SFC Tausala Faamausili is the son of the late Senator Faamausili Suiaunoa of Masefau and Masae Tupuola of Fagasa. He attended Marist Brother school in Atu'u and graduated from Fagaitua High School in 1987. SFC Faamausili has been playing for the all army volleyball team since he enlisted in 1996. Because of his experience, SFC Faamanusili has been designated as the coach/player for the 2008 all army men's team. SFC Faamausili is assigned to the 2nd Battalion 3rd Infantry regimen, Ft Lewis, Washington and been deployed to Iraq twice. Due to mission priorities, SFC Faamausili will not be traveling with the US Armed Forces team to Germany. SFC Faamausili is grateful to the Samoans at Ft Bragg for been great ambassadors for Samoa. Their ability to include the volleyball teams in its "Dawn of the Youth Fellowship" and the "Asian Pacific Celebration" is commendable and speaks volumes of Samoans military personnel at Ft Bragg.
SGT Yorhena Panama is the daughter of Reverend Ekepati Panama of Utulei and Fagatogo and the late Helena Onosa'i of Pago Pago. According to SGT Panama, her selection to the 2008 Armed Forces team, team captain for the women's army volleyball team and the all army player since she enlisted 21 Apr 04, is a tribute to her parents. SGT Panama is assigned to Charlie-Battery, 2-1 Air Defense Artillery, 31st Brigade, Ft Hood Texas. When asked about her thoughts regarding the all army team, she commented that this year's team is extra special, because of the fact that she has played with SPC Leiato, SGT Fiaui and SFC Faamausili at volley tournaments sponsored by the Sua district, Congregation Christian Church of American Samoa in the 90's. SGT Panama thanked her families and the Ft Bragg Samoan community for making the 2008 US army volleyball trials a very positive experience.
SGT Doreen Fiaui is the daughter of Aimalefoa Niuamoa & Faavevela Fiaui of Amaua, American Samoa. She attended Alofau elementary and graduated from Fagaitua High School in 1986. After receiving her Master of Arts Degree from Hawaii Pacific University, SGT Fiaui returned to American Samoa and worked for LBJ medical center. Since her initial enlistment in the US Army on 5 May 98, SGT Fiaui has deployed to the war zone three times. She is currently assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion 20th Engineer Brigade, Ft Bragg, North Carolina. When asked about her parents, she lowered her head and commented there is not a day that I don't think about my parents. SGT Fiaui is very excited about playing for the all army team and especially making the armed forces team where she will be playing with SGT Panama against the best volleyball players from other countries. SGT Fiaui is a strong supporter of soldier activities at Ft Bragg, NC.
SPC Losivale Leiato is the daughter of Tumuatasi Eteuati and Linette Leiato of Fagaitua, American Samoa. She attended Alofau elementary and a Fagaitua Vikings graduate class of 2000. After her two years at ASCC, she transferred to University of Hawaii (Hilo) where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology. SPC Leiato enlisted in the US Army on 6 FEB 2007 and is assigned to Headquarters US Army Combined Arms Center Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. SPC Le'iato is grateful for the experience gained from the all army volleyball trials as well as her participation in Ft Bragg's "Dawn of the Youth Fellowship" and the Asian Pacific Celebration. According to SPC Le'iato, "it's a pleasure meeting and spending quality times with families and friends station at Ft Bragg, NC." During her parting comments she said, "may the Lord bless Samoans at Ft Bragg, NC abundantly for being supportive and accepting us with open arms".
SPC John Quinn J.W. Taitin is the son of Fred Taitin of Samoa and Sesilia Matulino Bartley of Tafuna, American Samoa. He was born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii. SPC Taitin attended Maili Elementary and graduated from Campbell High School, Ewa Beach, Hawaii in 2004. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in June 2005 and is assigned to the 411th ECB, 9th RSC, Hawaii. He sent his love to his parents and families in Samoa and Hawaii. According to SPC Taitin, he enjoyed the fellowship with the Samoans at Ft Bragg because of the support and the love shown not only to the Samoan players but especially when they opened their houses to host the volleyball teams. He concluded by thanking his aunty Lucia Bartley for her love and support during his visit at Ft Bragg, NC.
