Comments to this story (46)
michael hanks wrote: |
15 Jul 2010 04:18 PM |
| congrats Lt. Col(P) Tavai-Yahn, i'm proud to have served with you when you were a young Lt. it dosen't surprise me one bit to see how far you have come |
michael hanks wrote: |
15 Jul 2010 04:18 PM |
| congrats Lt. Col(P) Tavai-Yahn, i'm proud to have served with you when you were a young Lt. it dosen't surprise me one bit to see how far you have come |
U.S. Army Sergeant Major (Ret) Mati Arona Ioapo wrote: |
29 Jan 2010 06:23 PM |
| Congratulations Col Tavai-Yahn on your promotion to Full Bird!You are indeed an inspiration to our Samoan men and women in the military,and you made all of us, proud to be Samoans.Keep up the good work! |
Anonymous wrote: |
13 Nov 2009 03:20 PM |
| Ua papa faititili o Samoa o lea ua fa'amanuiaina le taumafaiga a Fuata fa'apea Tavai-Yahn i le mauaina o le failoga offisa maualuga. Malo lava le fa'amalosi ma le finafinau. |
P. Fa'aita, Command Master Chief, U.S. Navy, Retired wrote: |
12 Nov 2009 01:38 PM |
| You gave all Samoans in the military a great reason to celebrate. Congratulations Colonel!! Malo le finau i mea lelei. Malo le fa'aeaea. Woman power, Samoan power, Colonel power! Awesome!! |
a dedicated FAN wrote: |
10 Nov 2009 02:58 PM |
| A standing ovation for Ma'am Tavai-Yahn! You are officially one of my role models for joining the military. I just started the ROTC program at ASCC & for the past few months I have been doubting myself. When I read the article about your promotion, I couldn't help but smile. You have truly motivated me. It is such an honor to see women like you striving for the best. Moreover, a Samoan woman ! You have inspired me & my personal hopes of becoming successful in the military have been uplifted. May the good Lord bless you abundantly... thank you for your selfless service to American Samoa & the United States, we are proud of your great accomplishment. Hoping you all the best and nothing less !
"and the Army goes rolling along .."
HOOOOOAH ;) |
Sam Tavai wrote: |
09 Nov 2009 03:03 AM |
| Congaduation to my big sister, you have done the impossible. Im so proud of you and lucky to have a sister like you to look up to.I know Dad is smiling in haven from all your accomplishment, keep reaching for that star cause your family in VA know you'll make it. GOD bless you and Rock. |
Kuigiolekoafa wrote: |
09 Nov 2009 12:12 AM |
| What an honor and extrodinary journy for such a prestige milestone for one of our very own sister from American Samoa. You have been chosen for bigger and better things in life and it show's through your professional examples and ideas. You've done far better in life than anything that you will ever encounter in your way and I "SALUTE" you for a job well done. Thanks for being a great officer and an example of true samoan warrior at her "BEST". You have set the standards for generations to follow and you are one hell of an achiever. Fa'afetai fa'afetai fa'aeaea - malie tau malie toa. True Samoa Female Warrior. I will be at your next promotion "BG" Tavai-Yahn.....You can. |
a WEWO FAN wrote: |
08 Nov 2009 04:05 AM |
| OMG CONGRATS!!!!! |
Taulafoga Poyer(Army vet) wrote: |
08 Nov 2009 12:44 AM |
| Praise the Lord for your blessings Ma'am and pray God will continue to shines His favors for your career and family. Yes you have made us all (samoa) proud. Congratulation!! This is always a great moment for all Samoa- servicemen/women and the Atunu'u atoa. Faafetai le tau malo. |
Malaeomavega wrote: |
07 Nov 2009 01:32 PM |
| Huge congratulations! Malo lava le finau, malo le tauivi! |
LTC Ina Yahn wrote: |
06 Nov 2009 03:07 PM |
