Hundreds of mourners witnessed a full military funeral accorded to the late Warrant Officer Class One Tevita Labati Waqa, beginning at Colo-i-Suva Methodist Church on Friday.

Mr Waqa was laid to rest at the Nasinu Cemetery, in Wainibuku.

Among mourners at the funeral service was the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, military colleagues, families and friends of the late Mr Waqa.

Many knew him for his generous and kind-hearted nature.

In his eulogy, Reverend Major Ilaitia Tuwere said that “in this world, everything has a time and a season. And everything that lives on this earth, has an ending.”

Reverend Tuwere said a lot could be said about the late Mr Waqa, who involved himself in family functions, the church, the vanua and he particularly loved his work.

“This man, never failed to impress, he involved himself in things wholeheartedly and never backed down,” Reverend Tuwere said.

“Families in this community will surely feel the loss of this man.”

A relative said Mr Waqa was “one of a kind”.

“Whenever, someone wants something, no matter how small he willing helped.”

“His memories will live on.”

Career

Mr Waqa was a Republic of Fiji Miliatry Forces recruit in 1991 and enlisted into the Regular Force in 1992, where he was posted to the Logistic Support Unit (LSU) transport cell.

He spent 28 years in the RFMF and was considered as a loyal, determined and hardworking soldier.

Mr Waqa is survived by his wife and six children.

He also served in various peacekeeping missions overseas, which included the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Multinational Forces and Observers (MFO) in Sinai, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

Edited by Percy Kean

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