By Fred Barbosa

I'd like to share a photo of my son Sheldon, posing with some fellow Air Force troops from Hawai'i serving in the United Arab Emirates.

Sheldon, 19, grew up in Waikele and is a graduate of the Hawai'i Air National Guard Youth Challenge Academy.

He is an Air Force firefighter stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in eastern New Mexico, near the Texas panhandle.

He joined the Air Force in August 2005 and is following in the footsteps of myself and three uncles who served in the Air Force.

His unit is deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.

By Lt. Col. Harold Kwon

Far from home and familiar faces, two soldiers from the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade out of Fort Shafter are currently deployed to Iraq and assigned to Multi-National Corps Iraq.

Sgt. Brian Beaty and I have been assigned to a mission that separated us from the rest of our unit.

We are stationed with the Republic of Korea Division, northern Iraq. We are stationed here with a few U.S. soldiers and a few civilian contractors. So it's like being with two different countries at the same time.

We are the only soldiers from Hawai'i in northern Iraq, known as the Kurdish region. Looking for ways to make things feel a little more like home, we have surfing posters hanging on walls in the office and rooms.

To bring the "aloha spirit" and pride to the area, during our free time we decided to paint a Hawaiian flag on the wall that protects us from mortar explosions and rocket attacks. Seeing the flag reminds us of the beautiful paradise we have that awaits us when we return home safely.

By Maj. Heide Bronke

I’m seen here in front of several Saddam heads that were removed from the Republican Palace in Baghdad.

I am a civil affairs officer assigned to Multi-National Force-Iraq as the senior liaison officer to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and liaison to the Ministry of Displacement and Migration. I deployed to Iraq in June 2005 with the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade out of Fort Shafter Flats, and have been assigned to the 322nd for the past three years. 

As the liaison officer to UNAMI, I help ensure the U.N. receives security and logistical support from MNF-I, with the goal of expanding UNAM’s presence in Iraq.

The U.N. has plans to open satellite offices soon in Erbil and Basra. The U.N.’s mission in Iraq is primarily political, focused on facilitating the constitution and election processes, and humanitarian, providing relief and reconstruction assistance to populations in need.

By Anthony Bolante

I participated in rescue, recovery and relief operations in and around New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. I was in New Orleans as an operations officer of the Army National Guard aviation task force working the multitude of air missions out of Naval Air Station Belle Chasse.

The photo is of me (on the right) and a Navy refueler aboard the USS Shreveport, which was docked along the Mississippi River in New Orleans.

The ship was one of the few safe places to land our aircraft for fuel around New Orleans. It also was my first experience landing aboard a Navy ship to refuel. The whole New Orleans Hurricane Katrina story was a first for me in so many respects.

By Tim Burton

By Tairah Bumanglag

He is with the 94th Engineer Company, based in Vilseck, Germany, and has been deployed to Iraq since January.

We just want him to know that we love and miss him so much and there’s a lot of prayers going out to him every night. Six months down, six months to go, Baby. We can’t wait for your safe return.

Take care and God bless. Until then all my love. Go get um, Soljah, Hooah! 

We love you,

Your wifey and girlies

By Tim Burton

Here is a photo of me and Iraq Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. This photo was taken in Baghdad at a Fourth of July get-together.

I am from the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade out of Fort Shafter, part of the 9th Regional Readiness Command. In my civilian life I am a celebrity, modeling and scenery photographer.

I am a Defense Logistics Agency civilian liaison/customer service representative for the 42nd Infantry Division in Tikrit, Iraq. I lived in Kane'ohe in the early 2000s and still have many close friends on O'ahu, and visit regularly. Although no longer an official resident, my heart still belongs to the Islands. On visits to the Middle East, I regularly bump into kama'aina at checkpoints and we talk pidgin for a few minutes. Reminds me of some very, very good days.

My brother, Capt. Canaan Blake, is serving in Iraq as the company commander of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 112th Armor Regiment, of the Texas Army National Guard. Canaan graduated from Kaua'i High School and the University of Hawai'i. Our family is 100 percent behind him and all the troops fighting to make the world a better place. Mahalo to all of the friends and family who have prayed for him and sent him goodies from home.

My brother, Airman 1st Class Andrew Blankenship, recently got shipped off to Iraq. He has been at an air base just outside Balad, north of Baghdad, for just over a month. My mom, Cindy, and I are currently in e-mail contact with him. Andrew is a 1999 graduate of Kalani High School. He has been in the Air Force for about two years. He is a gunner in a helicopter crew with the 20th Special Operations Wing.

