SFC Tuimalealiifano, Sualauvi Malua II and family, taken at the Fayetteville, NC Regional Airport on Friday, 16 November 2009 as they get ready to board their flight destined for Honolulu, Hawaii.
[Courtesy Photo]
Sgt. First Class (SFC) Sualauvi Malua Tuimalealiifano II and his family have been moved to Honolulu, Hawaii following medical care in North Carolina.
SFC Tuimalealiifano is paralyzed from his chest down due to a spinal injury sustained during his combat tour in Afghanistan, August 2007 while he was assigned to the D/96 Civil Affairs and OPCON to 1/3 3rd Special Forces Group.
During his recovery, he re-enlisted on Dec. 8, 2007, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by 1/3 3rd, SFG on Feb. 14, 2008 and promoted to SFC on Jul. 11, 2008.
SFC Tuimalealiifano’s recovery has been slow but steady. He has made tremendous improvement on his mobility considering how he was when he was medivaced out of Afghanistan 17 months ago. He is able to move around on his wheelchair freely.
SFC Tuimalealiifano thanked the Samoans at Ft. Bragg for their continued support throughout this ordeal, from Walter Reed Medical Center, to Tampa, Florida then to Atlanta, Georgia and back to Ft. Bragg, he is humbled by the never ending support up until the day they departed for Hawaii.
SFC Tuimalealiifano is married to Shannon Asuega Fatuesi Tuimalealiifano of Pago Pago, AS. They are blessed with two sons, Sualauvi Moeva and Aumalaga Ativalu, and a daughter, Aolele Mialani.
Lastly, SFC Tuimalealiifano expressed his sincere gratitude to his wife Shannon and his children for their sacrifice and understanding while he is on his last tour of duty.
Contact SFC Tuimalealiifano at sualauvi.tuimalealiifanoiii@us.army.mil. |
Comments to this story (20)
lio fenumiai wrote: |
23 Feb 2010 11:26 PM |
| malo toa malo tau ' god bless n speedy recovery to you n yours |
Hawaii Resident wrote: |
24 Dec 2009 08:36 AM |
| SFC is the man, fighting on behalf of our fellow Americans.
Please follow his story about his quest to renovate his home to become handicapped accessible:
http://walkacrossoahu.com/our_story
http://walkacrossoahu.com/news
It is a wonderful story |
Taisi Steffany-Alo wrote: |
08 Dec 2009 12:10 AM |
| Talofa lava uso. Faamalo lava le onosa'i malo le loto tele iate le oe ae maise si ou aiga. E ui lava o tulaga le ma'alofia i tiute fita' sa fa'afegai ai, ae talitonu lava loto olo’o agalelei pea le Tama ile lagi e foa'i le ola male malosi ia te oe le uso.
Hey uce, I really miss our workout time at Ritz Epps Gym in Fort Bragg before we both headed out for deployment (2007). You are a very good uso to have. You always keep the faith to our good Lord above, his our strength and protector. Best wishes for the speedy recovery. See you, Shannon and kids when I stop by in Hawaii next year. I will continue your hard work you did out here in Afghanistan (I’m assigned with Kapisa Civil Affairs PRT and TF Gladius (FT Bragg). Madlove to you, Shannon and kids MyUso. GOD BLESS, Soifua!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year uso,
Taisi Steffany-Alo
TF Gladius/Kapisa PRT Civil Information Manager.
