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Fort Bragg Samoan Community Hail and Fare Well Paratroopers

The Fort Bragg Samoan Community of Paratroopers and Special Operations soldiers fare welled and welcomed some of our own who have deployed into combat and some who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. They are assigned to various Airborne and Special Operations units throughout Fort Bragg North Carolina. Deployments times varied from one-year to six months for some.

We welcome back Staff Sergeant Keresema Alaimaleata of Alofau, Sergeants Antoinette Ponafala from Vailoa and Rapi Leota from Pago Pago, Specialist Derrick Tuiasosopo from Fitiuta, and Private First Class Monty Loa from Pago Pago.

Departing into the combat zone is Specialist Filemoni Fanuaea from Malaeloa and Private First Class Tauveve Filioiali'i of Ta'u, Manu'a. Specialist Filemoni is returning after an emergency leave home during the Eearth Quake/Tsunami. This will Private First Class Filioali'i's first deployment into a combat zone.

Still deployed are Chief Warrant Officer Two Tauasose Tupua, Sergeant Major John Letuli, SFC Popo Ta'imua, Staff Sergeant Burgie Perofeta, Sergeant Gloria Sala, Specialist Desmond Niko, and Private First Class Tiatia Mealofa.

Our continued prayers for our soldiers that are still deployed for their safe return soon to their families and friends back home.

EFKAS Fort Bragg NC Sends TSUNAMI Assistance

With the devastation and the loss of lives caused by the earthquake and the tsunami, soldiers and families of EFKAS Fort Bragg North Carolina were very saddened. It was an even sadder day for the Ekalesia when the news of the death of the mother of a church member, Mrs. Moefiti Maea from Vailoatai, of injuries sustained from the tsunami.

A Fiafia Night fund raiser was held to raise whatever we can send to assist with the ongoing recovery and rebuilding effort. With the small numbers available due to deployments and other absences, $2000.00 was raised. Because soldiers and their families, to include retirees, in and around Fort Bragg come from both Samoa and American Samoa, Reverend Manaomia Tauanu'u wanted to ensure that the assistance from the EFKAS Fort Bragg is sent to both American Red Cross in American Samoa and, the Red Cross Society in Samoa. EFKAS continues to offer prayers for those who lost loved ones and for the speedy recovery of all of its people.

TOA O LE VATEATEA
EFKAS,
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Ekalesia Fa'apotopotoga Kerisiano Amerika Samoa Fort Bragg/Fayetteville celebrates its first anniversary

Submitted by CW5 Robert Kokolua Yandall

Ekalesia Fa'apotopotoga Kerisiano Amerika Samoa Fort Bragg/Fayetteville, (EFKASFBF) North Carolina celebrated its 1st Anniversary on November 15, 2009. Afterwards, the Ekalesia hosted a brunch/dinner for everyone that attended. Reverend Missionary Manaomia Tauanu'u and Faletua Se'ela also celebrated their first year as missionaries at Fort Bragg/Fayetteville, NC. This Congregations is very blessed with the musical talent of Missionary Tauanuu who has organized the church choir into one that can be easily recognized with the big choirs back home or closely match the wonderful sounds of the Kanana Fou Choir. The EFKASFBF may not have the numbers, but the sounds remind of church service in Samoa. Reverend Missionary Tauanu'u and the key leaders of the EFKASFBF have been the focal point of everything that has made this new Ekalesia a successful one today. Our many thanks to Kanana Fou, its Elders and the Missionary committee for their selection of Missionary Tauanuu.

The EFKASFBF wants to recognize members who have departed the Church due to military obligations or have retired. They were the original members who played a significant role in the formation of our EFKASFBF here in Fort Bragg/Fayetteville North Carolina. They were Major (Retired) Tauapa'i Laupola and family, CSM Tuileama Nua and family, SFC (Retired) Taisi Steffany-Alo, and many others too many to mention.

Our mission started with 159 members and we currently have 127. The EFKASFBF has 10 members, soldiers, that are currently deployed. As in any other church with military members, they constantly have their normal fluctuation of numbers as soldiers and their families come and go. The EFKASFBF has baptized 11 since it started a year ago. The following deacons are serving the EFKASFBF: Mr. Fuimaono Ponafala, Mr. Ailao Ofisa, SGT Keresema Penu Alaimaleata, SSG Faasiusiuga Taumua, SGM John Letuli and SSG Taumo Sami. New positions for key leaders of the EFKASFBF were also elected at the anniversary celebration. Reverend Missionary Tauanuu was re-elected and will continue to be the Chairman, SSG Tauamo Sami as the Secretary, and CW5 Robert Kokolua Yandall as Treasurer. Sergeant Filemoni Fanuaea was re-elected as the leader of the Choir, Mr. Anthony Lafaele as his assistant, and Mr. Tia Tiapula as the Choir Secretary. The Youth Group Leader is Mr. Falefia Ponafala with Mr. Falesa Kilisi serving as his assistant, and Mrs. Moefiti Maea as the Secretary. The Mafutaga a Tina is led by Missionary's wife, Faletua Se'ela Tauanuu.

One of the EFKASFBF ongoing project is their continued search for a church of their own. EFKASFBF is very close to finding one. The EFKASFBF is currently co-sharing times and spaces with a local church that allowed them to worship when times are available. The EFKASFBF continues to pray that one day in the near future, they will be able to gather and worship in a place they can call their own. The EFKASFBF is hoping for a place that Samoan service members and their families away from home can come together to worship and conduct fellowships, regardless of their denominations; a place where there is a piece of home is always there, and we can be at peace in worshiping and serving our Lord.