Hi, my name is Tehani-Rose. I and my baby sister, Daiza-Lynn, would like you to meet our daddy, Sgt. Zachary Bumanglag.

Here is a picture of him, center, and his buddies, Spc. Michael Rogers, left, and Spc. Gilberto Arias in Iraq.

We are stationed in Vilseck, Germany, with the 94th Engineer Battalion, but came home to Hawaiçi after Daddy left.

We pray for him every night so he won’t get hurt and for him to come home to us. We love and miss him a lot. Keep Daddy safe because we love him so much!

XOXOXOXO

God bless our troops.

My son, Sgt. Ryan Keaka Baqui, is with the Hawai'i National Guard's 29th Infantry Brigade. He trained at Pohakuloa on the Big Island prior to going to Iraq in January 2005. All his family, the Wards and the Baquis, miss him. Especially his 7-month-old daughter and his wife, Kaimana. We all wish him well and send lots and lots of love and kisses. Stay safe!

My son, Brett James Bailey, is serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan with the 25th Infantry Division (Light). He is scheduled to end his one year of service there on March 14. He is the bravest son I could ever imagine! We love him so much. He lost his only sibling, his brother, Eddy, while he was in boot camp in Georgia. Eddy was 20 and died of meningococcemia while a student at UW-Madison in Wisconsin. Brett has had to grieve and serve his country at the same time. He is my biggest hero ever.

This is my husband, Staff Sgt. Norbert M. Baluyot. He is with Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery of the Hawai'i Army National Guard. This photo was taken in Louisiana before his deployment to Iraq. His kids, Chantell, 19; Nathaniel, 9; and Charis, 8; and I are very proud of him. We miss him very much and pray that God protects him along with the other soldiers. We love you, miss you and hope this year goes by fast!

This is my husband, William Blakeslee Jr., who is in Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment. We miss him and pray for his safe return home. Babe, we love you and can't wait for you to get home and see your new baby boy. Spc. William Blakeslee Jr. has a new baby boy to meet when he gets home from Afghanistan.

My husband, Sgt. Ryan Baqui, a 1999 Kalaheo High graduate, will be deployed to Iraq for a year. He is with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment of the Hawai'i National Guard. He left the island in October when our daughter, Leila, was only 6 weeks old. He spent three months at Fort Bliss, Texas, and a month at Fort Polk, La., in high-intensity combat training. We spent Christmas together as a family while he was home on a two-week rest period. Leila and the rest of the family drive him to do his job well and to come home to us safely. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We miss him and love him so much. We can't wait to be together again.

These two Island boyz is from the island of O'ahu. On da left, Bradda Jay (Staff Sgt. Daniel Jay Chaviera) was born and raised in Halawa and is a graduate of 'Aiea High School, '89. On da right, Bradda Junior-boy (Capt. Loreto V. Borce Jr.) was born and raised in Kalihi Valley and is a graduate of Damien High School, '96. They are both deployed in Afghanistan and serving with the 25th Aviation Brigade.

Aloha from Bagram, Afghanistan. This is a picture of my family at the Pali Lookout: my mother, Louise; daughters Cori, 10, and Taylor, 6; myself; and my wife, Jeniffer. I'm looking forward to returning to Hawai'i to be with my 'ohana! Thanks for all your support.

Lance Cpl. Grant Burris was raised in Wichita, Kan. He is a loving father to a 2-year-old son, Aiden, and has always been a loving and caring person. Grant is serving with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, in Iraq. This picture was taken earlier this year when he was home on leave. His family and friends miss him dearly and pray that he comes home safe and very soon.

This is my son, Sgt. Hupert D. Balatbat, a medical specialist who is stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and is deployed to Seoul, South Korea. He is a graduate of Waipahu High School. I'm so proud of him and miss him a lot. I'm looking forward to seeing him this Christmas. We love you and are praying for your safe return.

This is a more recent picture of me and my strong, hilarious boyfriend and best friend, James Bridges III (Jimmy). It was taken when he was on leave in September from Afghanistan. He is with the 25 Infantry Division (Light). He is terribly missed by me; his parents, Cheri and Jim; his sister Nicki; his 3-year-old son, J.T; and friends. We all can't wait to have you home, and I can't wait to have my hardest laugh, my greatest peace, and best friend back home with me. You are truly a gift in my life and I thank God every day for the support, laughter and love that you give me. We are all praying for you and all the troops to return home safely. Love you, Mic.

