Colonel Roy J. Macaraeg took the oath administered by Governor David David Ige as the Hawaii Army National Guard’s first known Filipino brigadier general.
According to KITV 4, Macaraeg is a graduate of Farmington High School. He has earned degrees from the University of Hawaii at Monoa, Touro University, and the National War College. He served 29 years at the Pentagon and was deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Kosovo.
At the ceremony in Washington Place, family, friends, colleagues, and legislators were there to support Macareaeg. According to ABS-CBN, his sister-in-law, Vetiejane Deguzman, spoke to his benevolent character and how proud she was of him. Macaraeg married his high school sweetheart, Bene, and they share a young daughter.
“You know, it’s one of those things that you look at it and go, ‘Hey, that’s like an American dream come true, right?’ So, I did a lot of reflection leading up to this promotion. I think it’s incredible. It’s been an incredible journey. I’m thankful again for the opportunity,” Macaraeg said to Balitang America. You can see Balitang America’s story below.
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