Toa-o-Samoa Participate In Historical Naturalisation Ceremony At Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory
Written by Easter Asi
Monday, 21 April 2008
Chaplin Leau, Ilalio, Tapusini
Toa-o-Samoa
On 12 April 2008, the first and largest overseas naturalization ceremony in history took place at Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory where over 250 U.S. service members raised their right hands in the heart of the war zone to take the oath of U.S. allegiance to become U.S. citizens. Participating in the historical event on the outskirts of Baghdad were six of our own Toa-O-Samoa: SSG Alumamalu A. Filoialii, SSG Maranata Temese, SGT Lauie A. Laban-Ilalio, PFC Thomas Eseroma, PFC Perry Fetu, and PFC Sialei Tapusini.
Presiding over the ceremony, LTG Lloyd J. Austin III, Commander XVIII Airborne Corps, eloquently conveys the strength of the United States of America: “Our nation's unique quality is that it weaves the world's cultures into a great American tapestry, and our military benefits from their strengths…thank you all for sacrificing so much for the United States and for the Iraqi people." Addressing the crowd’s unique ethnic and cultural diversity as the group recited the oath of citizenship vowing to “bear arms on behalf of the United States,” each service member was then called to the front of the room to receive a certificate of citizenship and a folded American flag.
Traveling from Tallil Airbase, southwest of Baghdad, were members of the 400th Combat Support Platoon (CSP): 1LT Puletasi Wong-Mageo, SSG Alumamalu A. Filoialii, PFC Thomas Eseroma and PFC Perry Fetu. 1LT Wong-Mageo is the 400th CSP Commander and traveled with his soldiers in support of this historical event. According to Wong-Mageo, “I have been involved from the beginning when we inquired about the US Citizenship process---obtaining information, completing and filing the applications, following-up with the legal office and sometimes with the Nebraska and Rome Offices for status. Also to represent the Soldiers families and friends, as well as Soldiers of the 400th CSP who could not witness this special event. I was there for them.”
The 400th CSP deployed last June from American Samoa to Ft. Hood, TX, where they mobilized as a plug in platoon for the 1015th Combat Support Maintenance Company from Ft. Gillem, GA. They arrived in Iraq back in August 2007 and are scheduled to re-deploy the third week of May.
1LT Wong-Mageo is the proud son of Mele Fili Mageo of Pago Pago and Hikan Wong from China; however, it was the late High Talking Chief Meauta Onosa’i Atufili Mageo of Pago Pago that raised Wong-Mageo. Although born in Pago Pago, he was raised in Upolu in the villages of Solosolo and Fagali’i. Today, he resides in Leone with his lovely wife and children.
SSG Filoialii is a Reverend hailing from Ta’u Manua; PFC Eseroma is the proud son of Jeanne and Lefanoga hailing from village of Vailoa; PFC Fetu is the proud son of Tafi Peneueta and Maneta Fetu and hails from Nu’uli. PFC Fetu shares his thoughts prior to returning to Tallil Airbase. “I love being a soldier because of the camaraderie, but getting my U.S. citizenship will provide more opportunities.”
Two service members of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) deployed from Ansbach Germany traveled from Camp Taji to participate in this historical event: SSG Temese and PFC Tapusini.
SSG Temese hails from Upolu, the villages of Falealili Satalo and Moata’a; he is married to Leaiseaiga A'asa of Iliili, American Samoa. He deployed with Golf Company, 12th CAB, of which he is a platoon sergeant for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Launch and Recovery Site (LRS) Unit at Camp Taji.
PFC Tapusini, although hails from Faga’alu, American Samoa, she was raised in Leauva’a, Upolu and Manase, Savaii. She is the proud daughter of Lalolama and Lemana Tapusini. Tapusini is a Human Resource Specialist within the Headquarters Company of the 12th CAB based at Camp Taji.
SGT Laban-Ilalio also received her certificate of citizenship. SGT Ilalio is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) 202d Bridgade Support Battalion (BSB) 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division out of Ft Lewis, Washington. She hails from Lauli’i, American Samoa. Ilalio is the proud daughter of Alosio Aukuso Laban of Portsmouth, Virginia and Taufusi, Samoa and the late Loretta Laban of Falealupo, Savaii and Lauli’i American Samoa. She is married to Savelio Ilalio (Amouli) and they have a one year old son, Alosio Lucsa Ilalio.
Chaplain (MAJ) Vaioa Leau, of the Multi-National Corps – Iraq (MNC-I) Regimental Support Squadron (RSS)/ 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment (SCR) Headquarters and Headquarters Troops (HHT), Camp Stryker attended this momentous occasion to support the Samoan service members in this notable feat.
Leau was born in the village of Solosolo, Samoa but grew up in the village of Pago Pago, American Samoa. After graduating from Samoana High School and American Samoa Community College, Leau continued his educational studies obtaining a Masters in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. Chaplain (MAJ) Leau is an ordained Southern Baptist Minister. He is married to the former Lana Sanders of Roanoke, Virgina, and they have a beautiful 7 year-old daughter named Leulua'itama'itai.
After meeting with these soldiers and posing for pictures, Chaplain (MAJ) Leau shared his closing thoughts:
I am very proud of all the Samoan men and women who are serving in the military and their extraordinary contribution to our nation’s defense. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and sincere thanks to the people of American Samoa and Samoa for their prayers and thoughts for Samoan Soldiers. Let us continue to praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy on all of us. "Faamalo le Tapuai.”
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