As our nation celebrates 250 years of American independence in 2026, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is proud to continue spotlighting the Marines whose stories shape not just the history of the Marine Corps but the very fabric of American society. Through our Marines Across America campaign, we are honoring the service, leadership, and lasting contributions of Marines in all 50 states.
Today, we turn our focus to Hawaii, a state rich with Marine Corps pride and powerful stories of post-service impact.
Founder, SEED (Stimulating Education and Ecological Design | Honolulu, Hawaii
Ray Aivazian III served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps (2009–2017) as a combat engineer, deploying to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province in the Sangin District. His work included route clearance, infrastructure operations, and explosive demolition—missions he later reflected on for their environmental impact.
After being reassigned to Hawaii, Aivazian developed a deep connection to the natural environment and growing concern for ocean health and habitat loss. While he loved the Marines, he found a renewed sense of purpose in environmental conservation.
Following his retirement, Aivazian studied environmental science at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, focusing on marine debris removal. He became chair of the Surfrider Foundation’s Oahu Chapter and led efforts to combat plastic pollution and coastal erosion.
In 2018, he founded SEED (Stimulating Education and Ecological Design), a nonprofit developing innovative microplastic removal technology and environmental education programs. Drawing on his engineering background, Aivazian designed buoyancy-based systems to remove microplastics from beaches and continues to collaborate with academic researchers to protect Hawaii’s coastlines.
State National Councilmember, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Hawaii | Kapolei, Hawaii
Ronald H. Schaedel Sr. served 27 years in the United States Marine Corps (1966–1993), including combat service during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm/Shield. A decorated veteran, he earned honors such as the Purple Heart, two Navy Commendation Medals, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. His final assignment was with Marine Aircraft Group 24 prior to retirement.
Following his military career, Schaedel remained deeply committed to veteran advocacy. A Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) since 1987, he has held leadership roles at the Post and Department levels and was elected State National Councilmember for the VFW Department of Hawaii in 2024.
Schaedel earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma. Now retired from the City and County of Honolulu, he continues serving veterans and his community in Kapolei, Hawaii. His story is featured in PBS Hawaii’s Honoring Our Veterans series.
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran & Cultural Steward | Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i
Submitted by Thomas Wojszynski
From the battlefields of Vietnam to the sacred landscapes of Hawai‘i, Billy Fields has devoted his life to service and cultural preservation. A U.S. Marine Corps Civil Affairs NCO (1968–1972), Fields carried the discipline and reverence learned in combat into mastering uhau humu pōhaku, the ancient Hawaiian art of dry-stack stone masonry. He is the owner of Fields Masonry in Kailua-Kona.
Over decades, Fields has worked on more than 100 cultural and historical sites across Hawai‘i, including the restoration of Hāpaiali‘i Heiau, Kūka‘ō‘ō Heiau, and Keanakamanō at Kamehameha Schools, honoring ancestral knowledge through precise alignment, ritual, and tradition. He has also memorialized fellow service members, constructing the Vietnam War Memorial (2023) and World War II Memorial (2024) at the West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery.
Highly respected for his cultural stewardship, Fields has received the Kahili Award, the Frank Haines Award, and national recognition at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Perhaps most profoundly, he has reinterred more than 2,500 iwi kūpuna, following traditional burial practices to honor ancestors and protect their mana. Through his craft, teaching, and spiritual care, Fields ensures Hawaiian traditions endure for generations to come.
Continuing the Mission in 2026
As the United States marks America’s 250th anniversary, these stories are a vivid reminder that the legacy of the Marine Corps is etched not only in history books, but in the communities where Marines live, lead, and serve every day.
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is honored to amplify these voices as part of our Marines Across America campaign—now integrated into our America250 efforts—to showcase how Marines have shaped America for 250 years.
👉 Help us continue sharing these stories and preserving the rich legacy of the Marine Corps. Your support allows us to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire future generations.
As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, Marines Across America honors the legacy of those who have served in the United States Marine Corps and the impact they’ve made—on and off the battlefield—for 250 years. This special storytelling series, part of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s ongoing efforts to preserve Marine Corps history, highlights Marines from across the country whose service and continued contributions embody the values of honor, courage, and commitment.
Through personal stories, career reflections, and community leadership, these Marines represent the enduring spirit of service that has shaped America since 1775. As we commemorate America250, we invite you to help us preserve this living history. Your support ensures that the stories of Marines—past, present, and future—will be shared with future generations.