Steve Traynor | Killeen (Texas) Daily Herald via AP

By James & Lorrie Roller

Our son, Sgt. Pomaikai Garza, is stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, with the 15th Sustainment Brigade, First Cavalry Division.

He deployed to Iraq with his unit for the second time on Aug. 3.

He is originally from Honolulu, a 1992 graduate of Moanalua High School. He enlisted in the Army in May 1999.

His maternal grandfather, Robert Aubuchon, 77, is a retired Army master sergeant and served for 20 years. His paternal grandfather, the late Senior Chief Storekeeper Raymond T. Garza, served in the Navy for 24 years.

This picture was taken as Pomaikai's bus was pulling away, and he "captured" one more kiss from his beloved wife, Tanya.

By 2nd Lt. Anthony D. Buchanan

After high school, many seniors struggle with the question, “What do I do now?” Staff Sgt. Jon Garrick, a member of the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion from Fort Shafter, decided to join the U.S. Army.

Garrick is currently deployed to Iraq. He has been working in the military intelligence field for almost nine years and said he is very proud of his achievements and accomplishments. He is a graduate of Newark Academy in Livingston, N.J.

When asked what he missed most about home, Garrick said, “It’s more like what don’t I miss.” He said he misses his wife and his cats, Betsey and Cobber, the most.

Garrick said he enjoys being part of the Army team in Iraq. It’s been the most rewarding part of the deployment for him.

“The best thing about being deployed is the camaraderie among fellow soldiers,” he said.

When he returns home, he plans to further his Army career and spend a little more time at home.

By Judy Fye

This is Sgt. Zane Giron, standing behind the child in purple. He is with the 29th Brigade Combat Team from Schofield Barracks in Hawai'i, stationed at LSA Camp Anaconda in Iraq. Thanks for the pictures. Love you and miss you so much.

My brother-in-law, Sgt. 1st Class Joel Gonzalez, has been in Afghanistan since May 2004. He is an E-7 in the Army, assigned to the 1-62 Air Defense Artillery, 25th Infantry, Scho- field Barracks. Each and every day we think about him and pray for his safety. Please bring him home soon! We love and miss you!

I'm proud to present my brother, my hero and savior, Spc. Michael Geisler of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery. This photo was taken during training at Fort Bliss, Texas, prior to his deployment to Iraq/Kuwait. We are all so proud of the job that he is doing, we'd all like to just say, "Good job." On behalf of his family and friends, we wish him all the best and Godspeed for his return home safe and sound. Our family would also like to send a shout out to the 1st Battalion: "Hiki No (Can Do Always)!"

This is our daughter, Lt. Col. Christine Marie Gayagas, who until recently was stationed at the Baghdad International Airport with the Multinational Headquarters (III Corps). She returned to Fort Hood, Texas, after being in Iraq for 13 months. She is a 1984 graduate of West Point and is scheduled to be promoted to full colonel on March 4 by Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, III Corps commander at Fort Hood. Her 6-year-old daughter, Madison, and husband Doug are happy for her return. We are proud of all the troops serving in harm's way. We wish all of them well and pray for their safe return.

Sgt. Alexander Griffin of the 2-35 Infantry Battalion of Schofield Barracks enjoys one of the numerous activities while on a one-year deployment in Afghanistan. Griffin, a 1997 Pearl City graduate, has been serving this country in active Army duty for eight years.
The Griffin and Limoz families, along with all other acquaintances, are eagerly awaiting his safe return this April.
God Bless all the soldiers around the world serving their country. Much love to all the soldiers at the forgotten war, in Afghanistan.
Thank you, always be safe, and we love you!

This photo is of my husband, Sgt. Robert Garcia, shown third from the left, along with Sgt. Mario Gonzales and Sgt. Ciraldo Guerrero. They serve with the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light) based at Schofield Barracks. My husband has been serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Af- ghanistan since May 2004. We have three children, Robert Jr., Jennavie and Anthony. We pray every day that Sgt. Garcia, along with other soldiers serving, will return home safely.

