By Roscoe Sakamoto

Aloha. Here is a photo of my auntie, Staff Sgt. Claire Lum Lee, currently deployed to Tal Afar in northern Iraq. She is assigned to the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade out of Fort Shafter, and is scheduled to return home this summer.

Auntie Claire has such a big heart, especially for the keiki in Iraq, who she says are beautiful children with big, expressive eyes. My parents and I always keep Auntie Claire and Uncle Gary in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that time flies quickly and she returns home safe and sound.

My mom made a promise to Auntie Claire that she wouldn’t golf until Auntie returned. Mom says that when Auntie returns they’ll pick up right where they left off — hacking away. Auntie Claire, we’re all so proud of you. I especially miss your hugs and laughter. Take care and God Bless!

Stay safe,
Roscoe

I received this picture from my husband, Sgt. Justin Lui, who is deployed to Iraq with the Hawai'i Army National Guard. He sent this picture to me on Valentine's Day via e-mail from Kuwait. Please post this picture so that he can know that his family and friends back home love and miss him, too!

This is our son, Sgt. Kekoa Lucas, and his wife, Yvette. Kekoa is in the National Guard. He is in Kuwait with the 1-487th Battalion, Charlie Company.
Kekoa and Yvette were married in July. Kekoa is blessed to have a loving, supportive wife. Kekoa is a 2000 Mililani High grad.
We are so proud of Kekoa and all the Guard. We pray every day for them that they all return safely. We pray for all the families here in Hawai'i, coping with the separation.
We love you so much and miss you. Hawai'i Guard, you are the best! God protect you all.

This is my brother, Richard-Kevin M. Largo. He is with the second 229th Infantry. This picture was taken during this recent Christmas, right after he opened his gifts. He is in El Paso, Texas, doing some training. In a couple of weeks, he is heading to Louisiana for more training. From there, he is going to Iraq. We are very proud of him, and we all miss him a lot. We couldn't be any prouder of you. So keep your head up and always know that we will be right here waiting for you. WE LOVE YOU.

Here are three Hawai'i Coast Guard reservists who are currently deployed and are providing harbor security at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba. Pictured left to right, aboard a USCG port security vessel: Petty Officer Stan Fukuda, coxswain, of Pa'ia, Maui; Chief Petty Officer Ira Foshay, assistant engineering chief, of 'Ewa Beach; and Cmdr. Jack Laufer, officer in charge, of Kailua. These men exemplify the Coast Guard's motto of being Semper Paratus (Always Ready) and have been serving on active duty since April of this year; they are expected to return back to the Islands in time for the upcoming holiday season.

This is a picture of my son, Spc. Jakob Kali Lairsey, and his wife, Phaedra, with their children, Lukas and Rylee. Jakob came home on July 3 for R&R from Kirkuk, Iraq. He is part of the 225th Forward Support Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light). Jakob was born in Hawai'i and is a 1995 graduate of Leilehua High School. He is looking forward to coming home to be with his family. Jakob misses the weather and local grinds. We miss him dearly and cannot wait for him to be back home. We continue to pray for his safety. Spc. Jakob Kali Lairsey, a Leilehua High graduate, was home in July with his wife, Phaedra, and their children, Lukas, left, and Rylee.

This is my husband Richard Landers. He is in Iraq, with the Army HHC 1-25 Avn Regt.

My husband and I were married on Nov. 16, 2003. This picture was taken a month before he deployed. Richard deployed from Wheeler in mid-January.

We meet in high school and since that day I have had a loyal friend as well as a lover. He joined the Army right out of high school in 2002; he's been in for two years now and I am proud to have an amazing soldier in my life. Richard is a wonderful man and husband.

I'm proud of you baby! I can't wait till that day when I can hold you and not have to let go. I love and miss you so much, I can't wait to celebrate your safe return home!  I LOVE YOU!!!

Tanya,

I can't wait to see you in September. I miss you and love you so much.

Until then, I will look up at the stars and see you there.

All my love, sweetheart.

Here is a picture of my husband Ociel, my daugther, and me, taken on March 23, 2004, the day he deployed to Afghanistan. Our hometown is Orange County, California. He has been in the Army for going on three years and is part of 2-27's Bravo Company, 3rd Brigrade.

Ociel is the sweetest person who has come into my and my daughter's life and we love him very much for everything he has given us.  We pray for your safe home return and your fellow soldiers. We can't wait for your homecoming and the lots of kisses and hugs to give ya! Take care out there baby, we love you and it's never good-bye, it's see ya soon!