The Samoans at Ft Bragg, NC congratulate SFC Faamausili, SGT Fiaui, SGT Panama, SPC Taitin, and SPC Leiato for their accomplishments. They also wish SGT Fiaui and SGT Panama the very best as they compete in the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) 29th World Military volleyball championship 20-29 June.
Congressman Faleomavaega Speaks at Ft Bragg's Asian Pacific Celebration
Written by MAJ Tauapai Laupola
18th Airborne Corps and the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) host the Ft Bragg, North Carolina Asian Pacific American Observance on 27 May 2008. The keynote speaker is none other than our very own Congressman Faleomavaega E.F. Hunkin.
Every year the President of the United States proclaims the month of May as the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to honor the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to the United States. According to the President's proclamation, "Asian Pacific Americans have made our country better with their talents and hard work. Their values and commitments to family and community have helped shape and strengthen America."
The program started with welcoming remarks by the Master of Ceremony, 1LT Dafoe, followed by the national anthem and the invocation. Colonel John Garrity, 16th MP BDE (Airborne) commander introduced the keynote speaker, Honorable Congressman Faleomavaega E. F. Hunkin.
Before Congressman Faleomavaega delivers his remarks, he acknowledged the presence of his nephew Staff Sergeant (SSG) Promotable (P) Tuimalealiifano, Sualauvi II, who was on his third tour to the war zone when he sustained spinal injuries that left him paralyze in the summer 2007.
Congressman Faleomavaega's remarks titled "Contributions of the Asian-Pacific American Community to our Nation." He shared an overview of contributions that Asian Pacific Americans have given our nation. To name a few, a renown physicist Dr Chien-Shiung Wu, a Chinese American lady that devoted her life in the study of beta in Physic, Dr David Ho was featured in Time magazine as its Man of the year for his research efforts to find a cure for HIV/AIDS and Dr Makio Murayama, Japanese American, who contributed to the research in the US that laid the groundwork for combating sickle-cell anemia.
He further discussed the success of Dwayne Johnson better known as the ROCK in the world of wrestling who also made a name for himself on the big screen as well as a native Hawaiian named Duke Kahanamoku who shocked the world by winning the Olympic gold medal for the US in swimming and a Samoan Polynesian kid named Salevaa Atisanoe who took Sumo wrestling to a different level.
As a former member of the US Army Reserve unit known today as the 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry, Congressman Faleomavaega said he will be remiss if he does not share the history of the most decorated combat unit of its size in the history of the United States Army.
Congressman Faleomavaega thanked those who came before us who paved the road for Asian Pacific Americans and posed the question "what is America all about?" He said that through diversity you find leadership and with leadership, there is harmony. These are the keys to the Gateway of Success. He concluded his remarks by quoting Dr Martin Luther King Jr "I have a dream. My dream is that one day my children will be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." That is what he believes America is all about.
Congressman Faleomavaega's remarks were followed by the Samoan dance group led by Sergeant First Class (SFC) Taisi Steffany-Alosu'esu'emanogi and Sergeant (SGT) Doreen Fiaui behind a ferocious, loud-thunderous chanting of the fighting tune "e moa e". The group started with the ava ceremony dance to welcome the crowd and set the mood for the rest of the performance. This was followed by the Toa o le Vaateatea's version of the war dance or what is commonly known as the Haka; as the stage tremble and the audience taken back by the war chant, the females ease their way back on stage and performed a dance to the popular sound of Sarah Jane, Le Afa Itulagi and Atogi e. At the beat of the drums, the females bowed from the stage as the boys rock the house with the slap dance or the faataupati led by Specialist PC Rapi Leota with Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Nua and SFC Faamausili holding up the right side while SFC Taisi and Staff Sergeant (SSG) Taumua the left side with SGT Lavea Haseni running around the stage encouraging the performers and show case his "tatau". The finale or the "taualuga" was performed by the honorable Congressman Faleomavaega and SSG (P) Tuimalealiifano.
