U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., will be the keynote speaker at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's 57th annual Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Nov. 11. The theme of this year's ceremony is “;Honoring Those Who Served,”; paying tribute not only to the veterans of all wars, but also honoring those now in the Armed Forces. Another speaker will be Steve Muro, director of field programs for the National Cemetery Administration.

Reservists and National Guard members who claim Hawaii as their state of residency can obtain an exemption from the motor vehicle weight taxes, said Rep. K. Mark Takai, the coordinator of the state Legislature's military appreciation package and an officer in the Hawaii Army National Guard.

The new CS-L-50A form, motor vehicle weight tax exemption for National Guard and Reserves, is being distributed by the state Department of Defense, Takai said. Reservists and active duty personnel living on Kauai, on the Big Island or in Maui County should check with their respective car registration offices for the weight tax exemption forms. Those who already paid their vehicle registration can receive a pro-rated refund of weight taxes.

The CS-L-50A form should be completed by reservists and certified by their unit commanders or authorized representatives. Honolulu will only accept the original blue forms that were provided to the State of Hawaii Department of Defense. No duplication of the form will be permitted. Similar to the current CS-L-50 (for active duty personnel), the form is required each time an exemption is being requested.

Vehicles leased to the qualified reservists also qualify for the weight tax exemption. As long as the qualified member is noted as one of the registered owners, the reservist husband, reservist wife, and reservist adult child are each entitled to one vehicle weight taxes exemption.

Brig. Gen. Alan R. Lynn, chief of staff for the Defense Information Systems Agency in Arlington, Va., assumed command of 311th Signal Command (Theater) at Fort Shafter, relieving Maj. Gen. Donna L. Dacier, who is retiring after 34 years of service. As commander of the 311th, Lynn will direct more than 1,900 active duty and reserve soldiers and civilian employees stationed across 14 time zones, from Japan to Maryland.

The 311th dates back to World War II, when it was activated as a signal service battalion for several European campaigns. In 1963, it became an Army Reserve command in Baltimore. In September 2006, it was reorganized and relocated to Fort Shafter.