| Thank you so much to all for your praises and words of encouragement. I didn't get here by myself - your prayers and support helped me achieve this huge milestone. Being selected below-the-zone to Colonel is such and honor and was a big shock to me - only about 4% of the LTC population in the Army get selected for this honor. Most of each year group get promoted during their primary selection board. My year group's primary board for colonel is next July 2010, so I was selected ahead of my year group. I got lucky because I had great Soldiers, NCOs and officers who worked for and with me to achieve mission success and I owe a lot of my success to their hard work, loyalty and dedication. Fa'afetai atu i lo tatou atunu'u nofo tatalo mo le saogalemu oi matou uma i totonu o le malo. God bless all of you back home and all over the world. soifua |
BSM wrote: |
06 Nov 2009 02:35 PM |
| CONGRATS to LTC(P) Yahn and to COL Fuata who was also promoted; 1 more step to that ever elusive FIRST STAR for our SAMOAN officers. You two are truely the apitome of leadership and a role model for all our aspiring young officers. Thank you. Good luck and God bless. |
Anonymous wrote: |
06 Nov 2009 11:33 AM |
| Hooah! Hooah! Next... a "STAR" in the future?? |
Anonymous wrote: |
06 Nov 2009 07:06 AM |
| Congratulations Col. Tavai-Yahn - you make all of us Samoans proud, especially us Samoan women. You are definitely a role model to young Samoans around the world. You have accomplished what only a handful (maybe less) of Samoans (let alone a Samoan woman) have achieved. The only other Samoans Colonels that I know of are Col. Gary Kamauoha (born & raised in Lotopa, Samoa now living in Hawaii) and Col. Fuata (from A.Samoa).
Malo lava, and congratulations again. |
Anonymous wrote: |
06 Nov 2009 06:33 AM |
| SP5(RET)REV. Issac Amosa,
Just wonder where have you been since you retired from the Army as a First and only Samoan to retired as a SP5 after 20 years of faithful services in the military. Great news you are a Faifeau, would like to visit your church when stop-by on our way to Florida, Church Conference in Dec 09, hope you are preaching the good word of Gospel,which is FREE, not the money. Will see you in Dec 09. |
Poustie wrote: |
06 Nov 2009 05:28 AM |
| Congratulations Leafaina! Yes you are truly a role model for all of us Samoan women, young and old. Faamalo and faafetai for all your hard work & discipline. We're so proud of you. Congrats again on making Colonel! Viia le Alii! |
sami celestine wrote: |
06 Nov 2009 04:18 AM |
| congatulations to you LTC Tavai..may god bless and be with you at all times...we should all nominate her to be our governor..lol...maybe will have a better justicw system and a better government.... |
Rev. Fiatupu E. Tavai wrote: |
06 Nov 2009 03:18 AM |
| Faafetai atu ia te oe le afafine, faamalo le faamalosi male finafinau, tauivi pea e fesoasoani pea le Alii i ou ala uma. Faaafetai fa'aea aiga male atunuu. Congratulations and God bless you. |
Samoana 84 alumni wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 10:47 PM |
| Sharks class of 84 salute you and congradulate you for raising the bar for Samoans especially the Samoan women in the military...You are awesome and inspirational. Teine Samoa ua fa'aeaea lou malaga ua tu'ua le ele'ele a ua e ti'eti'e i le matagi mai toga CCHHHOOOOOHHHHhOOOOOOOO CHHHCHHCHOOOOOOHHHHOOOOO |
SURF808 wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 09:02 PM |
| BRAVO ZULU Lt.Col Tavai-Yahn!!! As a former Marine, we are just as proud of your promotion to full bird, and all that you've accomplished. I'm sure all Samoans serving in sister services extend their well deserved congratulations to you. With no hesitations; I SALUTE YOU... God Bless you and all our Armed Forces.
