“I know that this has been a very sad moment for the parents of this soldier and I want to make sure that Mr. Letufuga and his wife Siniva know that we all share their sorrow,” said Faleomavaega.  “As the first son of Samoa to die in action in this conflict in Iraq, I want the family to know that Specialist Letufuga’s passing is one of honor and tremendous respect from our Samoan people and our nation for him making the ultimate sacrifice – that is of giving his life in defense of our country.”

         “When I learned that Specialist Letufuga had died while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, I immediately requested to the U.S. Army that Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua Savusa be authorized to travel with me to escort Letufuga’s body to American Samoa.  Iuni Savusa was a brigade command sergeant major in the same division in which Letufuga served in Iraq.  I was very pleased with the prompt and affirmative response to my request by Brigadier General Jason Kamiya who is Commander of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk in Louisiana where Savusa is Post Command Sergeant Major.”

         “I have been in communication with the U.S. Army at the Pentagon regarding the transport of Specialist Letufuga’s body to American Samoa.  Letufuga’s body has been in Dover, Delaware and will be transported to Honolulu where Iuni Savusa and I will then join up with the rest of the Army escort to bring the body to American Samoa this Thursday evening,” concluded Faleomavaega.