Stryker Brigade News

Emily, I am sorry for your loss. Know that you and your family are in our families thought and prayers. We too have recently suffered a loss (Sgt Nathaniel T. Swindell who will be buried tomorrow). May the good Lord give you the strength to get through this difficult period.
Mark Swindell

Emily, we've never met, but know that Nainoa and your family are in my prayers. I was friends with Nainoa through Highschool at Kamehameha (in Na Koa) and through College ROTC. He will be missed!
Lee-Jake

Thank you so much for sharing the pictures, what a handsome brave soldier. My thoughts are with you and the family and may God give you strength for the days ahead.

Toni

My boyfriend is with 3/21 and my prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. Nainoa will be missed by many I'm sure.

Lindsey

Dearest Emily,

We've never met, I'm Ray's girlfriend, Kellie and Nainoa's friend from the University of Hawaii. I am so sorry about Nainoa. I still can't believe it. He was such a great guy! He's been like a brother to Ray. I used to call Nainoa, Ray's other half since they were always together in Hawaii. Always working out, training, or having a few beers at Magoo's together (A bar and grill near UH).

I would hear stories about you when he first met you and I'm so happy he found you! He deserved a great girl like you!! You really made his life happy!!

I can't say enough how sorry and sad I am to hear about Nainoa. Please know he was loved by so many and will be missed dearly. If you need anything please let me know.
I hope to meet you one day and all my thoughts and prayers to you and the family.

Love, Kellie Mikami (Aiea, Hawaii)

Emily, we never met, I was Nainoa JROTC teacher and his adviser in the Na Koa Club, My wife and I are in great pain over your lost, our lost, and our prayers are with you and your family. Nainoa was strenght and I know that he past some of that strenght to you, it was his style. I know you are stronger as we are because of him. The Lord always take the great men early and Nainoa is no expception. He was a great man. I am a better man because of Nainoa. God be with you. 1SG Holskil

Emily and Mr. and Mrs. Hoe,

I went through IOBC and airborne school with Nainoa - we were in the same squad in IOBC, so spent quite a bit of time together. I'm also stationed out of Ft. Lewis, and here in Mosul with him. He was truly a great guy, and will be missed terribly. I Please know that although I do not know you, you are in my prayers and thoughts. May God be with you through these difficult times.

Sincerely,
LT Sean Keneally

Just as an update - the memorial time has changed to 1100, not 1400. Still at the Evergreen Chapel on Wednesday.

Dear Emily,
I just want you to know how sorry I am for your loss. I went to school with Nainoa at Kamehameha (c/o '94). I must say that I did not know him well but I certainly remember seeing him and his smile on campus every day. I am also a fellow Stryker wife, my husband is now in Iraq with 2-14 CAV and we spent our first 2 years at Lewis with the Gimlets. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you and your family in this difficult time. I will be praying for God's peace to be yours as you mourn the loss of this great young man. Sincerely, Sarah (Tam) Oh

Dear Emily, Mr. and Mrs. Hoe,
My husband, Raub Nash was in IOBC with Nainoa and is also in 1-25 at Mosul right now. My heart pours out you and you are in my prayers.

Hi Emily,

I've known Nainoa since he was a baby, and through the years his mom and I have remained coworkers and the best of friends.

I've seen Nainoa and his brother Nakoa grow up to be smart, proud and kind young men, who bring nothing but joy to their parents, family, and friends, and to those of us who have been privileged enough to be considered "family."

To know that Nainoa, who was so young, so good, and who was such a light to those around him is gone is so painful to us...and I cannot begin to imagine how you and his family must feel.

I can only hope that you and Nainoa's family can take comfort from the words of so many who have known and loved him.

They say there is always a ripple effect at work in the universe, and that one act of kindness touches many. If that is true, then Nainoa will be with us always, and the ripples of his life will never end.

My prayer is that God will bring you all comfort and blessings as you all go through this heartbreaking time of loss.

With much love,

Aunty Helene

Thank you so much for sharing your pictures with all of us, I can only imagine how hard this is for you. I wish there was something that I could say to ease your pain at this time but I know that there is nothing to say now. I hope you can feel all the love and prayers that are coming your way at this time.

