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ROKSA
Bids Farewell to Easter Vaueli Asi Bruce |
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Written by Tauapai Laupola |
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The Republic of Korea Samoa
Association (ROKSA) gathered Saturday, January 13, 2007, to bid
farewell to its very own Secretary, Ms. Easter Vaueli Asi Bruce.
Easter, as she is known in the community, has been an influential
person in the establishment of ROKSA. Her conviction, belief and
dedication to ROKSA were a result of her first-hand account in late
2003, with the death of her grandmother, Miriama Leituomanu
Tagovailoa, of Vatia, American Samoa.
According to Easter, since her grandmother’s passing, her focus has
been solely to serve Samoa and her people...ROKSA has been that
venue that enables her to satisfy her renewed passion and fervor for
the Samoan culture by providing a “home away from home” for Samoan
service members stationed in Korea.
Easter Asi Vaueli Bruce hails from the villages of Vatia and
Taputimu, American Samoa. Her parents are Asi Vaueli Sia’asu and
Seiafi Tagovailoa Asi; Easter served as the division chief for Intel
& IT Requirements & Projects for the United States Forces Korea, J2
directorate.
She is married to CSM (Ret) Thomas M. Bruce and they have two
children: daughter, Jiovanna 21 and son, Dylan 19. Jiovanna is in
her third year at Central Missouri State University (CMSU) and her
brother Dylan resides with their father in Korea and takes classes
at the University of Maryland, Asian Division, Yongsan Army
Garrison.
Since ROKSA was established in October 2004, Easter co-chaired the
first fundraising committee along with Anita Nua and again with SSG
Flo Amosa for the 2006-2007. She was elected as the secretary from
2005-2007. Easter has touched every aspect of the association since
its inception. She has been instrumental in the writing of the
constitution and the by-laws that officially chartered ROKSA as a
non-profit organization in Area II, Yongsan Army Garrison, in
October of 2004.
She has been either the lead-planner or played a major role in
ROKSA’s participation at the “Asian Pacific Month and Aganu’u Samoa
celebrations, graduation parties, hosting of Samoan VIPs, holiday
celebrations, Easter and Thanksgiving services and promoting ROKSA
within the |
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community. Perhaps her
legacy with ROKSA is the creation of the ROKSA website (www.roksa.info)
as well as her ability to publicize ROKSA activities in order to
promote ROKSA’s mission; to provide a home away from home for all
Samoan’s on the peninsula in the spirit of love and respect.
ROKSA President, Tauapai Laupola, SSG Flo Amosa and SSG Talalelei
Fautanu on behalf of ROKSA presented Easter with a wood-burning
plaque and an embroidery plaque of the ROKSA logo, a crystal with
the inscription of the ROKSA logo and a silver plate with the
imprint of the colorful ROKSA logo.
After the presentation of awards, the audience was given the
opportunity to share their thoughts with Ms Easter. SSG Talalelei
Fautanu seized the moment to thank Easter for her contributions and
encouraged ROKSA to keep the faith and look at change as a positive
attribute; SSG Flo Amosa expressed her sincere appreciation for
Easter’s vision; SPC Aiumu, Punefu commented that during his first
ROKSA event, Easter greeted and made him feel at home; PFC Sua
thanked Easter for her constant advise; Georgina Laupola thanked
aunty Easter for her endless love and support to her and her
sisters; SSG Taetuli and SSG Fruean eloquently expressed their
heartfelt appreciation for everything Easter has done in the name of
ROKSA; SFC Amosa, Leafe concluded by wishing Easter’s God speed and
reminded her that God has a plan for her.
Easter was given the opportunity to address the gathering for the
very last time. It was a bitter-sweet farewell as she thanked ROKSA
for providing her the opportunity to serve Samoans on the peninsula.
According to Easter, the experienced she gained supporting ROKSA
will be used to catapult her move to her new job in Hawaii as she
makes her way home to Samoa in the near future.
ROKSA has made history and you are an integral part of that history,
commented Easter. Based on the positive feedback from ROKSA members
and Samoans all over the world, ROKSA is doing the right thing in
supporting Samoans on the peninsula. Easter’s reiterated that ROKSA
has set the standards in providing a home away from home for Samoans
on the peninsula in the spirit of love and respect.
Let us continue to ride that wave of success. According to Easter,
“I will always cherish the experiences and will keep ROKSA close to
my heart…a ROKSA member for life”. Easter Vaueli Asi Bruce departed
for Hawaii January 14, 2007.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd. 2005
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