HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As we celebrate freedom and democracy, one former Hawaii politician has a job perpetuating patriotism and freedom around the world.

Former Hawaii Congressman Charles Djou played a leading role in last month’s 80th anniversary of D-Day events as secretary and chief executive of the American Battle Memorials Commission.

At the June 6 commemoration at Normandy Beach, Djou was the first speaker before President Emmanuel Macron, of France, and U.S. President Joe Biden — where he said Americans defend freedom in foreign lands, but then brings its soldiers home.

“All that America asks for in return for the sacrifice of our brave and our young and our finest is a few small plots of land to bury our dead,” he said.

Despite his time in Congress and in Afghanistan as an officer with the Army Reserve, Djou said the D-Day ceremonies were humbling.

He was surrounded by surviving veterans, high-ranking officials and politicians and even Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

“I did not sit next to Tom Hanks. My wife and daughter sat next to Tom Hanks,” he said, laughing.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda said she was excited to see Djou representing Hawaii at the events.

“You had Secretary Austin, you had Secretary Blinken, and you had Secretary Djou,” she said. “I mean, you know, to see a local boy of such prominence.”

The American battle monuments commission oversees 31 memorials and cemeteries in 17 countries, including the Honolulu Memorial, which surrounds the statue of Lady Columbia in Punchbowl.

A former Republican who supported Biden over Trump, Djou was appointed to the job about two years ago. But he said why isn’t clear to him.

“The short answer is, I don’t know. I mean, all political points are a little bit of a black box, no matter where you get appointed,” he said.

No matter how it came about, he says the job suits him.

“I love telling the story of American history,” he said in an interview with Hawaii News Now. “I believe in our country, and I believe in American honor, and this agency has this just amazing job to present the history of America and American service. And so for me, it’s, it’s humbling and exceptionally rewarding.”

Because he actively campaigned against Trump four years ago, Djou doesn’t expect to keep the job long if the president isn’t re-elected. But for a 54-year-old who’s been in Congress, the Legislature and the City Council, he’s accustomed to changing careers.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.