The Samoan group was followed by the martial arts show, the performance by the Hawaiian hula group and the folk dances by the American Philippino group. The audience has an opportunity to feast on a variety of food from different Asian Pacific countries.
Colonel Garrity presented Congressman Faleomavaega with the Commanding Generals coin and the Iron Mike statue as a token of appreciation.
According to Congressman Faleomavaega, this has been a very rewarding five days at Ft Bragg. He was fortunate to visit and spend times with our own war hero, SSG (P) Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi II and his family, witnessed five Samoans made the All-Army volleyball team led by SFC Tausala Faamausili, visited with single soldiers and spent quality time with senior Samoan military leaders and their families.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) Totolua "Koko" Yandall, CSM Tuileama Nua, Sergeant Major (SGM) John Letuli, SSG FaasiusiugaTaumua and all soldiers and their families thanked Faleomavaega for making service members a priority in his agenda and especially taking time from his busy schedule to fellowship with Samoans at Ft Bragg as well as addressing the 18th Airborne Corps Asian Pacific Celebration. Airborne!
Ft Bragg Samoan Dancers: SFC Taisi Steffany-Alosu'esu'emanogi (Youth Minister) and family, CSM Tuileama Nua (Chairman) and family, CW5 Totolua Yandall and family, CW1 Tauasose Tupua (Secretary) and family, Lucia Bartley (Youth President) and family, SSG Fa'asi'usi'uga Taumua (Youth VP), SGT Doreen Fiaui (Youth Leader), SPC Rapi Leota & Mrs Emerald Leota (Youth Leader) and family, SGT Michael Pless and Mrs Brenda Pless (Treasurer) and family, Gafatasi Fuimaono Ponafala and Mrs Anna Ponafala and family, SFC Tausala Faamausili, SGT Lavea Haseni, SPC Jeremiah Vaioletama, PFC Nephi Isumu, PFC Meaalofa Tiatia, PFC Justin Talalotu, SPC Angel Fofoa, SGT Yorhena Panama, SPC Losi Le'iato, SPC Tulua Alefosio, Fiti Matu'u and family, Taima Tupua and family, Tiara Buckingham and family, Reverend Sani Taetuli and Mrs Mele Taetuli, SGM John Letuli, MAJ Tauapai Laupola and family.
Ft Bragg hosts "Dawn of the youth 2008" fellowship
Written by MAJ Tauapai Laupola
"When the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." ~ (Proverbs 13:12).
The Samoans at Ft Bragg, NC fulfilled a dream on 23-25 May 2008. "Dawn of the Youth 2008" was the theme fashioned by the Youth Leaders of the Ft Bragg Samoan Community to enhance the spiritual life of service members and their families and to promote the Samoan culture and language during this time of war.
Those who were able to attend included Pastor Filipo Sualevai and the Samoan Christian Fellowship of Salvation of God of Augusta, Georgia; Pastor Fatu Hugo and the Samoan Christian Fellowship of Jacksonville, North Carolina; a delegation of Samoan families and friends from Washington DC led by Dr Tapaautasi Erika Puni and Honorable Congressman Faleomavaega E F Hunkin; and a group of Samoan families and friends from Norfolk, Virginia led by Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Iakopo Poyer.
The guest speaker for this special event was Dr Tapaautasi Erika Puni who is the Director of the Stewardship Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Dr Puni is the first Samoan to be elected to this post. His ministry began as a pastor in Samoa and New Zealand. He received his MA in Religion from Loma Linda University, and a MA in Missiology and PhD in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is married to the lovely Maxine Simeti and they have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter Janae-Grace.