Aloha,
I knew Nainoa through Nakoa and through the JROTC program at the Kamehameha Schools (c/o '04). He was one of the best men I have ever known. He taught us all more than just rappeling techniques and first aid, he showed us what it meant to be a Hawaiian and a leader. He took care of the cadets under his charge at UH, I remember he asked Nakoa and a few of us to assist him in training some of his subordinates who were struggling with some patrolling techniques. He went out of his way to make sure that his charges knew what they needed to know, not only to help them pass their classes, but also to help keep them alive in the event that thye would ever have to use this knowledge on the battlefield. Nainoa cared for his men. He always lead by example and made a difference in so many lives. When I first heard of his passing, I spent the night crying, for the world had lost a great man, a man with so much potential. Nakoa is my brother and so is Nainoa. Our brotherhood was forged through pain, experiences and through our 'oiwi bloodlines. He will be missed dearly. I hope to meet you at the funeral ceremonies on O'ahu. Aloha no, malama pono a me a hui hou.

I am so sorry for what has happened to your husband. May GOD be with you and your family.

Emily,

My husband and I are from Hawaii. He is stationed here at Ft. Lewis. We read about your loss this morning in the News tribune. Although we did not know your husband, the article in the paper touched our hearts. We are sorry for your loss and may God be with you and your families. E malama pono.

Scanlan 'Ohana

Emily, I am so sorry that I cannot attend the memorial service in person. However, I WILL light a candle in memory and to honor your husband. You have my deepest sympathy and I continue to pray for you.....

Dear Emily, we have never met. I knew Nainoa through the Na Koa club when he would come and train us(c/o 02). I will always remember how he motivated us to do our best for the team, club, and our schoo, Kamehameha. The way he led us and I'm sure the way he led his platoon it was in such a way that we/they would want to follow him. His leadership, confidence, and skill will always be remembered, for he is truly a great soldier, and person. Since I found out on sunday, i have been praying constantly for you and his family as well as the soldiers still there. I hope to meet you at the funeral services. Take care and God bless!!

Emily,
I grew up with Nainoa in Kailua and attended Kamehameha with him since the 7th grade (c/o '95). We were both in the JROTC program at Kamehameha. I remember his devotion to the military, academics, and overall personal character. The memory that really sticks out in my mind is of him laughing at my jokes in class.

The last time I ran into him was before a movie in Hawaii and we spoke briefly about our careers and lives after Kamehameha. I remember how happy and proud he was of his career as a soldier. That was the last time I saw him.

My deepest condolences to you and your family. He is a hero to all of us that knew him in life. He was truly one-in-a-million.
E malama pono.
Keanu Kuna

Dear Emily,

My family's heartfelt condolences on the loss of your husband Nainoa. My nephew is a member of his platoon. In a recent email to his Mom Chris recounted that terrible day. Here is part of his message home: after he was hit our platoon did everything in its power to try and save him.. The amount of fire power given back by our platoon was more than any other unit has given since the battle in Mossul. So says our
commander. The way we handled the situation was better than he has ever seen before. Our PL (platoon leader)was the best we have ever had and the best we will ever have... he treated us how we should have been treated... like men and soldiers and most importantly.. like brothers...
his death has hit everone very hard in the platoon and everyone that knew him. When we took him to the cash(combat hospital) everyone was
allowed their final goodbyes. Needless to say, there were many tears that fell and many prayers said. All of us know that he is in a better place.. but all of us still want him back.

Please know that your husband was loved and respected by all that knew and served with him.

