Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with Japan Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera

Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following readout:

August 31, 2017

Yesterday, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke by telephone with Japanese Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera to discuss North Korea’s missile launch on August 28.  Secretary Mattis and Minister Onodera both agreed that this launch is an unacceptable act that undermines security and stability in the region.  Secretary Mattis reaffirmed that the United States’ defense commitments to Japan remain ironclad, including its extended deterrence commitment. 

Secretary Mattis also underscored the United States’ commitment to assist Japan in enhancing its ballistic missile defense capabilities in the face of North Korea’s escalatory actions.  Both Secretary Mattis and Minister Onodera agreed on the importance of trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea to strengthen deterrence and to maintain the peace and security of Northeast Asia. 

Face of Defense: Army Guard Vocalist Makes National Capital Region Rounds

By Air Force Tech Sgt. Erich B. Smith National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 30, 2017 — Army Maj. Edgar I. Quinones-Marin, a program analyst at the National Guard Bureau, never expected to be the go-to soldier to sing patriotic songs at events and ceremonies in the national capital region. But a promotion ceremony more than 10 years ago started him on that path.

The event's honoree expressed dissatisfaction that the national anthem at the ceremony would be a recorded version. What he really wanted was a live performer, said Quinones-Marin, who had a simple suggestion: "I've sung before in school and church," he said he told the man. "I can hook you up with that."

With little preparation, he belted out the national anthem, and word got around that his talent extended past his military role.

Now, Quinones-Marin said, he averages three engagements per month at locations such as the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Archives and others.

"The biggest compliment I can get is when people tell me they get goosebumps when I sing, because they know what the song means, and they are feeling what I'm feeling when I sing it," he said.

Maintaining Focus

Quinones-Marin credits his ability to focus when singing to military discipline, as well as to a love for the performing arts he discovered as a 10-year-old in his native Puerto Rico.

"I sang in a church group with some friends, but eventually the musical director realized I stood out," he said. A solo hobby was born, and churches would turn into larger settings, such as the time he sang "God Bless America" as part of a halftime show at a Washington Redskins game in September 2015.

Though the venue was larger than anything he had done on a military installation, Quinones-Marin said, he relies on two methods when preparing for a performance: warming up the throat muscles and focusing on a small fraction of the crowd. "You can only see 20 to 25 people when you are wearing an Army service uniform cap," he explained.

Although singing in a football stadium was a memorable occasion for him, Quinones-Marin said, a chapel was the location of his most important performance.

"A chaplain asked me to sing "Amazing Grace" at Fort Myer's Memorial Chapel for Army Guard and active [component] soldiers who were killed in Iraq," he said. "It was a moment that I felt I was really bringing something to the table, trying to let them know how appreciative we all were for their service."

Spirited Approach

Though he admires a variety of renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner," Quinones-Marin said, a soldier must approach the time-honored national anthem in a spirited, yet conservative way.

"When I sing it, it's simple and to the point," he said. "It's about the story of a battle, and as soldiers we can pretty much identify ourselves with what's going on."

Army Sgt. 1st Class Sylvia Bastian, who coordinates protocol duties for the director of the Army National Guard, said Quinones-Marin is a huge draw for local promotion and retirement ceremonies in the national capital region. "He has that presence, that exuberance when he sings," she said, adding that the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect and honor reflect in his performances.

Goodwill Ambassador

Quinones-Marin said singing at area events is an extension of being a goodwill ambassador, and he encourages younger Guard members to find ways outside of their career fields to represent the National Guard.

"When you're doing what you're getting paid to do, that is to be expected," he said. "But when you are doing the unexpected, you're giving a little part of yourself that shows how great it is to be in the military, as opposed to just saying it."

Quinones-Marin said his calendar is still full, with his most recent high-profile performance being at a minor league baseball game in Woodbridge, Virginia. But one more venue, still eludes him, he added: Nationals Park, home of Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals.

"I was told by my fellow soldiers that you have to go to the minor league first. If they think you're good, then they'll bring you up to the majors," he joked.

Texas Guardsmen, Partners, Neighbors Rescue 1,000 From Floods

By Army Capt. Martha Negrelle Texas National Guard

CYPRESS CREEK, Texas, Aug. 30, 2017 — The Texas Army National Guard's 386th Engineer Battalion teamed up with Texas Task Force 1 and the Cypress Creek Fire Department yesterday to bring 1,000 Cypress Creek residents to safety from high-rising waters as heavy rains from Hurricane Harvey continued to fall.

Water levels continued to rise to dangerous and historic levels, with some areas seeing more than 5 feet of flooding. The flooding here appeared to be the worst in a handful of residential subdivisions.

"Today was a day no one ever thought they'd see," said Pfc. Adelisa Fuentes, 386th Engineer Battalion. "There was water rising up to your hips, and the further the road went, the deeper the flood was."

Texas Guard members equipped with swift-water vehicles that can safely move through about 30 inches of water and took their trucks as far as they could before dismounting Task Force boats. First responders used the boats to go through neighborhoods and bring residents to safety.

"This is what we train for," said Texas Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Patrick M. Hamilton, dual-status commander for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts. "And we're proud to stand beside our civilian partners, first responders and volunteers to serve the citizens of Texas."

It isn't uncommon to find National Guard members working or training alongside emergency first responders – it's part of their mission.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Texas Guardsmen train year-round with partner first responders such as Texas Task Force 1 so that when a disaster occurs in Texas, they are prepared.

"This is Texans helping Texans – neighbors helping neighbors," Hamilton said. "While we don't want to have to put our training to the test during a tragedy, our citizen-guardsmen remain prepared to help save lives and property, when called."

The team of soldiers and first responders took on a new dynamic in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, as local residents also pitched in to help. Those owning boats or jet skis used them to assist in transporting victims to safety. Others brought water and helped transfer people and equipment onto the National Guard vehicles.

"Watching others bring victims to safety into our [vehicles] showed how much heart people really have and that they don't just depend on us to do the work alone," Fuentes said. "All help is worth a hand in a time of need."

One man even cooked a platter of chicken, wading into water 3 feet deep to feed soldiers and volunteers – a much welcomed surprise, as most appeared to work through lunch without stopping. Dogs, cats and even a lucky stuffed iguana were passed from boats to soldiers, followed by their owners and the residents of the neighborhoods suffering from severe flooding.

Varying Emotions

Emotions were varied, with some in high spirits and others seeming overwhelmed by their new reality. One rescued woman, an emergency medical technician, had spent the previous day rescuing people all over the city from flooding. "You never think you're going to be the victim," she said. "Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

After six hours of wading through deep waters and ensuring everyone who needed help was safe, soldiers and partner first responders began to pack up. Despite the long hours and poor weather conditions, the soldiers all appeared to be energized, focused and in good spirits.

"Nothing is more important to our guardsmen than the chance to serve their local community." Hamilton said. "Helping our neighbors when they need us most is the heart of the Guard, and why we choose to become citizen-soldiers and -airmen."