Honorary guest was Honorable Congressman Faleomavaega E F Hunkin who was also the guest speaker for the 18th Airborne Corps Asian Pacific Celebration in Ft Bragg, NC on 27 May 2008.
The Fellowship started with a worship service on Friday evening to welcome guests followed with a lavish dinner provided by the Ft Bragg Youth Group. SFC Taisi Steffany-Alosu'esu'emanogi, Ft Bragg Youth Minister took this opportunity to discuss the schedule for the fellowship.
Saturday began with breakfast at 8:00am at the Watters Center, Ft Bragg and was immediately followed by the Youth service led by SFC Steffany-Alosu'esu'emanogi. SFC Isaako Lefotu Milo, Youth minister for the Samoan Christian Fellowship of Salvation of God Augusta, Georgia delivered the message for the service emphasizing the importance of holding steadfast in preparation for life whether in church, family or government. Spiritual skits and items by various youth groups concluded the service. Perhaps the most memorable of all these spiritual items was the one performed by the small children from Augusta, Georgia. A little girl led the group of small children asking questions about the importance of the use of nails in every-day life. The message was in reference to our Savior Jesus Christ who was nailed to the cross to cleanse the world of sin. The children gave emphasis to how something bad can be turned into something good.
The Ft Bragg Youth Group opened the cultural Night with an ava ceremony. Traditional ceremonial steps where taken to ensure the validity of this sacred Samoan ceremony. The process of pulsing the audience (fa'atau) as to who will address the gathering was conducted and a consensus was given to MAJ Tauapai Laupola. Georgina Laupola was chosen to prepare the ava (ceremonial drink), with SSG Taumua Faasiusiuga and SFC Faamausili Tausala as her attendants. CW1 Tausose Tupua gave a beautiful biblical poetry (solo ava) while SGT Lavea Haseni, who has a "tatau" distributed the ava to the dignitaries.
Honorable Congressman Faleomavaega paid tribute to SSG (P) Sualauvi Tuimalealiifano II before he drank his ava. This Toa o Samoa has two tours to Iraq and a third one to Afghanistan in which he was paralyzed from injuries sustained in the summer of 2007. He was hospitalized until recently when he returned home to Ft Bragg.
Special acknowledgment was given to the five Toa o Samoa who made the All-Army Volleyball team. They are SFC Tausala Faamausili, coach/player (Ft Lewis. WA), John Quinn (Hawaii), SGT Doreen Fiaui (Ft Bragg, North Carolina), SGT Yorhena Panama (Ft Hood, Texas), SPC Losi Le'iato (Ft Leavenworth, Kansas).
Cultural night ended with beautiful performances by each youth group that attended. The youth group from Jacksonville, North Carolina kicked off the night with various Polynesian dances led by Pastor Fatu Hugo. Washington DC youth entertained the audience with a special mime dance performed by Luteru Te'o with the supporting cast of Isapela Coggins, Niko Mageo, Tupa'i & Aliki Lavea Sina Solomona and Luane Te'o. Augusta, Georgia youth groups' performance was the equivalent of those variety shows in Samoa and Hawaii. The passion and enthusiasm behind the performance by Augusta, Georgia's youth group was felt throughout the audience. Not to be outdone by the incoming youth groups, Ft Bragg's performance made up of soldiers and family members captured the attention of the audience with the young ladies beautiful traditional wear of fine mats complimented by the sei fulumoa (feather headdress) while the young men wore a colorful ie lavalava with a fusi siapo. The choreography of the Samoan dances and spiritual items for Ft Bragg were taught by SGT Doreen Fiaui, Georgina Laupola, Emerald and SPC Rapi Leota, Alexandria Ponafala, Desi Bartley and SFC Taisi Steffany-Alosu'esu'emanogi.
