Tafua family photo

Aloha! I have attached a photograph of my husband, Sgt. 1st Class Andy Tafua, with our son, Tau.

Andy is stationed at Schofield Barracks and is serving our country in Afghanistan.

Andy started his military career as a reservist, in the infantry. After graduating from college, we got married. He then went active duty. 

That was 10 years ago. I pray for 10 more. He has since changed his job to military intelligence. "Eyes of Lightning" is his new home in the Army.

He has served our country in Kosovo, South Korea, Haiti, Bosnia, and now Afghanistan. In each case he was ready, if not eager to go and defend our nation, keep the peace, and protect our rights.

He is my hero. 

To Andy: Sweetheart, your son and I are so proud of you. We miss you like crazy, but we understand why. You stay focused and concentrate on the mission. Please know we love you with every breath and that we lift you in prayer daily.

Take care of yourself, cause I am taking care of the home front. I believe in you. I believe in what you do. I believe in us.

Faavavau Faavavau Amene Hana

I just wanted to write to you about my husband Staff Sgt. Ernest S. Torres. He is in Iraq, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Ernest is based out of Fort Hood, Texas, and is with the 1st "Raider" Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division — the unit responsible for the capture of Saddam Hussein.

My husband was born and raised in Honolulu. He is a 1987 graduate of McKinley High School; he joined the military right out of high school.

We met in 1988 and married in October of that year. We have four children: Angel, Keli'i, Anthony and Keanu.

I know that my husband misses all the good "grinds" from back home and all the aloha. We hope to be stationed back in Hawai'i after his tour in Iraq is over.

In the meantime, keep all of our troops in your prayers and continue to support them.

Mahalo,

Alice Torres and family

Jeff is from New Jersey. Jeff loves to talk and tell stories, so we are all waiting for his return to share all of his experiences.

I am his "Auntie Joy" from Wahiawa.

I just received this photo of Jeff.

— Joy A. Barrie

— Greg Brannan and Nicole Gust-Brannan

Many have come to know this Kailua boy as a hero as well. A true local boy and a Marine at heart, Pep followed his father's footsteps, Jose Tablada Jr. of Kapa'a, Kaua'i, a Marine during the Vietnam War. Pep joined the Marines out of his love of our country, our freedom, and a passionate desire to protect our people.

He now serves as a team leader for the 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, based out of Kane'ohe Marine Corps Base.

As part of Task Force Tarawa, Pep is deep in the heart of Iraq conducting special operations and covert missions. Pep and his team function in crucial missions: deep reconnaissance and surveillance. But they are not in the limelight as we see on TV and hear on the radio. Pep's commanding officer has written to us describing Pep and his platoon as the "finest deep reconnaissance unit in over three decades ... I could not be happier with your Marines' display of professionalism and spirit. They are working smartly, not taking unnecessary risk, and setting new standards of excellence in the process."

We, his family and friends, are extremely proud of Pep and his team. They are terribly missed and we are all waiting for the day we can celebrate their safe return home. We love you Pep.

— Marisa Belen Ruiz