Retired Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, at right on stage, former chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees (Ret.), former Oregon adjutant general, stand at attention as the Oregon Military Honors Team presents the colors during the national anthem at Hokanson's retirement ceremony at the Medford Armory on Saturday.

Retired Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, the 29th chief of the National Guard Bureau, was honored Saturday in a ceremony at the Medford Armory, celebrating his 38-year military career and deep ties to Oregon.

The ceremony, held in the armory’s Assembly Hall, came just weeks after Hokanson’s official retirement July 31 from his position as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Hokanson, who previously served as the adjutant general of the Oregon National Guard, said he chose Southern Oregon for the ceremony to recognize the region’s significant role in his military journey.

“Southern Oregon has always held a special place in my heart; it’s the closest to home I could get, and the Oregon Guard has been so amazing to Kelly and I,” he said of his wife at the ceremony, according to a news release from the Oregon Military Department.

The event featured standard military honors, including musical performances by the 234th Army Band, presentation of medals and remarks from Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees (Ret.) and Hokanson’s son, Capt. McKinnon Hokanson.

“During his tenure as chief of the National Guard Bureau from 2020-24, Gen. Hokanson led the Guard through unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic response and numerous natural disasters,” the release said. “Under his leadership, the National Guard administered 35 million COVID tests, disinfected 71,000 facilities, supported over 1,000 food banks and delivered over 1 million meals to the American public.”

Hokanson also oversaw the Guard’s participation in the evacuation of Afghan civilians in 2021, which became the largest non-combatant evacuation operation in U.S. history.

In a farewell letter released earlier this month, Hokanson expressed gratitude for his service, stating, “It has been a tremendous honor to serve as your chief, and my wife Kelly and I are forever grateful for your faith and your support.”

Rees, who served as the Oregon adjutant general three times for a total of 17 years and held numerous high-ranking positions in the National Guard, spoke at the ceremony. He reflected on Hokanson’s journey, saying, “Personally, it’s been a great honor to have seen you both blossom and grow in each of these positions you have held throughout your 29 years as members of the Oregon Guard. For the Oregonians, the return on investment from the Oregon Military Department and the Oregon National Guard has been enormous, but I dare say that the same can be said for the National Guard of every state and territory.”

Hokanson’s career began after graduation from the U.S. Military Academy in 1986 and included combat deployments to Panama, Afghanistan and Iraq.

“His final day at the Pentagon on July 31 was marked by a traditional clap-out ceremony, symbolizing the respect and admiration he earned throughout his distinguished career,” the release said. “The Medford ceremony serves not only as a tribute to Gen. Hokanson’s service but also as a homecoming, highlighting the strong connection between the National Guard and local communities across the nation.

“Armories like the one in Medford play a crucial role in this relationship, serving as hubs where citizen-soldiers train and prepare for both state and federal missions.”