|
Jermaine Bell wrote: |
02 Oct 2009 02:57 AM |
| Hi, My name is Jermaine Bell. Shannon Fatuesi was my best friend in elementary school when we lived next to Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga. She lived there with her Father Richard, Mother Doris and 2 brothers, Brad and Richard Jr. I am trying to find out if her family in Pago Pago is ok since the tsunami. If someone can forward my email address to her, I would appreciate it. andrejbell@gmail.com |
Sinapao Roberts wrote: |
24 Apr 2009 04:37 AM |
| Bro, it’s been so long since we last spoke, First congrats on all of your accomplishments I’m real proud of you bro. Thank you for your continued service and sacrifice. May good Lord continue to bless you and your family. |
Amia Pisia-Lemau wrote: |
03 Mar 2009 08:11 PM |
| Sua and family, our hearts and prayers are here for you and your loving family. I was out at Kandahar back in 2006, and you were a great role model for us younger Samoans out there and thank you then for your kindness and generosity. My family and I will pray for your recovery and are humbled by your dedication and sacrifice... God Bless. Mia |
MAJ Sonny Thompson wrote: |
05 Feb 2009 07:45 PM |
| Sua, long time now see uso. Glad to hear that your recovery is going well. Hang in there and let me know if there is ever anything that we can do for you and your family. We'll continue to pray for you. I'm proud of you! |
SGT Robin Mailo wrote: |
31 Jan 2009 06:50 AM |
| My brother Malua, Praise be to our Heavenly Father for all his blessings upon us; especially with you and yours. It's been years since I've seen you and I am so proud of all of your accomplishments, but most of all, your sacrifice. I know it hasn't been an easy road for you, but with God, the impossible is made possible. God speed your recovery and may the Lord bless you and your family and keep you in his constant care. Keep the faith, stay strong, and know that we are praying for you always. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you and the family once I return home. Much love and God Bless bro. SGT Mailo-COB Speicher. |
Ima P. wrote: |
30 Jan 2009 03:14 PM |
| SFC T,
Thanks for your outstanding service not only for you but for all our Sisters and Brother serving for our country and freedom. May the good Lord bless and granted you and your family many and more blessings. |
Sgt. Afa, Ioane, Puni wrote: |
30 Jan 2009 07:02 AM |
| SFC Tuimalealiifano,may our good lord always bless you and your family. Thaks for your service. malo lava le alo''' |
Rev.Asora M Panama wrote: |
29 Jan 2009 10:59 AM |
| I and my family pray every single day for all the military personnel and their families. Today as I read this article I was very touch of what had happened to SFC Tuimalealiifano and your family.I don't know if Shannon remember us, but we station with you parents at Germany from 1980-1983 about half an hour from Bremerhaven to the south.Say hi! to your parents...I encourage you my brother in arms to keep telling yourself I am getting better everyday in every way, Coz,my Lord and Savior is healing me. Read your Bible and pray every and the power of the Holy Spirit will heal you swiftly and soundly..may the everlasting Love and the Grace of God be with you and you family always...Lots of Love Rev.Asora and Mesepa Panama. |
Aisali F wrote: |
28 Jan 2009 05:35 PM |
| Thank you for your sacrifices and service to this gratefull nation SFC Tuimalealiifano and may God bless you and your family. |
a1c Su'a, Suatipatipa wrote: |
28 Jan 2009 05:24 AM |
| i know you might not know me, but you should know who my dad is..
galumalemana hine su'a...
hope you get well soon uso..
much alofa's comin' your way from joint base balad, iraq... |
Anonymous wrote: |
27 Jan 2009 06:20 AM |
| We honor you SFC Tuimalealiifano for all your sacrifices and services for your country. Malo lava Toa o Samoa! God bless! |
Leuluaialii wrote: |
27 Jan 2009 05:09 AM |
| Thank you SFC Tuimalealiifano for service. My family continues to pray for continuous progress on healing. God bless you and your beautiful family.
Soifua |
SSG Poumele Viliamu Puavao - McCall wrote: |
27 Jan 2009 03:34 AM |
| May the good Lord be with you and your family at this time. GOD BLESS and Your service for this nation is and will always be appreciated. Malo le fai o faiva. |
SSG Vito Fatutoa wrote: |
26 Jan 2009 08:54 PM |
| Malua, first and foremost, I would to offer my prayers and a million thanks to the MAN upstairs for HIS constant blessings, no matter the situation, we might find ourselves... Sole, its been a long time since the days of FHS, my heartfelt condolences to you and yours, injuries you've sustained... I'm really glad you are recovering well and pray it'll get better with time..Through all your trials and tribulations, GOD bless both you and family.. Vito Fatutoa.... |
Richard Lui Fatuesi wrote: |
26 Jan 2009 06:26 PM |
| Sua and Shannon, glad your PCS move went smoothly and your safe return to HI. Please extend our regards to the family there and wishing Sua a speedy recovery. Thank you for your service Sua. Love you Shannon. Hugs and kisses for Moe, Lele and Mana. Love, Mom and Dad. |
lagai jr wrote: |
26 Jan 2009 01:35 PM |
| God bless you and your family. Thanks for your services. |
Lafaele Fonoti wrote: |
26 Jan 2009 01:19 PM |
| Hey SFC Tuimalealiifano e fia avatu lava se matou faafetai ma lo matou aiga atoa ona ole tiute faalemalo sa e iai. Faafetai lava, ia alofa Le Atua ina ia toe faafoi le malosi sa iai, ia mamao ni ao lealea mani ao gasolo ma gasegase faatafa mo lau susuga. May God Bless you and your family. |
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