By Tiffany Lei Parel

Thomas is with the Army National Guard’s 227th Engineers from the Big Island and is stationed in Kuwait.

Thomas and I were married on April 28, 2004, in Las Vegas. Four months later we found out he was getting deployed. Thomas was so excited. I remember him saying: “The day has come, babe. Everything I trained for since 1997.” He made it seem like he was going on a vacation. But deep inside I knew he was scared, but like he said, he knew that one day he was going to help fight for someone’s freedom — and he was right.

Thomas was born at Hilo Medical Center and raised in Honoka'a. He graduated from Honoka'a High School in 1996.

We miss and love you a lot, Big Daddy T. Every day when I get up and before I go to sleep, I pray to the Lord above to bless all the soldiers at war and to bring them home safely.

By Staff Sgt. James Pacheco

We are stationed at Camp Ali and are enjoying the extreme heat. We'd like to thank all the people of Hawaiçi and our home unit, the 291st CBCS, for their support and aloha.

Staff Sgt. Lowrey Kim of the 291st Combat Com Squadron from Hilo helps prepare supplies for a convoy out of Camp Ali in Iraq.

Master Sgt. Lazaro Joaquin of the 291st Combat Com Squadron sends his thanks to the people of Hawai'i for their support and aloha.

Our son, Sgt. John M. Perry III, is with the 29th Support Battalion serving at LSA Anaconda in Iraq. We just wanted to send a short message to our hero. John, we love you and just want to let you know that the prayers are continuing to flow. Every night the stars shine so bright, the Big Dipper is right over our home, a kiss is always toward the sky for you and it makes us feel so very close to you at night. We're surrounded with warmth every night. My son, be safe and return home to all. The greatest gift is love, and we hold on to that. Aloha, Mom & Dad.

Here is a picture of myself, on the left, and my cousin, Master Sgt. Sonny Patoc. We are at a ceremony for his unit, the 298th Engineers of Pearl City, at Schofield Barracks a day before their departure for Afghanistan. They will be away for a year. I am with the 29th Brigade rear detachment and a member of force protection performing homeland security for the brigade while they are in Iraq. I want Sonny to know how much we all love him and hope for his safe return home. I also want to tell him mahalo for a job well done in the fight against terrorism and for our nation's freedom. "See ya when you return ... love ya, brah."

This is a picture of my only child, Travis Puana, 25, who recently arrived in Iraq with the Hawai'i National Guard's 29th Support Battalion. Also pictured is his daughter, Torie Puana, 2. They share a strong bond and she always asks for her daddy and we always reply, "Daddy's working" and she tells us, "He's coming ... pretty soon." Sometimes she cries herself to sleep asking for him to carry her. Those are heartfelt moments and we pray that this year will go by quickly. God speed and bring our sons and daughters all home safely. We need our 'ohana back.

Aloha! This is my husband, Capt. Julian Perez, who is with the 524th Corps Support Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks. They are currently deployed in Afghanistan and are due back in mid-March. We have an 8-month-old daughter who he has only seen as a newborn  and even then, for just two weeks. We greatly miss him and cannot wait for his safe return. We pray for all the troops to come home safely to their families. I just wanted to let my husband know how much we miss and love him. Keep up the awesome work! Hooah! See ya soon, baby! Kisses and hugs to you! Love, your daughter, Bella, and wifey Sarah

This is my pal, Jerry Pena. He's in Iraq now while his wife and kids are missing him in Germany. We have known each other for almost 20 years now, and although we both have families and lives of our own, we still keep in touch after all these years. I just want to shout out to him, "Eh, howzit! Hurry up, come home, eh?!" Aloha, Jerry! Here's 2 shakas jus' for you. K'den, take care & God bless. Aloha, Sis Andrea

Sending our love to our families and friends in Hawai'i. Thanks for all the love and support. From left, Sgt. Davin Takahashi, Sgt. Blandena Pagulayan, Sgt. John Mercado, Sgt. Sonia Desamito-Dietz, Sgt. Rochelle Einjel Esmena and Sgt. Dexter Pascua. We are stationed at Camp Liberty in Baghdad.

This is our son, Spc. Jay D. Pense. Jay is a 2002 graduate of Kaimuki High School. Upon graduation from high school, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Army as an 11B (infantry). He took his Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Ga., and was the Distinguished Honor Graduate for Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry (ITB). He went on to Airborne School, and upon graduation was assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash. He is deployed to Iraq, with the 25th Infantry Division's Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry. We are all very proud of him. We wish him well and can't wait to have him home. Our prayers are always with him and his team. With love always, Mom, Pops, Tina and Ryu.

