"My children and my island nation, I want the BEST for them
BOTH"
Special from
Iraq
by Easter Asi
After my article
regarding the connection between the military and Samoans was
published, I received an interesting and sincere letter from
a Soldier serving at Camp Taji, Iraq. The letter summarizes his
experiences, his travels as a service member and his interactions
with the local Samoan community at various military installations.
The second line in his letter piqued my interest: "...I
don't really have a story to tell, just a tale of fellowship
and my hopes for the future of our island and country."On
the contrary, after speaking with members of his family and his
immediate supervisor, this Soldier's story speaks volumes of
courage, sacrifice, dedication and commitment. I am proud to
share what I have learned about this young man's extraordinary
views on family, Samoan culture and life.
SPC Joseph S.
Taua'i is your Toa o Samoa for this week. He is the proud son
of the late Jerome Ioapo Taua'i and Fuamoli Manaea Ve'e from
the villages of Olosega, Manu'a and Lauli'i Tuai, respectively.
Taua'i was born in 1971 at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.
His father served 22 years in the United States Navy and retired
in Hawaii. Upon retirement, the Taua'i family relocated to Lauli'i
where Joseph spent the latter part of his adolescent years. Joseph
graduated from Faga'itua High School in 1989.
Joseph's father,
Jerome Ioapo Taua'i, died of cancer in 1983 and is survived by
his mother, four brothers and one sister. I contacted Joseph's
house in Lauli'i to talk to his sister Janice J. Pan and his
mother. Janice is extremely proud of her brother. Since Joseph
was the youngest of the Taua'i family, Janice recalls having
to protect him from bullies when they were younger because Joseph
was little and quiet. However, as they all grew, so did Joseph
surpassing heights of all the Taua'i siblings. Janice recalls
a discussion with Joseph regarding numerous deployments when
he belted out a response that speaks for his bravery and courage
I reference in my first paragraph. His response, "it's a
war, why should I sit back?"
Speaking to elderly
parents about their children is a heart wrenching task and speaking
with Joseph's mother was no different. After we exchanged greetings,
I began my line of questions about Joseph. According to her,
"Joseph is different from all of my children, I spoiled
him the most. Joseph is very much like his father quiet,
reserved and introspective." She added "e filemu
toe usita'i, ma tama lelei." She is extremely proud
of his service in the military. My last question brought an exchange
of tears between us. I asked if there was anything she would
like to tell Joseph. In paraphrasing her final thoughts, she
reminds Joseph to "always lean on the Lord, to always
seek Him in prayer and that nothing is too hard to deal with
when you keep God in your life." As we tearfully ended
our conversation, Tina Taua'i wanted me to extend her love and
prayers to all Toa o Samoa serving in harms way.
Joseph's mother
remarried and a strong brotherly bond with his new stepbrothers
developed. His stepbrothers, Pesa and Taufaao Ve'e are both reservists
from the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, American Samoa. Pesa
resides in Lauli'i near their mother while Taufaao resides in
Hawaii.
Taua'i is happily
married to Tupu Tofaeono of Amaua, American Samoa. They are blessed
with 6 children: Precious Destiny, 16; Princess Desiree, 13;
Jefferson Joseph, 11; Josephine Anastasia, 8; Jonathan Joseph,
4; and Joseph Milo Jr., 3. I also had the pleasure in speaking
with Tupu and the entire Taua'i clan. The second oldest daughter,
Princess Desiree, shared with me that she wants to join the Air
Force and become a pilot. The oldest son, Jefferson, has his
sights on the NFL. Jefferson shared that when his dad leaves
for deployments; his dad reminds him "you're the man of
the house." The Taua'i children have one theme in common
after talking with all of them, "my dad is my hero."
In my conversation
with Tupu, I admired the strength in her voice and her grounded
attitude exemplifying the model military spouse. Tupu is a strong,
loving mother who is in control of the house and the children
keeping the Taua'i family stabilized while Joseph serves his
country. Tupu and the gang reside in Hawaii awaiting Joseph's
re-deployment in 2009.
Deployments are
not foreign to the Taua'i family. Joseph has deployed a total
of four times: the first two times with the mighty 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault) and a third and currently 4th time with
the 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade). According to Joseph,
he just happens to be assigned to units that were deploying.
Joseph shares, "I could've requested to move but that's
not how Samoans do things, I believe in making lemonade out of
lemonsmaking the best of what you were given and my BEAUTIFUL
WIFE and CHILDREN, so they can have a taste of the life that
we only see on T.V. and show my children that there's more that
just a shore and ocean as far as the eye can see, but different
cultures different races and so much more choices than a fish
cannery and things of this nature, but I do it mostly so my children
don't have to come back here some years down the road if they
choose to join any of our fine Armed Forces. I would very much
LOVE to move back home but it's still a discussion with the rest
of my family and how they feel about it. I feel strongly about
moving home, that's where my heart ismy past has taught me well."
Taua'i is a 92Y,
a supply/logistics clerk for the 1st Battalion 14th Infantry.
According to SFC Harper, his supervisor, Taua'i is one of his
stellar performers primarily because of his dependable can-do
attitude and reliance to complete tasks without supervision.
SFC Harper admires Joseph's love of family and is personally
aware that Taua'i calls his wife and children on a regular basis.
I asked Harper if Joseph talks about the Samoan culture, he chuckled
as he shared Joseph's love for Samoan food but especially rice,
lots of rice.
Closing thoughts
from Joseph: "My dream is for my children and the future
of my island nation to be successful, more wise than what we
currently are, more efficient, more open-minded, more.I just
want more for themboth my children and my island nation I want
the BEST for them BOTH."
Please feel free
to send Toa o Samoa nominations or questions to Easter Asi Bruce:
sinaoalii.easter@gmail.com.
Archives
God and family are everything
E so'o le fau i le fau - we have strength in
unity
Samoans and the Military - Why We Connect
Law of Reciprocity
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