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ROKSA
CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING & WHITE SUNDAY |
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By Easter Asi Bruce |
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“Giving thanks” albeit
served as a common theme to many Thanksgiving services, ROKSA was no
different. Members and invited guests gathered at the South Post
Memorial Chapel at Yongsan Army Garrison on 25 November 2006,
Saturday afternoon for a Thanksgiving service followed by a Sunday
To’ana’i meal. White Sunday, although traditionally celebrated in
October, was moved to occur during this time.
ROKSA’s religious activity leaders charged with providing services
of this nature are Leafe and Flo Amosa. Prior to the sermon, Flo
Amosa randomly called on individuals in the audience to stand and
briefly share what they are thankful for. Of those called upon, PFC
Fanaafi Sua and SSG Taetuli Vaitogi, were thankful for their
families and the many, many bestowed blessings.
The message delivered to the congregation by Leafe focused on how
the five senses are receptive to both godly and un-godly
information. The individual must decipher and act immediately on
what information is of God and what is not of God before accepting
and processing the information. The conclusion of Leafe’s message
segued into the Lotu Tamaiti portion of the Thanksgiving program.
This year’s main agenda was Lotu Tamaiti of which participation from
all the areas on peninsula were included. Each area was given an
opportunity to perform a song and/or skit in keeping with the White
Sunday activities. An opportunity was also provided for families to
do the same.
For the sake of the audience, Ms Easter Bruce gave a synopsis of
what White Sunday is all about as she reminisced back to her
“lotu-tamaiti” days. Although born in Samoa, Easter was raised
off-island. According to her, there was no difference to the
external environment because in the home, it was all Samoan to
include church. Easter credits her mother, Seiafi Tagovailoa Asi,
and her children for the person she is today.
Area I, led by SSG Talalelei Fautanu, performed a skit of a mother (PFC
Leuma, Leucaena) that was consumed by greed for money in which her
cripple son (SSG Taetuli, Vaitogi) gave up his life to fulfill the
wish of her mother.
Area III covers the Osan and Camp Humphreys area were represented by
1LT |
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ROKSA Thanks Giving service at Yongsan Army Garrison, Repulic of
Korea.
(Photos: ROSKA) |
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Area 2 during its performance of the Potters hand.
(Photos: ROSKA) |
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SPC Muasau, PFC Leuma, SSG Annie and SSG Fautanu during Area 1
performance.
(Photos: ROSKA) |
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Aja Tuiasosopo, SPC
Lanilua Pine, SPC Anolilo Sega, and PFC Siupolu Au performed a song
“Carry Your Candle” and a rendition of “Ave lou Ola ia Aoga.” ROKSA
is delighted to have the musical talents of Aja and Anolilo both in
vocals and piano.
PFC Tuono Pule crooned a personal favorite gospel tune. He is
ROKSA’s sole representative from Area IV, Daegu.
The Laupola girls, Anna Theresa, Georgina, Athenia and Lindsey
recited the Beattitudes from the book of Matthew both in the Samoan
and English language. They concluded with a melodious Samoan hymn
titled, “Ave Lou Ola Ia Aoga” as their father, Tauapai Laupola,
joined in to sing along.
The Amosa children, Leata and Lincoln joined by Anna Brundage
recited the 23rd Psalm, The Lord is my Shepherd and the most widely
printed verse, John 3:16. The young performers concluded their
recital with a witty tune wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Anna Brundage is the adopted daughter of COL & Mrs. James Brundage;
Anna was adopted from Upolu, Samoa as a baby. According to the
Brundage’s, “it was important for us to attend today’s service and
to begin exposing Anna to her Samoan heritage.”
Area II, led by Leafe and Flo Amosa, provided a couple of musical
performances “Giving my Best” and “The Potter’s Hands” involving
communicating words of the song through hand motions. Additionally,
they performed a skit reminiscent of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from
the book of Matthew 5:1-12. The performers included PFC Tuono Pule,
SPC Poasa Masaniai Jr (PJ), 1LT Aja Tuiasosopo, SPC Anolilo Sega,
PFC Faanafi Sua and the Laupola girls.
Once the closing prayer ended the service, members and invited
guests quickly posed for a group photo prior to setting the dinner
tables. The buffet line of food seemed endless but included favorite
traditional Samoan foods such as sua i’a, pisupo & cabbage, sapasui
and faalifu fa’i just to name a few. Immediately after blessing the
food, hungry guests lined up and began partaking of the Thanksgiving
To’ana’i ROKSA has so proudly hosted once again.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd. 2005
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