By Lincoln and Linda Victor

We wish to thank our çohana, friends and all those who prayed and wished our son, 1st Sgt. Mark Victor, a safe return home. We give thanks and praise to Ke Akua for watching over him while he was in harm’s way, serving in Iraq.

Ke Koa O Hawaiçi Nei … is now safely HOME.

Aloha no,

Lincoln and Linda Victor

By Lincoln Victor

Mark is the son of Lincoln and Linda Victor, and Charles is the son of Charles Sr. and Jeanine Kuahine.

By Joy Lynn Tungpalan

Rod, thanks for all the things you do for our country. You’re truly a hero to me and everyone else here. I know you miss home terribly, but be strong. I know you can do it. I hope and pray that you return safely. Miss you and love you very much. Take care and be safe.

By Christine Van Gieson

He is a 1999 graduate of Kamehameha Schools.

He joined the Army Reserves in April 2001 and has been deployed since February 2005. He is a wonderful father of two, Lilinoe, 5, and Makoa, 18 months. As a civilian he is a branch operation specialist with Air Liquide America. 

I just want to say that we all miss you very much. You are in our thoughts and prayers every day. We pray for your safe return. 

Be safe out there. Stay alert.  Take care, my love. Hope to see you soon. I love you! 

Love You Always,
Christine

By Master Sgt. Annette Leialoha Tanner

My sister, Maj. Suzanne Vares-Lum, is from Kane'ohe and is part of the 29th Brigade Combat Team Intelligence Team stationed in Iraq.

I was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal —the nation's fifth-highest military honor — on April 9 on the occasion of my retirement from the U.S. Army Reserve after 25 years. I served in a variety of assignments and duty stations beginning with the famed 82nd Airborne Division during the Dominican Republic Crisis in 1965, two consecutive tours of duty in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 and in Kuwait during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. My mother, Edelmira; my sister, Martha Minson; and her husband, Jerry, live in Honolulu. I live in Prescott, Ariz., with my wife, Sandra. I am a retired Los Angeles police officer and a former detention officer with the Yavapai County (Ariz.) Sheriff's Office.

My husband, Sgt. 1st Class Roy Vincent, and daughter, Spc. Kiana Vincent, are both part of the 411th Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB) Unit, which was deployed to Baghdad. My husband is a member of the operations staff and my daughter is a chaplain's assistant. Roy has been a part of the 411th for more than 20 years. Kiana joined the Army Reserve in 2004 and coincidentally was assigned to the same unit. Roy is a 1971 graduate of McKinley High School and Kiana is a 2002 graduate of 'Aiea High School. Our family currently resides in 'Aiea. Most members of the 411th ECB have come home. My husband and daughter are in Kuwait as they are ensuring the return of the 411th equipment/machinery with about 20 other soldiers. We are anticipating their return sometime this month. Our family has endured this year through the strength of God.

Aloha, my name is Layla. I'm sending all my love to Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Viernes, who is deployed to Afghanistan with the 3rd Brigade. He has been there since early April 2004. We miss and love you very much and can't wait for your safe return home. May God bless you and bring you home safely and soon. The kids and I love you and can't wait to see you. Always remember you are my hero, my life, my love forever. "Rangers lead the way." Love always, Layla, Kiana and Jaiden

I am the proud girlfriend of Petty Officer Justin Vincler, who has been deployed to Iraq since Sept. 7, and assigned to a battalion from Marine Corps Base Hawai'i. Justin is a very caring and compassionate person. These traits are what make him a great Navy corpsman, and well-liked by everyone he meets.

Before I met Justin, I did not pay attention to this war or the issues. I didn't know anyone involved in the war personally and I just didn't want to hear about it. For me, it was just easier to tune it out. Now I'm consumed by all the news I see on TV and in the newspaper, and it's not just because my boyfriend is over there. But now I know firsthand how this has affected me, and how I took for granted the people who serve our country with dedication and devotion.

Everyone involved in any war directly or indirectly has sacrificed in one way or another. For me, like many others, it's the pain and agony of not knowing if your loved one is OK. I have many sleepless nights, anxiety and depression, which is a small sacrifice compared to the kinds of situations and conditions they have to constantly endure. This experience has greatly impacted my life forever and made me realize that we should never take the people who serve our country or their families for granted.

It brings sorrow and tears to my eyes to know that the greatest sacrifices are made by the unborn and young children who may never know their father or mother due to the war. These little ones will never get to experience the things that so many of us take for granted. My heart truly goes out to every military person and their families for giving a gift that no money could ever buy.

Thank you, Justin, my only "Bubbie," for being you. I now understand that without you, all the troops and their families all the commitment and perseverance would have no purpose. May all the troops return home safely to their loved ones. Like Justin says, "I'll see you soon." I truly love you now and forever — Bobina.

My children are all in the military. Conrad and Ligaya were in Iraq at the same time. Conrad spent his one year and returned with shrapnel still embedded in his chest and must carry a card to show when he goes through a metal detector.

After his R&R, he went to Afghanistan and then back to Colorado. He is getting ready to report to his new duty station at Schofield. Ligaya left Iraq after 15 months and was here for R&R but then went to Germany. Both have re-enlisted (his second, her first). 

Sgt. Lizzamaris Vazquez is a strong and loyal supply sergeant based out of Schofield Barracks, 40th Quartermaster Company. She has dutifully served in the Army for almost seven years and has been in Iraq since January. Sgt. Vazquez is also a wonderful and energetic mother.

These pictures are taken with her beautiful 4-year-old daughter, Kaymarie Vazquez, in California during her R&R leave.

Her daughter, family and friends look forward to her return by early next year.

Minson family photo

By Jerry Minson
Hawai'i Kai

My wife, Martha Minson, who has been a nurse at The Queen's Medical Center for 15 years, has an older brother, Art Valles. Art was called up to active duty and sent to Kuwait prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

He is a master sergeant with the Chaplain Headquarters. Art joined the Army when he was 19, and was in the 101st Airborne in the Dominican Republic. He served two tours in Vietnam. 

He is 58, and should retire after his tour in Iraq. He is shown here with Gen. Tommy Franks.

We are proud of Art's dedication and service to our country.

By Sarah Halbuna

I am the proud mother of a Marine. This is Cpl. Chaz J. Valentine, who is serving our country in Iraq. Chaz is attached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 2nd Tank Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.

He is stationed at Camp Pendleton, but his hometown is 'Ewa Beach. Chaz joined the U.S. Marines while a senior at Campbell High School and left two weeks after graduating in 2000. As a mother of a Marine, I must be strong in knowing my son is doing as he feels necessary for the protection of our country.

I haven't heard from him since January when he called to tell me he was being deployed to Kuwait. I pray for all our men and women to return home safely and God bless one and all.