Hey, Dad! It was nice to have you here for R&R. You got to watch my tackle football games, play PS2 with me and, most of all, you got to meet my newborn sister, your daughter, Trinity.

My husband, Spc. Billy Barrett Jr., is deployed in Afghanistan with the 25th Infantry Division (Light). I never knew I could possibly love him any more than I already did, but I found I was wrong. His never-ending strength, motivation and determination has revealed a side I hadn't seen before he joined the Army, much less this deployment. I have found a new love, honor and respect for him after all the sacrifices and struggle he has endured without fear. The picture of us was taken while he was on R&R in July. ... The picture talks without words. I admire, miss, and love him without end and he truly is my hero.

My name is Wayne Birgado and I work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here in Afghanistan. I was born in Wahiawa, and still live there. I would like to say hi to the people of Hawai'i, especially my family, which loves and cares for me day after day. Dear God, keep me safe so I may go home, back to my family, when my assignment is completed.

This is my husband, Sgt. Michael Bajo, who was deployed to Iraq in March with the 411th Engineer Battalion. He was born and raised in Wahiawa. His family misses him very much and he tells us in every phone call and e-mail how much he misses us.

He is looking forward to going to the beach when he comes home. We are always praying for his safe return.

I pray for all the men to have a safe return home to their families. May God bless them and their families. Aloha.

This is my son, James Bridges III. He is 21 years old and deployed in Afghanistan with the 25th Infantry Division (Light). He has left behind a wife, Jessica, and 2-year-old son, JT, not to mention his parents and a sister. Pray for all of them that they make it home safe.

Sgt. Boyd Lawrence Bentley (a born-and-raised Desert Rat) is a man who has many faces. His soldiers know him as a hard-working person whom you never second-guess. My son and I know him as a man you can always depend on. No matter the situation, he will always be there. He is stationed in Iraq, and we miss him very much. We hope to see him soon. We love and miss you! He is a devoted husband, father and, most of all, my best friend.

I wanted to share this picture of my husband, Staff Sgt. Chad C. Borchers, with a group of Iraqi children. He is a great father, husband, and soldier. Chad, if you see this, just know that I love you and I'm very, very proud of you. God Bless!!!

This is a picture of Sgt. 1st Class Kevin M. Brown. My husband has been in the military for 19› years. In this time he has seen several duty stations, including Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; and Berlin, Germany, just to name a few.

Kevin, the father of seven, is deployed to Iraq from Schofield Barracks. He was in Desert Storm and in the three years we have been in Hawai‘i most of his time has been spent deployed — in 2002 to Bosnia and now to Iraq.

He has sacrificed so much. When given the choice, he took a stand and decided he needed to be with his soldiers in Iraq. 

Kevin, you are a true role model for our children. It is the things that you continue to do that help others to realize the freedom that is offered to them. You are a great husband, father, and most of all a great soldier. 

Great job, Baby — you have been the best you can be and I only hope you are able to share that with the guys you are with now.

This is a picture of our wonderful Wolfhound, my husband, Cpl. Jeremy L. Bixler. He is with 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, in Iraq. We are very proud of our Daddy and all the wonderful Wolfhounds for everything they are doing.

This picture was taken when Jeremy returned from Iraq for his two weeks R&R. It was the first time he saw our son Collin. Daddy we miss you and love you very much. We can't wait to be together again. Be safe and come home soon.

Wolfhounds be safe over there and return to us soon.

We love you Jeremy.

Betty and Collin

Hooaah!

She is the daughter of Basilio, a retired Army man, and Petra Bautista of Waipahu. Her friends in Mississippi are proud of Spc. Bautista's deep commitment to her country, as well as her great strength of character.

We send her our warmest aloha and prayers for her safe return.

'Ohana means family and family means no one is left behind or forgotten.

Aloha nui loa from Pastor Julie Two Suess, Cindi, John and the congregation of Cornerstone Metropolitan Community Church in Mobile, Ala.

By Sonny and Shirley Balcobero

When Sonny Jay, our only son in a brood of three, decided to join the Marines, we felt a mixture of disbelief, apprehension and relief. Because of his valor and gallantry, we cannot overemphasize how proud we are of him.

