Mr. Lynn B. Mariano was elected Senior Vice Commander of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Hawaii on
June 14, 2025 at the 87th VFW Department of Hawaii Convention in Kilauea
Military Camp on the Big Island of Hawai'i.
Lynn served in the U.S. Army from June 4, 1978, until his retirement on July 31, 1995. His last assignment was with the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He earned his VFW eligibility through service in the Republic of South Korea, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and various classified combat special operations forces missions and contingencies. Additionally, he received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service for his contributions at the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) from November 2008 to March 2015. His significant achievements in the multi-year $250 million Pentagon Sentry Program, Pentagon Shield Program, Pentagon Master Plan, Pentagon Anti-Terrorism Plan, and Pentagon Transportation Master Plan greatly enhanced the security of the Pentagon and over 90 other Department of Defense leased facilities, all delivered on time, under budget, and to the highest standards.
In 1990, Lynn became a VFW Life Member at VFW Post 8469 in Virginia. In 2015, he returned to his birthplace in Honolulu, HI, and transferred to VFW Post 8616, Waikiki Post. Lynn has held various key positions within the VFW, including Finance Committee Chairman at Post 8469 and Buddy Poppy Chairman, Senior Vice Commander, and Post Commander at Post 8616. As Post Commander, he led his post to achieve All-State and All-American status in the following years: 1999-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025. Notably, during 2021-2022, while running for Governor of Hawai’i, Lynn was elected Senior Vice Commander under the leadership of Commander Wayne Yoshioka, and Post 8616 earned All-State and All-American status. In 2023-2024, Lynn was elected Junior Vice Commander for the Department of Hawaii, contributing to the department's All-American status. On June 14, 2025, he was elected Hawaii Department Senior Vice Commander for the 2025-2026 term.
Lynn holds the following degrees and certifications:
BA in Psychology with a minor in Business, Chaminade University of Honolulu (1978) MBA in Business Management, Golden Gate University, Monterey, CA (1985)
Distinguished Military Student and Graduate, University of Hawaii ROTC (1978) Outstanding Student of the Year, Chaminade University (1978)
Certificates: U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; U.S. Army Combined Arms Service Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, KS (1985); Joint Special Operations Staff Officer Course, Hurlburt Air Force Base; Special Operations Staff Officer Course, Fort Bragg, NC (1985); Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government (COOP/COG) (1990 and 2025); and numerous FEMA and DHS courses in emergency management, radiological emergency preparedness, chemical stockpile emergency preparedness, terrorism prevention exercise preparedness, tactical interoperable communication exercise programs, and homeland security exercise and evaluation programs.
On June 13, 2025, after more than 50 years in the workforce—including service in the U.S. Army, as a small business owner (Financial Planner), in Civil Service, and as a Government Consultant with AMENTUM LLC—Lynn retired as a Subject Matter Expert in Continuity of Operations, Continuity of Government, and Command and Control
(COOP, COG, C2) at Headquarters U.S. INDO-PACIFIC Command (USINDOPACOM), Camp H. M. Smith, HI. In recognition of his service, Lynn has received numerous awards, including:
Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award); Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Achievement Medal (4th Award); Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd Award); Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award); Army Superior Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award); Kuwait Liberation Medal; Parachute Badge; Royal Australian Army Parachute Badge; Korean Defense Service Medal; numerous certificates of commendation and achievements.
Beyond his military and professional accomplishments, Lynn actively supports his community by volunteering with organizations such as the Ala Moana and Kaka’ako Neighborhood Board #11, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and as an ukulele instructor for seniors at Makua Ali’i Senior Center. He also teaches ukulele to patients undergoing rehabilitation for post-traumatic brain injury at Kuakini Rehabilitation Center of the Pacific. Lynn serves as Regional Representative for the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA), Vice President of the Special Forces Association MSG Earl Kalani Chapter VIII, and Vice President for Hawai’i America 250th Commission Committee, aka "Hawai’i America250.” As a professional ukulele musician, Lynn performs traditional Hawaiian music with Mr. Barry Choy as part of the duo "Hale Hou” (Home Again).
Lynn and his wife, Jade, currently reside in Honolulu, HI.