p.s. You are still young and pretty as ever to make to the general ranks (HUAAA!!!)... LOL |
G.A. wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 01:40 PM |
| E ese ma le lelei o le Atua, e ui lava ona vevesi sasae, sisifo, saute ma matu ae e aumai lava lana faamafanafanaga, i nisi auala, e faailoa mai ai..., e le mafai ona Ia tuulafoaia i tatou. Faafetai i lau Susuga Tavai mo le ipu vai malu ua e asuina mai aua le laveaiina o loto ma agaga o le tatou atunuu mo se manuia o le tatou atunuu mo a taeao. Sii le viiga ma le faafetai i le Atua ona o se faitotoa ua ana tatalaina atu mo oe faapea fo'i le tatou atunuu o Amerika Samoa ma Samoa. E LELEI LE ATUA!!!!!!!!! A ea Amerika Samoa & Samoa!!!!! |
Tasimaisaua Loi-On wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 12:48 PM |
| I remember when it was first announced on the radio about Tavai attending West Point Academy! I was in elementary then. Good going sis!!! I don't know you personally, but its always an inspiration to hear about your accomplishments. Thank you to your parents for steering you in the right direction. |
Gerry wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 11:52 AM |
| Congrats maam...Well Deserved !!! |
Falaniko wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 10:17 AM |
| Awesome news! Let's not forget COL Fuata who got promoted earlier this year. We have a pretty good chance in getting our first Brigadier General. Congratulations to you both! |
Ft. Stewart soldier wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 09:58 AM |
| congratulation maam, malo faaeaea si o totou atunuu. |
SATANI wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 07:55 AM |
| First Samoan graduated from West Point, a full bird and possible STAR. Gongradulations and GOD Bless! |
MSG(RET) Peteru M. Tupufia Faumuina, U.S. Army wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 07:04 AM |
| MSG(RET) Peteru M. Tupufia Faumuina
Congatulations, LTC(P) Tavai Yahn, malo le finau male fa'aeaea, ua e faia pea mea matagofie ma maualuga ai pea le viiga ole Atua, ma e maua ai pea le manu malo. I salute you Colonel, Job well done, and mission accomplished. |
Rev Isaac Amosa wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 05:27 AM |
| Contgratulation to you LTC(P) Tavai-Yahn for your most recent selection. You delivered bery well one of the biggest milestones in every samoan's heart. Our family remembers you very well when we stationed together in Kitzingen, Germany. Good Luck and God Bless |
Piilani Nakiso Alaimaleata wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 05:00 AM |
| What an amazing accomplishment! May God continue to bless you throughout your military career. Although I don't know you personally, I am so proud of you. Faafetai lava for the inspiration! |
OTS Bound-USAF wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 04:06 AM |
| Congratulations Ma'am! You are a role model for individuals like me, I pray that I will have the priviledge someday to meet and shake your hand as the 1ST FULL BIRD COLONEL of Samoan descent, born and raised. I SALUTE YOU MA'AM! Ia fa'amanuia pea le Atua ia te oe ma le aiga, aemaise tiute o lo'o feagai ai oe. |
South of the Alps wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 02:47 AM |
| Way to go COL Tavai-Yahn. What a remarkable achievement and one that most people dare to dream of. You have been a role model from the day you entered west point and i'm thankful that you continue to make headlines with great success and admiration. I'm so proud of you. May God bless you and guide you with more achievements in the future responsbilities. Like they say "your rewards and our rewards" for the future of American Samoa. Faafetai faaeaea male taumafai i mea faigata. |
STEVE wrote: |
05 Nov 2009 01:08 AM |
| THE SAYING "E AU LE INAILAU A FAFINE 'AE LE 'O TAMALOLOA" IS NOW AT ITS VERY PEAK.IM A TOUGH TAMALOA BUT THIS ONE IS VERY VERY UNIQUE.FAAMALO LE TAUMAFAI.OSE LA'ASAGA MAUA GATA,BUT AGAIN COMMITMENT AND DETERMINATION CAN OVERRIDE DIFFICULT OBSTACLES,NO MATTER WHAT...AWESOME..GOD BLESS.. |
Joe Tauaa wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 10:05 PM |
| Malo Toa ua Malo Tau: Fa'amalo lava le tautua ma le onosa'i, "Leai lava se mea lelei e maua ma le filemu" Fa'amalo mo lau promotion, malo fa'aeaea aiga, nu'u ae maise si o tatou atunu'u. You went up the hill, but came down from the mountain, keep up the good work and hang in there, you will make a "STAR" (General), fa'atuatua atili i le Atua ma maua pea le tofa saili ma mafaufauga lelei mo feau ma galuega o feagai ma oe. Again, a BIG FA'AMALO.....Fa'amanuia atili le Atua ia te oe ma lou tautua ai i le Malo Tele o Meleke.