My dearest brother, John, today I shared my thoughts of you to Mom and Carrielee. Nohea was talking about you and how much she misses hearing you call her your chocolate. On the way coming home from the hospital there was a car in front of us on the roadway just passing and as Nohea looked to her right she noticed on the back of the car's glass the word Chocolate. She said "I miss hearing Uncle John calling me his chocolate girl." The video turned out really nice. Mom and Dad got to watch it and so did Carrie. I'm gonna try to send some dry aku for you and the gang. Close to my heart, in strength and with prayer every day and night my brother siempre.

This is a picture of my boyfriend, IS3 Solomon Pena, who is stationed here in Hawai'i and who has been serving in Iraq since mid-July. I miss him dearly and pray for his safe return. I'm so proud of you, baby! You are missed more and more each day. May God's hands be upon you. I love you, and so does the family.

This is our brother, son and uncle, Sgt. Gary George Bermejo Par of 'Ewa Beach, stationed in Germany and deployed to Iraq. He was in Farrington High School Junior ROTC and graduated with the class of 1996. When he comes back home, he wants to eat at Todai, Zippy's and TGI Fridays. We love and send our alohas to him.

This is a picture of myself and my boyfriend, Sgt. Sunday Pres, who is serving in Afghanistan. He deployed on April 21. Sunday is stationed at Schofield Barracks as an engineer mechanic. He is with Headquarters/Charlie Company/65th Engineer Battalion. Sunday has been in the Army since he graduated from Jordan High (Long Beach, Calif.) in 1999. I miss him dearly and pray for his safe return home. 

My son-in-law, Sgt. 1st Class Randolph D. Pennington, who I think of as a son and love dearly, is in Afghanistan. He has been there since April. He is stationed at Schofield.

He has three children: Kayla, 10; Kyle, 8; and Christopher, 5. He is married to my daughter Karen Pennington, who he thinks the world of.

Randy is a wonderful husband and dad. I would like everyone to pray for him and all the troops.

He calls me Old Goat because when he first started dating my daughter I raised baby goats. I live in Mississippi. I love you Randy.

This is the group High Intensity, which is on a long year deployment in Iraq. They are spreading the aloha with local island vibes that rock not only in the islands but in Iraq as well.

Also included in the band is the well-known artist Braddah Ira from the group Kolea.

Members of the band in Iraq is Sgt. Domingo, Spc. Sapolu, Sgt, 1st Class Pray and Staff Sgt. Crisco.

Anybody can say that they rocked Hawai'i, and now they can say they rocked Iraq! Look for the group High Intensity as they come back from Iraq to rock once again in Hawai'i.

This is my husband Staff Sgt. Jimmy J. Peterson and our three week old son Jesse James Peterson. He had to leave for Afghanistan the day after Mother's Day. He is with the 25th Infantry Division Light Wolfhounds.

In the three weeks he was with his son I saw a brand new wonderful side to him. I love him in a very different way now. I just want to thank him and all the troops for defending my freedom. I also want to give a great big thank you to all the military families and friends out there supporting the troops.

To the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the name of freedom, I thank you with all the pieces of my heart.

This is my husband, Staff Sgt. Kenneth Parent, with our children the day he deployed for Afghanistan. He is with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Wolfhounds.

He has been in the Army now for over 11 years. We met when he was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with the 82nd Airborne Division. He is fiercely dedicated to his country, the Army, his squad and his family. He is the light of our lives and my best friend.

We miss him very much and we are very proud of our brave American soldier.

God keep them all safe and bring them all home soon.

Dakota, Serene and Jacob send their Daddy all their love and kisses.

My love, you are everything to us, so stay safe and be careful.

To our Wolfhounds, we are all proud of each one of you and wish you all a speedy and safe return into the arms of those who love you.

This is our family the day that my husband, Ben Parker, left to serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a soldier in the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment stationed at Schofield Barracks.  He makes me so proud to be an American, and we are so proud of him. All of the troops are in our prayers and his daughter, Izabelle, and I are looking forward to the day that we are reunited. God Bless our troops. I love you more than words could ever say, Ben.

Parks family photo

This is a picture of my husband, Sgt. Joshua Parks. Joshua is a dedicated and valiant soldier serving in Afghanistan. He was deployed with the 125th Signal Battalion on March 25. Baby, I love you and miss you very much. I pray every day for your safe return home.

Love always, Zoilita

This is Staff Sgt. Salmon Ponapart — a brother-in-law, son-in-law, husband and dad. He is from O'ahu and is stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with his wife, and my sister, Nichol, and their three kids, Chazlyn, Kylie and Kyle. He was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in August and has been there since.

We are very proud of you, Sal, and all that you have achieved as well.

