"My dad says, Samoans are naturally born warriors."
Special from
Iraq
by Easter Asi
Exuberant, bubbly
and charismatic are words that immediately came to my mind after
meeting this week's Toa o Samoa. I received an email from this
Soldier a few weeks ago after her father read one of my previous
articles in which family relatives were named, specifically SSG
Talalelei Fautanu. It was evident that this young lady was proud
of her Samoan heritage as revealed by her email signature quotes.
Even more impressive, the author of her signature quotes was
her father. One of her signature quotes speaks to the very cornerstone
of the Samoan culture which is the family: "Without love
and family, you cry alone ... but remember that with family,
they will cry with you..." - My father, Sopa Tufu
 SPC
Kanesa Liolio Tufu Arnold is this week's Toa o Samoa. She is
the proud daughter of Sopa and Janet Tufu currently residing
in Hinesville, Georgia. Kanesa's father is Sopa Tufu, Jr., son
of Sopa and Kanesa Liolio Tufu of Ofu and Ta'u Manua, respectively.
SPC Tufu Arnold was named after her grandmother who will turn
90 years old this December. The family plans to travel to American
Samoa this December to celebrate 90 years of her grandmother's
rich life.
I called the
Tufu home in Hinesville, Georgia to speak with the family. Sopa
and Janet are not directly affiliated with the military except
through their siblings and family members. As a matter of fact,
Sopa's brother, Ace Tufu served 20+ years in the United States
Navy and retired as a Command Master Chief.
According to
Sopa, their daughter's enlistment into the Army came as a surprise.
He adds, "I am very proud of herI didn't think she was
going to make it in the militarybecause when she was younger,
she had a small body frame. I remember she had to wear suspenders
to keep her pants up! But I know, she made it through boot camp
because she is strong and because of her Samoan blood."
When I asked Sopa about Kanesa's signature quotes, he told me
that he instilled in her at a very young age the importance of
family, he adds, "don't forget your family."
Kanesa's father says that he never stops praying for his daughter
and all of Toa o Samoa serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. As we
ended our conversation, Sopa shares, "I am very proud
of our Samoans and their bravery it brings tears to my
eyes ... Samoans are very brave, strong in family, God and culture."
I briefly spoke
with Jason, Kanesa's brother, who is a year younger than Kanesa.
I asked Jason if there was anything special he would like to
share about Kanesa. Jason shared with me that she loves McDonald's.
Her favorite food is a fish filet sandwich. I chuckled and responded,
you know, I think ALL Samoans love the fish filet sandwich at
which point, Jason responded with "I know! My dad orders
like three at one time!" Yes, Samoans love McDonald's
fish filet sandwiches that is a fact!
Saving the best
for last, I exchanged greetings with a soft-spoken but steady
voice of Kanesa's mother, Janet Tufu. I asked Janet about another
email signature Kanesa uses, which according to Kanesa, describes
the true definition of a Samoan. Janet explains that as a sophomore
in high school, Kanesa had to write an English paper on her Samoan
heritage. There was a poster of a Samoan warrior hanging on her
bedroom wall. Kanesa studied the poster and came up with this
concise and descriptive quote to describe the unwavering spirit
of Samoans. This quote says, "The Definition of a true
Samoan: Too positive to be doubtful ... Too optimistic to be
fearful ... and too determined to be defeated..."
I asked Janet,
"How do you cope with family separations and deployments?"
Interesting response from Janet pointed out the non-existence
of a Family Support System for parents with children deployed
to the war zone. Janet says, "As parents we just deal
with the deployment because we do not have a Family Readiness
Group (FRG) specifically geared for parents in comparison to
a FRG that supports spouses at many military installations."
Janet shared
a sacred coping mechanism that keeps her and Sopa connected to
Kanesa while she is deployed. During her first deployment in
2005 to Camp Liberty, Kanesa had two necklaces made, one for
her mother and one for her father. Janet's necklace has a picture
of her and Kanesa, likewise, her father's necklace has a picture
of Kanesa and Sopa. When Kanesa deploys, her parents wear the
necklaces to hold and pray for her safety every day. When Kanesa
returns home, the necklaces are put away until the next deployment.
In closing, Janet shares "She's my daughter, she's special,"
continues Janet, and "I'm proud of her for making a difference
in people's lives."
Kanesa is serving
her second deployment in Iraq at Forward Operating Base (FOB)
Kalsu with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 3rd Infantry Division
(3ID). In January 2006, Kanesa married Stewart Arnold of Richardson,
Texas. SSG Arnold is a team chief on the Brigade Commander's
Personnel Security Detail (PSD). Kanesa says her husband is fascinated
with the Samoan culture and will visit American Samoa this December
for the very first time.
I asked Kanesa
for her personal thoughts on the military and Samoans. She says,
"Samoans are succeeding in taking up unique leadership
positions the military creates a positive image for Samoans I
mean there's CSM Savusa - look where he's at?" In closing,
Kanesa shares, "My dad always says, 'Samoans are natural
born warriors.'"
Please feel free
to send Toa o Samoa nominations or questions to Easter's email:
sinaoalii.easter@gmail.com.
Archives
"My
children and my island nation, I want the BEST for them BOTH"
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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