Everyone misses you, we love you. You're always in our thoughts and prayers.

This photo is of my son, Michael (Heath) Lennon and new daughter-in-law, Cheryl (Rickett) Lennon. Both are U.S. Army military police officers. Heath is serving in Kirkuk, Iraq, with the 25th Military Police Company now, while Cheryl is serving back at home with 13th Military Police Company at Schofield Barracks.

Heath left for Iraq in January of this year and expected to probably get his leave sometime this summer, but he was lucky and got his leave early.

He was home on leave in April. He and Cheryl got married then after a whirlwind of preparations.

We had only about 10 days notice, but everything went great. We are all so very proud of them both. I can only imagine how hard it must be for them to be separated right now, when their new life together has just begun. I hope you both know how much we all love and miss you.

Be safe and be strong.

Sending you lots of love, hugs & kisses,

— Christy J. Walker

I am Dawn Leisure of Schofield Barracks. This is my husband, Sgt. Brian Leisure, of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment; he is stationed in Kirkuk, Iraq. I want him to know that his wife and kids are proud of him in all that he does and that he is in our prayers. Be safe, Babe! We love you very much and miss you, too.

By Dee and Wally Alcazar

We, the very proud grandparents of Pfc. Richard Lohiau Laureano, along with his mother, Debra Adlawan, would like to share our story about Richard.

After basic training at Ft. Benning, Ga., he went on to training in missile repair systems in Redstone Arsenal, Ala. After completion, he was transferred to Germany in August 2002.

He went on to Kuwait on May 25, 2003, then becoming part of a convoy that would travel to Baghdad. He is now among the Army's peacekeeping mission troops.

After the 9-11 attack against the United States, Richard made up his mind that he wanted to join the Army. His determination, bravery and concern for others has placed him exactly where he wants to be, fighting for freedom and democracy.

His entire 'ohana — the Sanchezes and the Adlawans — sends their warmest aloha and prayers, and look forward to a speedy and safe return for all our troops.

Richard, keep your aloha spirit, and we'll keep the home fires burning till you return.

By Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Lum

Our son Jeffrey is serving in the U.S. Air Force as a first lieutenant flying on the AWACS. He is the weapons officer in charge. He is based at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and left for deployment in December for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Jeff grew up in Pearl City and 'Aiea and went to Pearl City High School and the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. He graduated from the Air Force ROTC program and received his commission. He is flying daily out of an air base in the Persian Gulf. He truly misses home and can hardly wait to go surfing again.

By Gabriel R. Lapot

Jason J. Lapot has been serving his country for three years. After the 9-11 tragedy, Jason was assigned to Afghanistan, and now he's in the Persian Gulf.

I would like to thank my son Jason and all the brave men and women of the Armed Forces for their hard work, dedication, loyalty and to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Our love and aloha go out to you and your families.

Jason hurry back home. We love and miss you so much. We are so proud of you, Jason.

Damo family photo

By Ofelia B. Damo

My son, Spc. Paul Blue Locquiao, deployed to Kuwait in November 2002. He is stationed in Germany, and his unit was one of the first to arrive in Kuwait before the war started.

I went to Germany in October 2002 to see my first grandchild and to spend some time with him before his deployment.

I am so very proud of my son. I worry every day about his safety, and at the same time I am proud of his dedication to his country.

My son was born and raised in Wai'anae and has two sisters, Jaimee and Liza.

His wife and son are in Germany waiting for his safe return, and he misses them terribly.

We miss you, son. Please come back home soon and safe.

Love,

Mom, Uncle, Lindo, Liza, Jaimee and the girls

By Amie LaMarr

One of my best friends, Spc. Alan Luppy, is serving his country in Qatar. "Loops" is stationed at Schofield Barracks and is part of the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment. He was deployed to Florida in October, knowing that by willingly taking this assignment he had a great chance of being sent to the Middle East to help with the liberation of the Iraqi people.

While in Florida, he was reunited with an old friend, Jackie, whom he plans to marry as soon as he returns to the U.S.A. Loops was supposed to return home between April 9 and 11 but his duty has been extended. Originally from Texas, with a heart bigger than the state, Loops’ charms can make anyone smile. I can't wait until he returns home so that we can together sing, "The stars at night are big and bright … deep in the heart of Texas."