FORT JACKSON, S.C. Aca,!" When Pvt. Bronze Pele left home for Basic Combat Training, he had 11 brothers and sisters.
When he graduates tomorrow, he will have approximately 60 more.
Pele, who stands over 6 feet, strikes an imposing figure. As he stood in front of his platoon earlier this week, a determined look on his face gave the intimidating Soldier the aura of a leader.
But for the soft-spoken Soldier with Company B, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, being chosen as a leader is nothing new for him.
Aca,!A"Ever since we were young, I was like the strong person,Aca,!A? Pele said, referring to his four sisters, three brothers and four adopted siblings.
When tragedy struck, that strength helped Pele shoulder the task of becoming a father figure to his siblings.
Aca,!A"Both my parents passed away, and I was the one taking care of my brothers and sisters,Aca,!A? he said.
PeleAca,!a,,cs mother died of cancer in 1999, and in 2005, his father also succumbed to the disease.
For the 29-year-old American Samoa native Aca,!" who is now married with a daughter Aca,!" stepping into the role was easy.
Aca,!A"To me, it wasnAca,!a,,ct really a big thing,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"I already knew what to do.Aca,!A?
His battle buddy, Pvt. Darrian Pack, said although PeleAca,!a,,cs role is expected in his culture, his family leadership has helped him as Soldier.
Aca,!A"What heAca,!a,,cs going through, for the most part, is his way of life,Aca,!A? said Pack. Aca,!A"He made the trip over here, heAca,!a,,cs doing what heAca,!a,,cs got to do. HeAca,!a,,cs been in charge of our bay, heAca,!a,,cs been in charge of our platoon.Aca,!A?
The discipline Pele learned as a child made joining the Army a natural fit. For many years, he lived with a priest who had taken him under his wing. And though joining the priesthood seemed to be in his future, his life took a different path.
Aca,!A"I got Aca,!EoecalledAca,!a,,c by God to be a father and to look after my sisters and brothers,Aca,!A? he said.
Joining the Army provided him an opportunity to provide for his family, as well as to complete his education. Pele was pursuing a degree in civil engineering in New Zealand when his father died.
Aca,!A"I didnAca,!a,,ct get a degree in civil engineering, so I really want to reach my goal,Aca,!A? he said.
Though short on words Aca,!"Aca,!" he is most comfortable speaking his native tongue Aca,!"Aca,!" he is big on action.
Aca,!A"IAca,!a,,cm the kind of person who works hard,Aca,!A? he said. Being a man of action makes him a better leader.
Aca,!A"I make sure IAca,!a,,cm doing the job because they wonAca,!a,,ct work unless they see me work,Aca,!A? he said, referring to the other Soldiers in his bay.
Although it is obvious Pele is hesitant to talk about himself, his words flow freely when he can answer a question in Samoan.
Aca,!A"O AAca,!a,,cu o Bronze Pele out e sau mai le motu o Tutuila Amerika Samoa. O loo lai nei I Fort Jackson e tautua I le ami fee leoleo malosi o le lalalagi, o le ami a Amerika.Aca,!A?
Roughly translated, it means, Aca,!A"My name is Bronze Pele, and I am from the island of American Samoa. And the reason I am at Fort Jackson is to serve the strongest Army in the world, which is the Army of the United States.Aca,!A?
No matter how he says it, it is clear that not only will Pele serve in this Army, he will lead in it.
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