ManuaTele - Republic of Korea Samoa Association (ROKSA)

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ROKSA's Hail and Farewell at Camp Casey, Korea
Written by MAJ Tauapai Laupola

Change is one sure thing in the military; and on March 17, 2007; this was no different when the Republic of Korea Samoa Association (ROKSA) gathered at Camp Casey, Korea, to hail and farewell several of its members. This turn over of membership validates one of ROKSA's goals, love is respect, because respect is love as ROKSA strives to make every soldier feels special during his/her tour in Korea. As ROKSA bids farewell to SGT Taumua and PFC Sua, it also provides an opportunity to welcome SSG Pe'a Polu, SGT Ray Topinio, CPL Ropati Sooalo, PV1 Brian Kalapu and Joseph Nansen.

According to SGT Faasi'usi'uga Taumua, ROKSA has been a positive force in promoting and bringing Samoans together in Korea. SGT Taumua hails from the village of Poloa and has been a ROKSA supporter since his arrival in March 2005. He departed Korea on March 19, 2007, for Honolulu, Hawaii, where he will spend time with his mother, Laalaai Taumua, before he departs to his new duty station at Ft Bragg, North Carolina.

Photo: ROKSA (Cpt Talielu posing a picture with some members of the Republic Of Korea Samoa Association.)

"Tima," as she is known to ROKSA, is the daughter of the late Reverend Lealaiauloto Sua. It's always hard to say good-bye to a soldier that is humble, polite and supportive of ROKSA activities. After two successful years working at the 121 General Hospital, she is leaving ROKSA and Korea to go back to Ft Sam Houston. Tima's parting comments were; "I've learned a lot from ROKSA, especially living up to its motto of a home away from home as a venue to bring Samoans together." The many activities that ROKSA has hosted and sponsored; such as, the holiday events, Asian Pacific and Aganu'u Samoa celebrations, quarterly thanksgiving services, hail and farewell, hosting Samoan distinguished visitors and keeping families informed, are experiences that she will treasure. Tima departed for her new duty assignment on 26 Mar 2007.

Despite losing SGT Taumua and PFC Sua, ROKSA is fortunate to gained five new members. ROKSA welcomes with open arms SSG Pe'a Polu of Faleasao, Manu'a. He is the son of the late Pe'a Su'evale Polu and Avalele Asoau Polu. SSG Polu is currently assigned to A/1-72 AR Battalion. He came to Korea from Charlie Company; 100/442Inf; American Samoa, after its re-deployment from Iraq. SSG Polu is married to Meremine Puletasi Polu of Olosega, Manu'a; who is in American Samoa with their four children while SSG Polu is serving his unaccompanied tour at Camp Casey, Korea. According to SSG Polu, I've read a lot about ROKSA and its contribution to the Samoan community in Korea, but now that I've experienced it first hand, I'm honored to be a chartered member.

Another addition to the ROKSA family is Joseph Saofa'i Nansen of A'asu, American Samoa. Joseph Nansen is the son of Iosefo Nansen and late Valelia Nansen. Joseph is a combat veteran and he is married to 1LT Aja Tuiasosopo Nansen. According to Joseph, "ROKSA's presence at our wedding is definitely love and respect for Aja and the Samoans in Korea." Joe is committed to reciprocate the love because he respects and supports ROKSA's cause of bringing Samoan together and provide them a "home away from home".

The third addition to the ROKSA family is SGT Ray Topinio, a Hawaiian Phillipino who is married to Mrs Lesa Tiliaia Topino of Faleasao, Manu'a. He is currently assigned to E/302/BSB, Camp Casey, Korea. SGT Topinio came to Korea from the 109th QM Co, Ft Lee, VA. Ray and his wife Lesa have three boys, Ray-Jay, Ray-Den & Ray-Ven. This is his second tour in Korea and he is very proud of meeting his Samoan family. According to Ray, he is excited about ROKSA and can't wait to share ROKSA events with his family.

Our fourth member is PV1 Brian Kalapu. He is assigned to the 1/15 HHB at Camp Casey, Korea. Brian is the son of Punipuao Lagai of Laulii, AS and the late Brian Kalapu Sr. of Pago Pago.

