Lupi Tupou

Share your military spouse story:
My name is Lupi Tupou, and my husband is Aloha Tupou. We have 5 beautiful children, and this year will be our 15th year anniversary which also marks my 15 years of serving faithfully in the Family Readiness Program despite having to move often. Aloha has been serving in the Marine Corps for almost 19 years and that alone is a success. We have survived 5 deployments and 6 military pcs. Despite the challenges we face we embraced them all. Why? We have utilized every service, resource and tools that are available for the military communities. This strengthened our marriage, our relationship with our children and our relationship with others. We feel blessed with our time in the military to also travel to places and learn of their history, their culture and enjoy what life has to offer. Our family motto is simple, with God everything is possible.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
From 2013-2016- MCRD San Diego I served as one of India Company’s Family Readiness Assistant . Not long I advanced to Battalion level and served as one of 3rd Battalion Advisor. Towards the end of my husband’s tour at MCRD San Diego, I advanced to the Regiment level as the Regimental Advisor.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
This year marks 15 years of my full engagement with the Family Readiness Program all year long and in every duty station we have ever lived in. That alone speaks volume. In addition to it, I served with our local church. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, so we serve the community in great capacity. We received a lot of military families and I get to advocate for them with services that might need. I have assisted with cares for small children (Primary President), for the youth (Young Women President), our adult women (Relief Society President) and teaching core principles of our faith (Gospel Principle Instructor) and other roles in music or early seminary services.

Describe how you support your community:
Realizing that Military Lifestyle is hard, I have shown support at many different levels. Whether it’s serving in a leadership role directly on family readiness program, attending Units, Company, Battalion or Depot events, making donations and attending spouse club events or lend my ear to any military spouse that need to vent. In addition, I believe in personal development, so I seek leadership training opportunities, attending conferences, seminars and webinars that will enhance my leadership skills and improve mental and emotional wellness, so I returned to serve and give my best self. Moreover, I have participated in military spouse sports whether its kickball, flag football and volleyball.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for our overall wellness. It summed up in 3 S’s. Semper Fidelis, Semper Gumby and Sember Fit. Semper Fidelis symbolizes the need to connect to God. Semper Fidelis the core value of the Marine Corps- Faithful. Faith is an attribute of God which signifies the importance of spiritual wellness. To know that with God all is possible and our trials can be overcome and supported as He promised. Semper Gumby. This calls for our community to be flexible and understanding. After all everyone wants the same thing, to be heard, to be loved and to accomplish their dreams. As active duty magnifies his or her roles at home, spouses are feeling supported, and children are feeling loved and vice versa. I believe that strong marriage creates a strong family and makes a strong nation. Semper Fit- Are we family Readiness Ready?

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
Regardless of which base we are stationed at, I advocate through military command meetings, local community engagements, political arena and through my own social media.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I want to be a spokesperson for the military families and work with military leaders, elected officials to inform Congress and American public on the importance of having a strong Military Family Readiness Program. I will advocate to increase military fundings which will specifically for the military families for better services in health care, military housing, education and enhance the overall quality of life.