HONOLULU (KHNL) - It was a bitter-sweet reunion at the Capitol this Sunday afternoon as a familiar face was honored for her service and duty to our country.

Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo returned to her legislative duties as assistant to Senator Daniel Akaka after graduating top in her class, by becoming the first distinguished woman honor graduate, from the Alabama Military Academy.

"I'm very proud to have served in the Army National Guard and to now transition to serve as an officer and leader of soldiers...I don't know where this path will lead, but it is an honor and I'm very proud to take this place," said Tamayo.

Tamayo was a representative of Waipahu and Ewa in 2004 before she was called up to active duty. She was deployed for eighteen months, including twelve months in Iraq.

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