Finally, CPL Ropati Sooalo, 23yrs old, is the the son of Reverend Faavae Sooalo and Emi Sooalo who are ministering at the Methodist church of Salelesi, Samoa. SPC Sooalo came to Korea from 1/16 CAV, Ft Knox, Kentucky. He is currently assigned to 2/7 CAV, at Camp Casey, Korea. This is CPL Sooalo's second tour in Korea since he joined the US Army in 2004; and he is one of the original ROKSA members.

ROKSA wishes SGT Taumua and PFC Sua the best in their new duty assignments and welcomes SSG Polu, SGT Topino, Joseph Nansen, SPC Sooalo, and PV1 Brian Kalapu to ROKSA and Korea. On behalf of the traveling party from Seoul and Camp Humphrey, the ROKSA board would like to acknowledge the effort of SSG Talalelei Fautanu, SSG Vaitogi Taetuli, CPT Faamao Umali-Tanielu, PFC Lucaena Leuma, SGT Annie Samchong, and SSG Shawn Davis for planning and organizing this Hail and Farewell.

CPT Faamao Umali-Tanielu Takes Command of the Warrior Readiness Company
Written by Tauapai Laupola

March 18, 2007

CPT Faamao Umali-Tanielu, ROKSA's Vice-President, takes command of the Warrior Readiness Company during a change-of-command ceremony at 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), Camp Stanley, Republic of Korea (ROK) on Monday, March 5, 2007. This is a great accomplishment and a major milestone for CPT Umali-Tanielu's military career. CPT Umali-Tanielu hails from the village of Masausi, American Samoa and is the proud daughter of Mr Lusi Tanielu and Mrs Eleni Tanielu.

The importance of the change-of-command ceremony marks the passing of the guidon from CPT Re O. Pinkcombe, outgoing commander, to CPT Faamao Umali-Tanielu, incoming commander. The guidon or a unit color is a symbol of unity and strength. This time-honored tradition reminds us that leaders and commanders come and go, but organizational colors remain timeless-representing a permanence and harmonization of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The colors signify a unit history and symbolically portray the glories, the accomplishments, the failures, the joys and the sorrows of its members. The tradition of passing the organizational colors from the outgoing to the incoming commander is symbolic of the transfer of command responsibility and indicative of the sacred trust and confidence that a nation places in the capabilities of the new leader. CPT Umali-Tanielu has definitely gained the trust and confidence of her superiors as a result of her selection to command this company.

Photo: ROKSA

CPT Umali-Tanielu enlisted in the United States Army in 1997, and earned her commission as an Adjutant General Officer through the ROTC, University of Hawaii (UH), Manoa, 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from UH and a Master of Science from the Central Michigan University.

Her assignments included a tour with the 25th ID, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii 2001-2005, as an Assistant Battalion S3, Battalion S1/S2, the G1 Personnel Readiness Officer and the G1 Chief of Enlisted Strength Manager; her follow-on assignments included the 2nd ID Camp Red Cloud, Korea, G1 Chief of Plans and Operations Officer. CPT Umali-Tanielu is a graduate of the Adjutant General Officers Basic Course, CPT Career Course and the Air Assault School. She is married to Phillip Umali of Waianae, Hawaii.

The ceremony was well attended by the incoming and out-going commanders' families, friends, and peers. CPT Umali-Tanielu's family and home away from home is "The Republic of Korea Samoa Association" (ROKSA). SSG Talalelei Fautanu, SSG Vaitogi Taetuli, SSG Pe'a Polu and SGT Fa'asi'usi'uga Taumua represented ROKSA at the ceremony. According to SSG Fautanu, "ROKSA is CPT Umali-Tanielu's family in Korea and this is a great day for ROKSA and all Samoans on the peninsula." SSG Taetuli commented, "it's a great feeling to witness a Samoan Officer takes command of this company." SSG Polu and SGT Taumua summarized it best by saying that CPT Faamao Umali-Tanielu's accomplishments are testimonies of her dedication and commitment to the US Army and a positive reflection on her parents, families, and all Samoans. ROKSA wishes CPT Umali-Tanielu success in her command.

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