Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that he has received official notification from the Department of the U.S. Army at the Pentagon on the death of Staff Sergeant Salamo J. Tuialu’ulu’u in Iraq.  The twenty-three year old Staff Sergeant was assigned to A Company, 3^rd Battalion, 21^st Infantry Regiment, 25^th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

According to the U.S. Army, SSG Tuialu’ulu’u died on December 4, 2004, in Mosul, Iraq when his convoy was ambushed by enemy forces.  His remains are in Dover, Delaware for preparation for transport to American Samoa.

SSG Salamo Tuialu’ulu’u is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vaimili Tuialu’ulu’u and Ululima T. Tuialu’ulu’u of Ta’u, Manu’a.   He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Andrea Tuialu’ulu’u who is expecting another child, and two daughters, Sunema (6 years) and Eseta (8 months).  He is also survived by four sisters named Falesoa, Uluiva, Mulioaiga, and Fuata’i.  He also has a brother, Saoluaga Tuialu’ulu’u, who is deceased.  His sister, Ms. Falesoa Tuialu’ulu’u, is a Sergeant in the U.S. Army with five years of service.  She is currently stationed in Washington, DC and is assigned to the joint Armed Forces Presidential Inaugural Committee that is part of the Presidential Inauguration to be held on January 20, 2005.

 “Today is a very sad day for the Tuialu’ulu’u family and the rest of American Samoa,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “This is the most difficult moment for any parent when a son or daughter is killed in war.  I pray and hope that the Tuialu’ulu’u family will find comfort in their hearts and minds knowing that their beloved son gave the ultimate sacrifice to bring about peace and freedom around the world.  I especially want to extend my sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the Tuialu’ulu’u family, friends, and all of American Samoa who have suffered this tragic loss.” 

“As a Vietnam veteran, I have seen the ugly and sad side of war.  It is the reality that we must face as more and more of our Samoan sons and daughters are being deployed to Iraq and other warring parts of the world in this war against terrorism.”

“I have requested the Department of the Army and the Pentagon to coordinate with my office for the final transport of Staff Sergeant Salamo Tuialu’ulu’u’s remains to American Samoa.  I will announce the details of these arrangements as soon as they are finalized.”

“O le lagona masani a le tatou atunu’u i taimi faapenei, e leai so tatou loto e fai aua o le Atua ma lona finagalo o le ti’a e le seua, o le mua fo’i e le fuatia, e fa’i le pula fa’i fo’i le moto.  Tau ina ia alofa le Atua ma fa’amaise lona agaga i loto o le faletua ma le fanau, matua ma aiga, o uo fo’i ma e masani ua maua i le loto fa’avauvau ona lenei fa’alavelave matuia,” Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.