Male fa'aaloalo,
Joe Tauaa
via BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN
BAE SYSTEMS/MRAP |
Truhamo wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 04:57 PM |
| Congratulations and big fa'amalo to Lt. Col. Tavai-Yahn. You make us all proud. Thank you for your hard work and continuous service. |
Tama Samoa Moni wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 04:27 PM |
| Man, this is like a breath of fresh air in the midst of the recent devastation and all the negativity about our government in the news lately. I was one of her teacher's in high school, and remember that class at Samoana High School. She was an outstanding student then and look where she is today. No doubt she is the pinnacle of great examples to our young people that when you work hard, stay the course and be resilient in attaining your goals, sky truly is the limit. I just talked to her last week on a family matter she wanted to iron out for one of her cousins. Congratulations Colonel Leafaina!
Malo tau, malo fa'aeaea atunuu, fa'aeaea aiga, fa'aeaea malo ma ou tagata nuu. Ia tumau pea le agalelei o le Atua i mea uma ete faia, ma 'ia maua pea le agaga e pei ona e 'ausia ai lenei tulaga maualuga i le tala fa'asolopito a fanau ma alo o le tatou atunuu. E sa'o ai ni isi o upu masani, e la'ititi lava si atunuu e sau ai, 'ae ma'ini'ini faiga a nai teineiti o le atunuu. God bless you throughout. Indeed, all Samoans across the globe are cheering for you on your promotion, Colonel Leafaina Tavai-Yahn. |
Jay wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 04:06 PM |
| Congratulations Ma'am. I salute you. You are such an inspiration. Malo le tautua. |
Tupou wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 03:13 PM |
| Congratulations LTC Tavai, from all your 1984 classmates at Samoana High School. |
2LT Alaimalo, Lloyd M. wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 01:21 PM |
| Congratulations Maam!! I remember when you visited us (Samoana High) in 1988, sharing your experience as the first Samoan to attend West Point. I was a sophmore then. You were an inspiration for me then and you continue to be today! Thank you so much for your dedication and selfless service! You mark another page in American Samoa's military servicemembers by becoming the first full bird Colonel. Malo lava! Take care and God bless you and your family. |
proud of u soldier wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 01:11 PM |
| oh wow!congratulations colonel this is the kind of news we love to hear about.malo lava colonel tavai-yahn malo faamalosi o fua na o le faamaoni ma le faia o galuega lelei.God bless and thank you for service.hats off to you and all our soldiers.manuia! |
WOW !!! GIRL POWER !!! A BIG FAAMALO TO YOU SISTER !!! wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 01:10 PM |
| There are no words to express how so very proud I am of you Ms. Tavai. I remember when you were nominated right out of high school to go to West Point. I remembered when you completed West Point, and now this! You may be on you way to becoming our first GENERAL. Thank you COLONEL TAVAI. YOU MAKE US ALL SO VERY VERY PROUD !!! |
Vaieli wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 01:01 PM |
| Malo le tauivi, you made all of us as Military Veterans, Samoan people around the Globe very very proud of your accomplishment. I wish you well , I pray that you will be the First Samoan General. I salute you, Alofa tele le Atua mo Oe ma le aiga. |
CONGRATULATIONS COLONEL TAVAI-YAHN wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 12:09 PM |
| Congratulations to Colonel Tavai-Yahn. You have indeed lifted our spirits. With all that is going on at home, you on the other hand have put American Samoa on the MAP of positive, honest, educational and service endeavors that is worthy of a praises and congratulations. Colonel Tavai-Yahn- I NOMINATE YOU TO BE GOVERNOR OF AMERICAN SAMOA. We surely need leaders like you to restore integrity and honesty in our government. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY-GOD BLESS AMERICAN SAMOA, |
Tiffany Thompson wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 07:38 AM |
| That is awesome and quite impressive. Congratulations and God Bless! |
Ailani wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 06:21 AM |
| Congratulations to LTC Tavai. Continue to be a great role model for our soldiers as well as all the young women of Samoa. |
Rev. Panama Asora M wrote: |
04 Nov 2009 06:04 AM |
| Congraduation to Lt. Col(P) Tavai-Yahn, God is good and you deserved all his blessing. I pray that you will become the first Samoan General in the near future.I am so proud of you and your accomplishment. Ia alofa tele atu le Atua ia te oe ma lou toalua male nofo-a-alo. Manuia tofi ma tiute..ona o Iesu Amene. |
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