With sorrow,

Gary Naganuma

Dear Emily,

I haven't had the honor of meeting you, but I have had the honor of knowing your husband. Nainoa and I both came from the same JROTC program at Kamehameha, and soon I will graduate from the UHAROTC, like he did. I will never forget Nainoa and the absolutely amazing person and inspiring soldier he was. The last time I saw Nainoa, I was at Airborne school at Ft. Benning and he was there, completing IOBC. I was sitting at a bus stop, and he came running by. After a hug and smile, he went and bought me lunch, made sure I had everything I needed. Wouldn't leave me until he was sure I was ok and back at the barracks. That was the kind of person Nainoa was - he had a big heart. He took care of people, and I know he was the finest kind of officer there is - one who looks after his soldiers before his own welfare. Please accept my love and condolences, Emily. My heart breaks with what's happened, and know that I am praying every day for you and Nakoa, Nainoa's parents, and everyone whos life Nainoa has touched.

Me ke aloha,
Kiera (Chu) Zimmerman

Aloha Emily,
I am a co-worker of Nainoa's mom and I remember when she was "hapai" with him. I had seen him off and on as he grew up and admired what he had become. His mom was very proud of him. I saw your wedding pictures, how happy and proud he looked!It is so very hard to fathom seeing him growing before my very eyes than have him be taken away at such a young age. I just want to send you my heartfelt condolences. I pray that the Lord will blanket you with love and comfort as you and Nainoa's family go down this difficult road.
Malama Pono,
Aunty Pauline

Emily,

I've known Adele for many years, I worked at Castle with her. I can only imagine what a wonderful man your husband was, the stories are wonderful. I hope they will give you comfort in this sad time. My prayers are for you and your family. May God Bless you all and watch over the rest of our friends over seas.

With aloha,
Kat

Emily, I do not know you or your husband personally, but you are in my prayers. My heart breaks with yours. I have a son in the stryker brigade serving in Iraq. May your husband's memories live on forever in your life. Just look to God, and He will see you through. May God Bless You now and always.

Adele & family,

When we visited in your office several days ago you spoke with such pride of your two sons, and of the concern you had for their safety.

While we hoped this day would never come - it did, and Lisa and I are so sorry for you all.

As you morn the loss of Nainoa, may you find comfort in knowing that your friends across the nation are praying for you and wanting to surround you with the spirit of Aloha in your time of grief.

Emily,
My deepest sympathy for your loss. My husband Joe, and I both had the honor and pleasure of working with Nainoa while in the UHAROTC program. I was one of his successors as Command Sergeant Major and Battalion Commander at UH, and never in my life have I ever had to fill such large shoes, nor do I think I ever will again. He made a large impact on many people's lives. He was definitely a role model for me. There will never be a finer soldier. I am sure he is up there right now with his friend and predecessor, LT Jeremy Wolfe, joking and sharing stories.
Our thoughts are with you.
LT's Melissa and Joseph Pyun

Emily and family, Our son is in Lt Hoe's platoon and called us with the very sad news. Lt Hoe was their leader and they are very distraught about what happened to him. He will be missed and remembered with affection by all of them. God bless you all. Sincerely, Mary

Ooh.. nothing is ever written in stone with the military...

Memorial services have been changed to 1:30 pm now, Main Chapel at Fort Lewis, Wednesday. Sorry for the time change yet again.

Mrs. Emily Hoe,

I had the pleasure of becoming friends with Nainoa when he was a SPC in US Forces Korea Support Unit. We became a team after the first Soldier and NCO of the Year Board. We traveled to Washington, DC together for the OCAR competition. I was in absolute awe of your husband. He was a natural leader. His intelligence, confidence, and enthusiasm were contagious. He had such a passion for life, and he loved being a soldier. He had an amazing presence, very solid and secure. I learned a great deal from your husband. He made me want to learn more and to do more to improve as a soldier. I loved to laugh with him. He was so genuine. He was a soldier of a higher standard. He was kind and caring and an absolute professional. I had the highest respect for him, and I am deeply saddened by your loss. In fact, my heart is broken. I have seen the pictures of the two of you on your wedding day and you’re both glowing with happiness. I find comfort in these photos in seeing that the two of you had found so much happiness, and that Nainoa had found the love of his life. Thank you for sharing them. He used to tease that I was not allowed to say, “Go for broke”, which was a motto he was very proud of. He lived his life in the spirit of that motto, and the spirit of Aloha.
My deepest sympathies, SFC Jody Wilson.