We wish you a safe journey home and can't wait till you get back. We love and miss you! Come home soon.

Love,

Da Perrin and Da Ponapart Ohana

This our brother, son and uncle, Pvt. 2 Robert Perrin of the 82nd Airborne Division. He graduated from 'Aiea High School in 1999. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed to Iraq straight out of basic training.

He is now in Kuwait awaiting a flight back to Fort Bragg. He has a beautiful daughter, Alanna, who he loves very much.

We love and miss him very much and can't wait till he comes home in March.

Love,

Da Perrin and Da Ponapart Family

By Scarlett Colburn

My son Pfc. Justin Parel of Makiki is with the U.S. Army, HHB 17th Field Artillery Brigade, out of Fort Sill, Okla.

He is a 2000 graduate of Roosevelt High School.

He joined the Army in the fall of 2002 and did his training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He graduated as a 54 Bravo, specializing in nuclear, biological, and chemical agents. He has been deployed since April and is serving in Iraq.

Justin really misses the beach, eating local food and hanging out with the family.

We are praying for him and our troops, and wish them a safe mission and a quick return.

We are all very proud of you for serving our country.

By Fred S.H. and Gaye Poei

Lt. Jonathan Y. Poei was born in Honolulu to Larry and Setsuko Poei. He graduated in 1998 from Yokota High School as a valedictorian at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan and is a 2002 cum laude graduate of the University of Washington, where he was commissioned to the U.S. Army through the ROTC program.

Jonathan attended officer training school at Fort Lee, Va., in July 2002. He moved to his first permanent duty station in Georgia in early January 2003. He's been deployed since Jan. 26.

Please join our family and church in prayers for his quick and safe return home.

By Zeny Olivas (Pastor)
Leilehua High School Class of 1987

My husband, Chief Warrant Officer Noel E. Pastor, graduated from Waialua High and Intermediate School in 1987. He joined the Army in 1988 and briefly served with the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry before going on active duty. We are stationed in Fort Eustis, Va., but he has been in the Middle East since February.

We have two daughters, Naomi and Noelani. We miss him dearly. He wishes to extend his love and aloha to our families and friends in Hawai'i, especially to his nephews Joshua and Ralph.

He said he's dying for Spam musubi, 'ahi poke, tako poke and longanisa. And of course, if he had his way, he would rather be in two of his favorite places: Wahiawa Zippy's and Dong Yang Inn Korean Restaurant.

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.

Prinea family photo

By Rose Prinea

My husband, Cpl. Frank Prinea III, is a 4th Force Reconnaissance Marine now attached to the 1st Force Reconnaissance Unit. He was deployed to the Middle East earlier this year. We have a daughter, Kaceylin, who anxiously awaits his return. I am proud of the man he is and the Marine he is.

When not training hard at the base, he spent the majority of his free time preparing himself in every possible way. It was his dream as a Marine to serve his country in war should his country need him. And when that time came, he was thankful for the opportunity to put his skill and training to work for his country.

We love him and miss him, and pray for his safe return. He is our hero. Here is a picture of him at our recent wedding.

Pauline family photo

By Collette Pauline

My son is serving our country aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64). For Petty Officer 3rd Class Guysen E. Pauline, an aviation engineer from Waipahu, a typical work shift is 12 to 14 hours a day launching various types of aircraft. He grew up in Waipahu and went to Waipahu High School. He was fifth in the state in wrestling. Waipahu High's baseball team chose him as the MVP on the 2000 team. Soon after graduation, he joined the Navy not knowing there was going to be a war.

Back in 1976-77, his father, Guy Pauline, served on the same aircraft carrier as his son does now. Wow! How often does that happen? His dad is now a crane operator and is very proud to have his boy follow in his footsteps.

Guysen is married to his high-school sweetheart, Beverly, who is studying at UH to become a civil engineer. His sisters, Alexa and Penny, are graduates of Waipahu High. Our 'ohana has sent him four boxes of local-kine grinds. We made sure he has all his favorite eats so it would make him feel a little closer to home.

Photo courtesy Damaris Parongao

By Damaris Parongao

It is with great honor and pride that I present my husband, Staff Sgt. Brandon Parongao. Brandon was born and raised in Lihu'e, Kaua'i, and attended Kapa'a High School. He joined the United States Air Force in November of 1998.

Brandon supported Operation Enduring Freedom and is in Saudi Arabia supporting the ongoing war. He is presently stationed at Barksdale AFB, La., and was on his way home when he was called to serve his country.

Brandon wants his friends and family — especially his mother, Theresa (he is a mama's boy) — to know that he is well and can't wait to come home. God bless our troops and may they all return home quickly and safely.