Even before the memorial service at the Kalihi Union Church got under way yesterday, it was clear that Staff Sgt. Frank Tiai was a man who meant much to many.

An Army Reservist from American Samoa, Tiai, 45, was on his final patrol in Iraq on July 17 before taking two weeks of scheduled R&R, when he was killed by a bomb that exploded beneath his armored vehicle.

"He was the kind of person you could count on no matter what," said Capt. Dave Keleti, who like many of the more than 175 in attendance yesterday, was from America Samoa and had known Tiai for years.

HE TOUCHED A LOT OF HEARTS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE,

Spc. Nick Tuiolosega, for example, knew Tiai as a friend, a fellow police officer in Pago Pago, and a fellow soldier in Iraq.

"He was an exceptional guy, understanding, real friendly," said Tuiolosega, who is himself recovering from injuries he suffered when the vehicle he was riding in ran over a land mine in Iraq on April 21.

"He was the best. He was my squad leader. If you needed help, he was always there."

Nobody knows that more than Spc. Satuala Amoa, 19, who was seriously injured and feared dead after his armored Humvee turned over and landed on him.

"It was June 28," recalled Amoa, 19, who, like Tuiolosega, attended the service on crutches. "It started out with eight people and they couldn't get it off me. They thought I was dead. Then I woke up in shock and started screaming for help."

Amoa said that as squad leader, Tiai took charge, and he and four other men somehow wrested the 5-ton vehicle off Amoa and pulled him out.

Tiai stayed with Amoa all the way back to the base, where he underwent emergency treatment.

"Begging for my life, Tiai held my hand and said, 'You're going to be OK, you're going to make it,' " Amoa later told the congregation. "That was the last time I saw Staff Sgt. Tiai."

Tiai was the first reservist from the 100th Battalion, 442nd to die in Iraq, and the fifth soldier from American Samoa killed in the war.

He was remembered for his kindness to Iraqi children in a letter written by Lt. Col. Colbert Low, commander of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, that was read aloud by Capt. Keleti.

"That is the fundamental difference between you and the enemy," the letter said. "The enemy does not care whom he kills or injures. He treats Iraqi women and children as targets of opportunity."

During the service, several members of Tiai's family spoke about his devotion to his family and to the military. He was remembered fondly as outgoing and fun-loving.

"Frank was very dedicated to the military," said his oldest sister, Mafatua Moi. "Even when he wasn't in uniform, he was always barking orders. I would always bust his bubble and let him know he wasn't in charge.

"Frank loved life and and he tried to live it the best way he knew how. He was very caring, a jokester ... but most of all, he was very loving."

Tiai's son Faga "Rambo" Tiai, 19, who flew in from Pago Pago for the service, said he remembered one of the last things his father told him was, "Son, I love you."

"I'd like to say thank you to all who are here for honoring my dad," said the younger Tiai, who wept openly before the congregation and was barely able to speak.

"Right now my dad is looking down and I know he's smiling."

Tiai's body will be flown to American Samoa today.

Final church services, military honors and burial for Tiai, a veteran of more than 20 years in the battalion, are scheduled for Thursday in Pago Pago.

He is survived by his wife, Talosaga, and his children, Faga Tiai and daughter Foafoaga Tiai, 15.