Fiji Army Funeral for WO1 Silivenusi Vutikalulu

The RFMF bid farewell to the late senior instructor, a mentor and a hardworking Warrant Officer Class One Silivenusi Vutikalulu at the Suva Cemetery on Tuesday February 6th 2019.
The Deputy Commander, Brigadier General Aziz Mohammed led the RFMF delegation comprising of RFMF Senior Officers, officers men and women of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces as they gathered at the Tamavua-i-Wai Methodist Church for the farewell church service to the late WO1 Vutikalulu. He was accorded a full military funeral before being laid to rest at the Suva Cemetery.
In presenting the deceased’s eulogy, the Officer Commanding of the Army Training School, Captain Simione Qionibaravilala stated that the late 24053 Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Silivenusi Vutikalulu will be remembered for his courageous character in the military. “He is well known in the military institution for his sound leadership & mentorship, moral courage and wisdom,” he said. He added that the most challenging aspect of his quality was the usual perception of ignoring a soldier’s weakness and is always optimistic with that soldier’s potential.
WOI Vutikalulu was enlisted into the RFMF on 24th March 1982 when he was 19 years old. He became a member of the Fiji Infantry Depot following his basic recruitment and was posted to the Regular Force in 1986.
As the late WO1 Vutikalulu rose through the ranks on his career path, he departed our shores for a total of 12 years. Eight of those years he served as a peacekeeper for the effort of global peacekeeping, 1 year for attending courses in New Zealand and Australia and 3 of those years as an instructor of the Land Command Battle School in Australia. He conducted the first RFMF locally designed Regimental Sergeant Major’s Course based on the wealth of knowledge, maturity and experience he poses.
The late SNCO received various military courses awards. He received the Top Student Award after successfully completing the Section Commander’s Course. He received the Merit Award, Management Award and the Regimental Award after successfully completing the Warrant Officers Promotion Course. He attended the Regimental Sergeant Majors Course in 1997 held in Australia and won the Foreign Student Award. The late WO1 Vutikalulu was later appointed the Regimental Sergeant Major for the Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) when he was 34 years old.
He was also appointed to other positions including the Regimental Sergeant Major for the Second Fiji Infantry Regiment in Sinai Egypt, Regimental Sergeant Major for the Fiji Battalion serving in Iraq, Garrison Sergeant Major at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, he was the first Regimental Sergeant Major for the Land Force Command, President of the Warrant Officers Mess Committee, Brigade Sergeant Major for the Territorial Force Brigade and the School Sergeant Major of the Army Training School in Nasinu.
WO1 Vutikalulu was also awarded peacekeeping medals from the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon, the Multinational Force and Observers, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Irag and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force. Locally, he was also awarded the Republic of Fiji Medal, the General Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Award, the 25th Anniversary Medal and the Warrant Parchment which was presented by His Excellency the President at Government House.
Capt. Qionibaravilala concluded that the late WO1 Vutikalulu’s personality and contribution to the RFMF will be a memorable aspect to the institution. “Although he has departed for the afterlife, his character will be a guiding light to us as his companions and his remarkable contribution throughout his 37 years of service to the RFMF will be remembered,” he concluded.
Mr Vutikalulu was a faithful Christian preacher and always willing to proclaim the good news whenever the opportunity arises. He was called to rest a few seconds after delivering a sermon on Sunday 24th February 2019 at the Tamavua-i-Wai Methodist Church in Suva and the pull pit was his point of ascension on that day.
He hails from Nayaroyaro village in the Dogotuki District of the Macuata Province in Vanua Levu is survived by his wife Mrs Ulamila Taufaga and five children.

[@benqereqeretabua6796]

May you find rest in God's loving arms😭🧡

[@amannaidu7515]

Thank you soldier for keeping us safe 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏!!!!!!

[@lebatalikai815]

Isaa!! Moce Mr Vutikalulu mai cava dua gauna.talei.ni veitokani..RIP GOOD SOLDIER

[@bigboymo1682]

Thank you for everything, you guys Sacrifice so much

[@ameniasishanghai6408]

God bless to all the family ⚘⚘

[@asumdai4894]

Honourable funeral

[@laleshkumar6047]

Very touching.
RIP sir.

[@laleshkumar6047]

Pretty sure him and my dad knew each other. My dad Sgt 58 was with the Police force from 1953 to 1990.
Must have met at a Sukuna Bowl match in Nasova.

[@manoanaulumatua57]

Rest in peace sir my comrade

[@vaniadilewanuya7075]

ll

[@kajiivahila6177]

Vinaka saka. R.I.P

[@boe_mah]

❤❤❤

[@ilaitiaturaganivalu7035]

❤

[@savenacawaqavou7956]

Ni qai moce toka mada vakàdua

[@viliametorocake]

R.I.P ......cava beka na yacani sere qo?

[@dantuicakau214]

Nanumi au by Blackrose.