Emily, my prayers and thoughts are with you. Heaven has received another one of our HERO's as an angel soldier. Peace and comfort to you and your family.

Aloha Emily,

I want to send my Aloha to you and Nainoa's family. I knew Nainoa when I attended Kamehameha (c/o'96). I was also in the JROTC program with him and also in the Nakoa club. He was a really a great man and taught me a lot. I looked up to him as a mentor when I was there. He knew me as Piko.

May God Bless you and your Ohana

me ke Aloha,

Marc "Piko" Naval

Emily, I never had the privaledge of meeting you but I was in the UHROTC program with Nainoa. We got commissioned together. My prayers are with you and your family. Nainoa was one of a kind and will be truely missed. You now have a wonderful gaurdian angel. I know that Jeremy and him are taking charge up there and probably entertaining as well. God Bless

Emily
Although you don't know me, my son is in Mosul and served with your husband. He emailed us last night about your husband and told us what an awesome man and leader your husband was. Be strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Aloha Emily & Hoe Ohana

I had the honor and priviledge of serving, teaching and mentoring Nainoa during my tenure as an instructor at the UH ROTC. Nainoa was a soldier who had the skills and leadership that made him destined for greatness. He will surely be missed and never forgotten for the impression he left with all that he touched. My deeepest sympathy, prayers and aloha goes to your ohana from mine.

ALOHA

Jeff Protacio

Emily-
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your husband is nothing less than a hero and patriot to his country. Know that complete strangers mourn your loss with you and he will be remembered as I lay my head to sleep every night.
God Bless!

My son serves in I-24 A Co. and is also in Mosul. I can't imagine your pain right now..God Bless you and make you strong. My sincere condolences to you and his mother and father..I'm sure he will be dearly missed. Our prayers will be with you and your/his family. God keep you ..

Dear Emily,
I have not seen Nainoa for twenty years, yet this news was as piercing as if it were just twenty minutes...and I am so sorry.
Through family and friends over the years I have learned of many of Nainoa's escapades and accomplishments...smiling with quiet pride, but not surprise.
First, because Nainoa was so full of zest for life. He did everything he attempted with the great gusto of one who simply expected to be successful. He was a good student, but knew having fun and developing relationships was more important. It was amusing to watch some of the inventive activities he could get his peers to be a part of, sometimes explaining detailed drawings. Sometimes, he eventried to include me and seed disappointed when I could not get with "the plan". His enjoyment of karaoke reminded me of the time we were preparing for a school play, and Nainoa decided not to participate. When his mother explained that microphones would be involved, he changed his mind. Of course he did a good job and we were all so proud of him.
Second, Nainoa's accomplishments are not a surprise because his parents would have it no other way. It would be difficult to find more nurturing, parents than Allen and Adele. They supported beyond all expectation while making it seem that all parents did what they did. Nothing was unimportant, if it concerned their children. Their grief at this time is unfathomable. Please give them (and Nakoa) my love...and be sure they know how sad we are about this loss.
Together, may you, Adele, Allen and Nakoa be comforted with the memory of the uniqueness of Nainoa... may you know that he was appreciated, and is remembered fondly by many...and that we offer sincere condolences at this time.

Not a day has gone by, since I heard of the death of Nainoa, that I have not thought of him, nor shed a tear. He was an exceptional man, truely gifted with many talents. His comforting and caring persona meant the world to me at one, time and I will never forget him. May there be peace in the hearts of his family and may they know that Nainoa will be with all of the one's that he loved so dearly until the day they may meet again.

I don't know if anyone will even read this, but it seemed appropriate, since I was here tonight to comment that it's been 2 years since Nainoa died. I never got to meet Nainoa...I wish I had, but in many ways I feel like I have gotten to know him these last 2 years. I hope that it helps his family to know that he is not forgotten and still has an impact on the lives of his men even now.

Hi Nainoa I don't know you but one day I'm sure we will meet I'm sure you and Darrell have met & maybe that's what persuaded me to search for your name tonight. Thank you for your service & ultimate sacrafice.