Guard conference hit
by effects of Katrina

Some participants are unable to come
to the isle meeting due to relief efforts

Hurricane Katrina's massive devastation is preventing some National Guardsmen from attending their annual conference in Hawaii.

But thousands of others are expected to travel to the islands for the 127th National Guard Association of the United States conference starting Wednesday at the Hawai'i Convention Center, said Maj. Charles Anthony, spokesman for the Hawaii National Guard, which is hosting the conference.

"Is it having an impact? Yes. Is it having a significant impact? Absolutely not," he said. "It's most definitely still on."

For example, only six of 121 delegates from heavily damaged Mississippi will not be coming to the meeting in Honolulu, which expects to draw more than 3,500 delegates and 1,000 exhibitors, Anthony said.

Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, the National Guard's bureau chief, announced Thursday night that he also would not be able to attend the conference because of Katrina's aftermath, Anthony said.

Anthony said the conference would not drain resources from the Southeast and the Gulf Coast.

He said the conference is important because National Guard officers and retirees meet to ensure the Guard is adequately equipped and funded.

The nonpartisan National Guard Association represents nearly 45,000 current and former Air and Army National Guard officers. It was formed in 1878.

The association, which rotates locations of its meetings every year, had its 2004 convention in Las Vegas. The last time it came to Hawaii was in 1991.

Meanwhile, Anthony has said that isle guardsmen have been warned of possible deployment to help with communication, medical assistance and security in hurricane-stricken areas.

About 2,200 soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard's 29th Brigade Combat Team are serving in Iraq and Kuwait. They arrived in Iraq in late February for a year's tour of duty.