The Veteran: A Life of Service, Faith and Gratitude
Being a devout christian while serving in the military comes with unique challenges. But it also presents faithful disciples with many opportunities. Sauaki Kioa, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Hurst area, served in the U.S. Armed Forces for eight years.
By Lui Sanft with Sauki Kioa
Sauaki Kioa 2023. Image courtesy of Brandy Nunes.
Sauaki Kioa’s family emigrated to the United States from Tonga in 1974. At that time they resided in Reno, Nevada. The young Kioa quickly fell in love with American football. When he graduated from high school, West Point Military Academy offered him a football scholarship. His football scholarship was nullified when he chose to serve a two-year mission for the Church instead. Right after his church mission in 1983, Kioa joined the Army. At that time, he completed basic training at Fort Knox Kentucky.
He shared what it was like to be a member of the Church while serving in the military.
Q: How were you impacted by the gospel during your military service?
A: Two years of living and keeping missionary rules prepared me to serve in the military. I have no doubt that serving a mission was the right choice for me. It strengthened my testimony of the gospel and my trust of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Q: Tell me a little about your life before your military service and your first couple of years in the military.
A: I emigrated from Tonga to the United States at a very young age. It was a challenge to me, a new environment, different culture, learning a new language and many other challenges. For me, the military was a career opportunity. Even though I missed my football scholarship due to serving a two-year mission for the Church, I joined the service right after my mission.
I was a Quartermaster attached to two Engineering units and two Aviation units. One of the Aviation units was an Air Evacuation Medical unit in San Antonio that had to be certified in CPR every four months. I was assigned to these units to mainly work with them in the field. I served with one of the combat engineering units during Desert Storm. My job was to provide security, map out routes and work as demolition when we found enemy weapons and equipment. Basically, I was trained in one area but also cross trained in seven or eight different areas.
Q: What are things have stood out to you as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ serving in the Armed Forces?
A: The members were easily identified when they lived according to the church standards. We stood out because of the type of language we used (no swearing or vulgarities), we kept the Word of Wisdom (no alcohol or smoking) and we kept other standards of living.
I was always the designated driver when I went out with my buddies. When my friends visited my apartment, they respected my choice to keep the Word of Wisdom. One evening a new guy in our base walked into my apartment on the second floor with a lit cigarette. Two of my buddies, both of them not members of the church, dragged the new guy out and threw him down from the balcony!
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ on all the bases were like one family. We helped each other. Married couples watched over us single service members like their own sons or daughters.
Q: Did you stand out or were you pinpointed among your peers for being a member of the Church?
A: In a good way. My superiors knew about the Church and I felt like their expectations of the members were based on the church standard of living.
I was always excluded when my buddies and I were in trouble from a weekend party due to some of them being drunk. On a Monday morning flag ceremony or roll call, those who were in trouble, like guys who got in a fight, were called to step forward. Together with my “trouble buddies,” I stepped forward but my name was called to step back.
Q: Did you have any scary or “close calls” during your career or service? If so, how do you feel inspiration from the Lord helped you in those circumstances?
A: During the “Desert Storm” Iraqi war, we were only moved at night through the desert with no lights. We had to follow the tire tracks of the vehicle in front, fearing that mines could be on the road. I was the driver of our Humvee. My Sargent, who was sitting next to me said that if something happens (like if I run over a mine) “ you are protected but not us.” I took that to mean that I’m protected because of my faith.
I served together with my bishop (pastor) in the Iraq War Desert Storm. On Sundays the two of us would do the sacrament in a tent. We knelt and blessed the sacrament with our guns on our backs. Partaking of the sacrament during this challenging time gave us confidence and we felt safe.
Telolini and Sauaki Kioa at their wedding celebration. Image courtesy of the Kioas.
Q: How did your military experience affect your testimony of the gospel then, and today?
A: My testimony of the gospel was strengthened during my time in the military. Toward the last few years of my service, I got married. My wife was another great strength for me. Throughout my whole time in the service I stayed active in my church responsibilities. I remember my very first church responsibility while in the service was to teach in Primary (Sunday school classes for children.) In all the places I served in the Army, members of my faith stayed close together, supporting each other.
Sauaki Kioa has served members of his congregation and community in many different capacities over the years. He currently teaches a Gospel Doctrine class in English and Tongan twice a month. He and his wife, Telolini Kioa currently reside in the Euless, Texas area.
Lui Sanft is an inspector for the City of Fort Worth at Forestry Section. During his free time he enjoys exercising and walking along trails with his wife, loves to read and spend time with his family.