Pastor Filipo Sualevai conducted the church service on Sunday. The reading of the scripture was by Pastor Fatu Hugo while Reverend Sani Taetuli said the prayer. Dr Tapaau Erika Puni gave the sermon entitled "Samoan Dreamers". He accentuated the fact that God plants dreams in leaders hearts; dreams and visions are gifts from God to everybody (men & women); these gifts are given as part of a spiritual restoration of the faith community; and God will raise visionary leaders for the church and nation. "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18 (KJV). He concluded by providing five key points to dreaming for success: Set a goal today (James 4:13), Work hard (Ecclesiastes 9:10), Stay focused (Philippians 3:13-14), Persevere always (Matthew 24:13), and Trust God (Proverbs 3:5-6). Dr Puni concluded his sermon by paying tribute on memorial Sunday to Toa o Samoa who paid the ultimate sacrifice as well as those standing guard in the name of freedom by quoting President John F Kennedy (1961), "And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". "Toa Samoa and Samoan youth, ask not what your country and God can do for you, ask what you can do for your country and God" and Dr Martin Luther King Jr, "I had a dream".
The church service was followed by the to'ana'i and fa'aaloaloga for those who attended the fellowship.
The Samoan community in Ft Bragg worked hard to make their dream of a Fellowship with fellow Samoans within the U.S. a reality. The journey to make it a success was not an easy one, but Ft Bragg persevered. "When the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." ~ (Proverbs 13:12).
Ft Bragg Samoan Dancers: SFC Taisi Steffany-Alosu'esu'emanogi (Youth Minister) and family, CSM Tuileama Nua (Chairman) and family, CW5 Totolua Yandall and family, CW1 Tauasose Tupua (Secretary) and family, Lucia Bartley (Youth President) and family, SSG Fa'asi'usi'uga Taumua (Youth VP), SGT Doreen Fiaui (Youth Leader), SPC Rapi Leota & Mrs Emerald Leota (Youth Leader) and family, SGT Michael Pless and Mrs Brenda Pless (Treasurer) and family, Gafatasi Fuimaono Ponafala and Mrs Anna Ponafala and family, SFC Tausala Faamausili, SGT Lavea Haseni, SPC Jeremiah Vaioletama, PFC Nephi Isumu, PFC Meaalofa Tiatia, PFC Justin Talalotu, SPC Angel Fofoa, SGT Yorhena Panama, SPC Losi Le'iato, SPC Tulua Alefosio, Fiti Matu'u and family, Taima Tupua and family, Tiara Buckingham and family, Reverend Sani Taetuli and Mrs Mele Taetuli, SGM John Letuli, MAJ Tauapai Laupola and family.
The following photos were taken during the Memorial Day Service for "TOA O SAMOA" at Lawton / Fort Sill, Oklahoma held May 26, 2008.
The Memorial Service was organized and planned by Rev. Faimafilioalii Taamu and the Samoan Congregational Christian Church (EFKAS) here in Lawton and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The Military memorial tradition was conducted by SSG Talalelei Fautanu, Ret. SFC Faamasani Puletasi, and SSG Savali Ioane. Pastor Lopa Tasi and his Congregation joined together with us in this special service for all the sons and daughters who gave their lives. Mary Atoe, who is the sister of SGT Tina Time (killed from Iraq) was also there to pay tribute and respect to her sister. The service was filled with all Samoans living in Lawton and Soldiers stationed here in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. It was a very emotional and very wonderful service especially viewing a Slide Show off the fallen comrades known as "Toa o Samoa." The Samoan Congregational Christian Church will have it every year because we will never forget our "Toa o Samoa" and those who are in uniform.
|
Five Samoans soldiers represented the United States Army at the Armed Forces volleyball tournament held at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina (NC), 3-8 June. They are Sergeant First Class (SFC) Tausala, Faamausili, Sergeant (SGT) Doreen Fiaui, SGT Yorhena Panama, Specialist (SPC) John Quinn Taitin and SPC Losivale Le'iato. The Army teams were trained at Ft Bragg, NC.