor recipients, decked out in his Melowear Hawaii Aloha shirt. As a Corporal in the U.S. Army, Ronald Rosser was awarded our nation’s highest military honor for conspicuous gallantry and bravery in an intense firefight during the Korean War.
In this photograph, Melo is surrounded by a group of our nation’s military heroes wearing her shirts. One of the veterans pictured with Melo is Navy Seal Thomas Norris, whose story is dramatized in the movie Bat*21, starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover. Norris presented Melo with his Challenge Coin Sunday evening, the commemorative coin which all Medal of Honor recipients are given at the time of the award. Though it seldom happens, Melo was practically speechless at this gentleman’s gesture. “Wow. I really cannot say a thing,” she told us later. “That this hero would give such a memento to me is almost inconceivable. I am so humbled.”
“It was a great honor to create aloha shirts for these amazing heroes, the ‘Medal of Honor’ recipients.” Melo Clarke – Melowear Hawaii
Thanks Mike Kozlak
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