CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii – Brig. Gen. Suzanne Vares-Lum, mobilization assistant to director of strategic plans and policy for U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), will receive the Ellis Island Medals of Honor at an event on Ellis Island May 13.
The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) sponsors the Ellis Island Medals of Honor to recognize individuals who share their wealth of knowledge, show great acts of courage, display compassion and serve for those less fortunate. The honor embodies the spirit of America in a celebration of patriotism and tolerance while paying tribute to the diverse U.S. demographic honoring immigrants, nationalized and native-born citizens.
“It’s a celebration of diversity and service to our country that comes in all shapes, forms and backgrounds,” said Vares-Lum. “All of us have a story and I am just one part of that story.”
The Ellis Island Medals of Honor was established in 1986. Previous honorees include Nobel Prize winners, seven U.S. presidents, leaders of industry, and many military service members including PACOM commander Adm. Harry Harris. This year, there are 94 domestic and five international recipients.
“I am very excited to meet one of the honorees named Malala,” said Vares-Lum. “She wrote a book called ‘I am Malala.’ She stands against gender-based violence, and shows how crisis and conflict often affect women, girls and children more than other parts of the population. Those are the things I advocate for, and I am in a position now to be able to do that.”
Vares-Lum spends time outside of working hours volunteering with youth and returning to the island of Maui where she was born to speak with more than 100 ROTC cadets. She also leads the PACOM Lean-In circle, a forum for men and woman to openly discuss gender roles in the workplace.
“I’m grateful for the mentors that I’ve had, and because of that—mentorship has been my service,” said Vares-Lum. “I open my door to anyone who wants to be mentored and I go out in the community and do a lot of public speaking and engagements. Adm. Harris has allowed me to lead the Lean-In circle at PACOM, and one of my portfolio items is woman peace and security, because they have found the security and stability of a nation is a direct correlation with how women are treated.”
Outside of the mentorship Vares-Lum displays, she has made history as the first woman of Hawaiian decent to reach the rank of General Officer in the Army National Guard. Her mother is from Japan and her father is from Maui, the second-largest island of Hawaii. She comes from Japanese, Hawaiian, Tahitian, English, Portuguese, and Chinese ancestry.
As the United States and the Department of Defense celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Vares-Lum feels her diverse background is what helps to make the country strong.
“My ancestors came to Hawaii when it was still the Kingdom of Hawaii—before it was a territory and eventually a state,” said Vares-Lum. “So it’s not the typical American immigration story through Ellis Island, but it’s one of a very unique history and shows how complex American stories are. What makes this country strong is that we have so many people with different backgrounds, and yet we share this thing in common—we’re American.”
Making history, her extensive involvement in the community, women’s rights, and mentorship to service members are all reasons why Vares-Lum is receiving this honor. However, she is still driven to continue to do more.
“I feel humbled that someone like Adm. Harris would recognize and nominate me for such an honor,” said Vares-Lum. “Looking at the impressive people who have won this award and the people on this list with me; I almost feel unworthy. However, I am motivated and encouraged to do more, to live up to this honor, and if we all just did a little more, imagine what a better place it would be.”