Sonny Jay graduated from Waipahu High School in 1996 and after attending Leeward Community College and DeVry Institute of Technology in Phoenix, he joined the U.S. Marines and is presently assigned with the H & S Co., 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Comm. at Twentynine Palms, Calif.

He is deep in the heart of Iraq serving our country, and for this we are proud of him. Cpl. Balcobero, we all miss you. We are proud of you, and we always pray for your safety as well as that of all members of the coalition. Come home soon — the pupus are waiting. Semper Fi! Ooo-rah!

Broyard family photo

By The Broyard family

We are the proud family of Army Pfc. Dustin Broyard, now serving in Baghdad. Dustin is a 1997 graduate of Waipahu High School. He and his wife and two children live in Fort Story, Va.

He loves his animals and low-rider cars. He left his friends and family in Hawai'i to make his career in the Army.

He carries his aloha wherever he goes; he tries to spread aloha in the Army by telling them about our myths and legends.

We all love him and pray for his safety.

By Donna Rosa

This is my brother, Sgt. 1st Class Robin Paul Bacon, aka "The Flying Hawaiian," of the 62nd Medical Unit stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. He graduated from Pearl City High School in 1981 and enlisted in the Army shortly after.

He is loved by everyone. Whenever he comes home on leave, everyone would come over to see him. That's just the kind of guy he is. You want to be wherever he is going to be.

He's also a very caring and loving father, son and brother and has a great sense of humor.

He is my best friend. I miss him a lot. We all do.

So stay safe, be strong, and hurry home. We're all very proud of him.

We love you, Robin.

By Barbara and John H. Brown

We, the family of a special "G.I. Joe" deployed in the Middle East, proudly introduce you to Kevin Hawea Kenji Brown, a captain in the U.S. Army, currently on staff with the 3rd Brigade, which is attached to the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga.

Kevin grew up in Kane'ohe, graduating from Kamehameha Schools, class of 1988. He began his military career in the JROTC program at Kamehameha. After graduating from Colorado College, he earned his commission in 1992. He was based in California and deployed to Korea, Egypt and Kosovo. Currently, he is stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., where Margi, his wife, is a teacher at the elementary school.

In addition to Hawai'i and Georgia, Kevin's 'ohana is in Wisconsin, Texas, Oregon and Nevada.

We regularly send care packages to him, everything from socks to eye drops. There's always a package or two of local- kine goodies — dried cuttlefish, ginger, dried mango and dried marlin — which he offers to others. Kevin wrote "they stay away from the smelly stuff — Oh well, more for me."

We are touched by and grateful for everyone's prayers. These have helped us to keep our faith for Kevin's safe return. He is one of many sons and daughters who accept their duty without a doubt, serve our country with courage and do so in the name of freedom for all. We are honored to have our son, an officer and gentleman, a part of our family.

By Greg Brannan and Nicole Gust-Brannan

From left, Airman 1st Class Kristin Theineman, Master Sgt. Don Pigg, Staff Sgt. Greg Brannan and Master Sgt. Mark Gusky give the shaka sign in this photo taken just before the war started. All four are stationed with the 15th Civil Engineering Squadron and are nuclear, biological and chemical warfare specialists from Hickam Air Force Base.

By Terry Lynn Haynes

I would love for you to put this picture of my son-in-law Sgt. Donald A. Bartlett in the paper. Donald and my daughter, Jennifer, have been married for about 19 months. They met when Jennifer went to Hawai'i for a vacation.

He is in Kuwait making all of us so proud. He is such a wonderful person, I couldn't ask for a more wonderful son-in-law. Because of him and the others, we here in our great country are able to live such good lives.

I hope Donald will be home in time for Jennifer's birthday in May.

To all our guys, you make us all so proud. Thank you.

By Patrick V. Bool

My daddy's name is PNC Francisco Z. Bool of the USS Paul Hamilton stationed in Pearl Harbor. He was away from home since August 2002. We communicate through e-mail and sometimes he calls me.

One thing I'm proud of my dad is because he is in the service for 17 years and he enjoyed his job. He is responsible for the personnel files of all the people on the ship. Although he is a chief petty officer, he sometimes likes to serve food to the sailors like in this picture.

He is a hero to me because he is in the Persian Gulf defending our country. I'm 12 years old from Saint Louis Catholic School and I'm his only child. I miss him.