Schofield Barracks soldier Spc. Sinoe Orbe has been in Iraq since mid-January. |
By Mariko Wilson
This is Spc. Sinoe Orbe who is with the 40th Quarter Master Company, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He deployed from Schofield Barracks in mid-January. I am extremely proud to have this amazing soldier in my life.
Since the day we met, he has brought nothing but smiles and laughs to my life. His ability to find the brighter side of every situation has made our time apart easier to bare.
Sinoe, I miss you terribly and I can't wait to celebrate your safe return home. Love always, Mariko
|
|
Maria and Romel Olipas |
By Maria Olipas
This is my husband and brave soldier, Staff Sgt. Romel Olipas. He's serving with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Iraq. Shelby and R.J. love and miss him dearly, and we await the safe return of all our soldiers.
|
|
|
|
My son, my hero is Kerstan Omerod. He is serving with the 7th Marines in Iraq.
Kerstan was born on O‘ahu and raised on the Big Island. He is a graduate of the Youth Challenge Program and joined the Marine Corps in February 2000 and his home base is Twentynine Palms, Calif.
His family loves him dearly and awaits his safe return home. We keep him in our prayers always and wish him well. Until then, Kerstan, “Semper Fi.” You’re a hero in our hearts. We love you.
— The Omerod family
|
|
Northrup Okuda’s daughter Malina is proud of his service aboard the USS Chosin. |
I am writing this on behalf of my cousin, Malina Okuda. She cannot express in words what she feels about her dad, but I will for her. She has special needs but in her childlike manner, everyone around her is truly blessed. She accepts everyone for who they are and loves them unconditionally. Her dad is AMCS Northrop Okuda and he is stationed on the USS Chosin, air department HSL-37, DET-6. They are currently stationed in the Gulf. Malina is very proud of her dad and knows that he is one of the great men in the U.S. Navy. She also knows that he is a great UH Warrior fan and he attends all the football games. He will not be there for the opening of the season — so, Coach Jones, if you read this, can you and your team win one for Malina’s dad and all of the great men and women stationed on the USS Chosin? He will not be there in person but he will surely be there in spirit. She might not understand what is going on with the war, but she does know that it’s all about freedom and that she loves and misses her dad.
— Ashley Vega
|
 |
|
|
If you know someone in the military from or based in Hawai'i serving our country in the Persian Gulf, please send us a photo and a few words about him or her to: alohatroops@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Submissions may be published or distributed in print, electronic and other forms.
Aloha Troops