This is Spc. Brandon R. Gulley. He isÊcurrently on deployment in Kirkuk, Iraq, with the 25th Field Artillery Detachment. Brandon is a dedicated son, brother, uncle, spouse, and now ... father. On Sept. 15, we were blessed with little Rachel Ann Jalee. She looks just like her daddy. Even though he is so far away, Brandon calls and e-mails us every chance he gets to tell us how much he loves us. We cannot put into words how lucky and proud we are to be his family. He has shown us courage, strength, and most of all ... LOVE. We anticipate the day when he returns home and is safely in our arms. We love you, Brandon!

Sgt. Ezra Kaimana Glover comes from the Ma'ili area of the Wai'anae Coast. He is a 1997 graduate of Wai'anae High School who went into the Army just after high school. He is one of many local men and women who are very proud to serve their country and protect our right to freedom. He is currently in Kirkuk, Iraq, with the 25th Engineer Battalion (Lightning Sappers). We want you to know that your family and friends are behind you 100 percent. We miss you very much and look forward to your safe return. Aloha from Hawai'i, Mom and Dad

This is the love of my life, Spc. Carlos Gonzalez!

He has been serving in Afghanistan along with his comrades from the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division (Light), since April. I admire my love's courage, dedication, strength and humor.

Having him by my side is the No. 1 thing I miss most of all. He has brought nothing but smiles and laughs to my life. I have been blessed with his love and presence.

My love, you are missed dearly here in Houston. I pray for your safety throughout this journey and until your return.

Siempre Te Amo y estas en mi mente.

Hi, Sweetheart,

Everything is fine and flowing here in Afghanistan. I thank God every day for presenting me with my most precious gift in the world. And that gift is a wife — a wife who understands the rigors that I am required to endure while serving in a foreign land.

Sad to say, I've spent more time in Afghanistan than on the beautiful island of O'ahu with you and the boys. As I have mentioned many times over, I would rather fight the enemy on their turf than risk another attack on our homeland.

I love you and I can’t wait to see you and my two sons when I get home.

Our son Nicholas Geiman is serving with the 1st Platoon, 25th Transportation from Schofield Barracks. We would like to thank the entire 1st Platoon and the rest of the soldiers deployed from Schofield Barracks for serving our country with honor. We wish all of you a safe return back to your families.

Sincerely,
Kent & Dee Dee Geiman
Iowa City, IA.

This is my husband, Sgt. Charles W. Graniela, who is in Afghanistan.

My husband joined the Army straight out of high school in Puerto Rico. He started off with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. During his fifth year at Fort Bragg, he received orders to Kosovo, where he served six months.

When he returned, he received orders to Schofield Barracks. We were married on July 30, 2001, and moved to Hawai'i in January of 2002. He was assigned to the Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Bobcats. While in Hawai'i, we were blessed with a beautiful boy in March of 2003.

Although I have never spent an anniversary with him because of his career, I'm lucky to be one of the many women in this great nation to be called a military wife. It is a title I gladly accept and am extremely proud of.

My father was in the Army and because of that, I have nothing but the utmost respect for all military personnel. May God keep you all safe. My family and I are all very proud of you and appreciate everything you do for this nation.

To my husband, we love and miss you a lot. We are so very proud of you. I believe in what you are doing. Keep safe and kick butt! Big Bone, te quiero mucho.

My son is Adam Green, a soldier with the 25th Infantry Division serving in Iraq. Adam is originally from Independence, Mo.

This is my husband, Sgt. David Gutierrez of Bravo Company, 1-27 WOLFHOUNDS! He's stationed in Iraq, and we miss him terribly. Not only is he a wonderful father to Andrew, 6, and Jeremiah, 5 months, he is a terrific husband, a brave man and an outstanding soldier. 

David has been in the Army for six years now and I'm proud to say that he is trustworthy and responsible. I know as long as my husband is there, his team is safe.

David grew up in San Jose, Calif., and we moved to beautiful Hawai'i in October 2001. We are very, very proud of you, Honey, and we anxiously await your safe return. God Bless you always with lots of aloha!

My husband, Spc. Shawn Gorman, is with the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment Wolfhounds in Iraq. He is the armorer for his company. He is a very hard worker and doesn't get much credit for what he does. I wish him well and hope that one day someone sees all the stuff that he does and rewards him for it.

