NEWS

This year our country commemorates the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor - a day of infamy which would thrust the United States into World War II. Two months prior on October 1, 1941, an often forgotten event occurred when the First Hawaiian Infantry was reorganized by the Army into the 24th Rainbow Infantry Division and the 25th Tropic Lightning Infantry Division.

In October 2016, the 25th Infantry Division celebrated its 75th birthday with a week-long series of athletic and sports competitions to showcase the pride and achievements of its “Tropic Lightning Warriors.”

Several special events surrounded the finale on October 6. The first involved the unveiling of a unique tribute to female soldiers at the division's “United by Sacrifice” Memorial. Followed by a review of the division of over 12,000 soldiers, conducted by Admiral Harris the Commander of the Pacific Command, on the General Frederick Weyand Parade field.

The highlight of the day and the culminating event of Tropic Lightning Week was the 3rd Annual Tropic Lightning Warrior Polo Match. Hosted by the Honolulu Polo Club it involved six weeks of training and coaching for eight active duty soldiers who then engage in a highly competitive polo match. This year’s event added six new soldiers to the United States Polo Association (USPA) membership and served as an example of the efforts of the Armed Forces Committee promoting polo.

The polo game began with the division Commanding General, Major General Christopher Cavoli throwing in the ball. During halftime, two soldiers where invited from the stands to come to midfield to try their hand hitting a ball with a foot mallet for distance and accuracy. This was a definite crowd pleaser and both participants were awarded Honolulu Polo Club shirts and caps. Team Lightning (in green) prevailed over Team Strike (in red) and was presented with the perpetual Warrior Trophy by the Honolulu Polo Club.

Polo’s history in Hawaii goes back prior to 1880 and Army Polo in Hawaii is nearly as old as the USPA, with Army Polo’s organization in 1902. U.S. Army Hawaii’s Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter fielded highly competitive polo teams in the 1920s and 1930s. Perhaps the most renowned Army Polo Player from Hawaii was a young Major by the name of George Patton, whose passion for polo was only exceeded by his passion for the soldiers he later commanded during the Battle of the Bulge.

The resources of horses, time, energy and support provided by the Honolulu Polo Club members are always greatly appreciated by our military heroes. Special mahalo to Alice & Beau Broughton, Michael Ebinger, Bob Miller, Tim Fitt, Ed Moneido, and coaches Khai Agon and Allen Hoe.