By Zenaida de Guzman

My son Mark Philip de Guzman is a 20-year-old Army soldier stationed in Tikrit, Iraq. He enlisted into the Army as soon as he graduated from Waipahu High School in 2001. Mark is a specialist in mechanics and a member of the 4th Infantry Division.

Mark is proud to be serving his country and, most importantly, never forgets that he is just a local boy from the Islands. Joining the military was an unexpected and life-changing decision. The war operation in Iraq has drastically influenced his perspective on life when compared with his comfortable life in Hawai'i.

He has constantly mentioned to his family that although he is physically in the midst of a war, he is grateful for his experiences and this opportunity for self-growth. He understands that being in a war is a scary reality, but what keeps him hanging on are the prayers, letters and words of encouragement from family and friends.

Mark prays that he and other U.S. troops return home safely, and he sends his aloha to his family, friends and the Hawai'i community. Mark's caring heart and strong spirit is missed. His family praises his bravery and the courage that the other U.S. soldiers have during this time of conflict.

By Walter and Sadie Yamada

Our grandson Wesley Gass is serving in Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division.

Wesley graduated from the University of Hawai'i in 1999. After graduation, he returned to Virginia, where he was raised. He enlisted in the Army in 2001 and served in Germany.

On Feb. 14, he shipped out from Fort Stewart in Georgia for Kuwait and then on to the war. Now he's in Baghdad, Iraq, with the tank troops.

With the intensity of the war diminishing, hopefully we'll be hearing or seeing him soon.

His mother was born and raised in 'Aiea and Wesley spent some summer vacations with us.

Gallagher family photo

By Mike Gallagher

I am very proud of our two! My son, Sean Gallagher, is in the Air Force with specialized skills in base security and load factoring air cargo flights from Aviano Air Force Base in Italy and a secured air field in Iraq. He travels regularly between the two bases.

His wife, Stormy, recently graduated from Air Force training in San Antonio and is stationed in Cheyenne Mountain, Colo., where she is a computer specialist.

Sean, 27, is a graduate of Kalaheo High School and has been in the Air Force for four years. He met Stormy, a native of Montana, when he was stationed there at Malmstrom Air Force Base. They have been married for two years.

Great kids. Great country. We are so very proud of them both.

By Elbin Gandeza Sr.

My son, Marine Lance Cpl. Keoki Gandeza, is serving with his motor pool transport unit in Al Kut, between Baghdad and Nasiriyah. The Marines are also involved with humanitarian assistance, providing food to civilians.

Keoki's unit left Camp Lejeune, N.C., in January.

He was raised on Maui and moved to O'ahu, graduating from Waipahu High School in 2000. He lettered in football and track and in his senior year won the OIA 145-pound wrestling title.

He follows in the footsteps of a family of Marines. I am a retired Marine combat platoon sergeant (Vietnam). There also are his grandfather, Gunnery Sgt. Keoki Clark (Korean and Vietnam) and third cousins Staff Sgt. John Gandeza (Silver Star in Vietnam) and Gunnery Sgt. James Gandeza.

The 'ohana prays daily for its "devil dog" to receive God's protection and to return home to tank a cold Heineken with us waiting Leathernecks. We miss ya. Aloha son — Semper Fidelis.

Gino family photo

By Annie Gino

Our daughter, Amanda Gino, is serving our country at Camp Udairi in Kuwait, 10 miles from the border with Iraq. Amanda, 19, is a graduate of Kaiser High School's class of 2001.

She was attending the University of Wisconsin and was just 1 1/2 weeks into her first semester as a freshman when she was activated as a member of the Wisconsin National Guard.

Her unit was deployed from Fort McCoy in Madison, Wis., and Amanda arrived in Kuwait just days after the war started.

Amanda writes in her letters that it is very humbling being there and she misses us all very much.

Her family — mom Annie, dad Antonio, sister Alissa and brother Alex — misses her terribly.

We have no information on when she will come home.

We hope it is this summer, so she can be back in school in the fall.

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.