Vasemaca Naiviko Lutu (right) with her parents at the Lovonilase Cemetery on March 9, 2018. PHOTO: Fonua Talei
When the Lutu family received news that they had lost the baby of their family; Merelesita ‘Salau’, their father Emosi Lutu told them that when their time comes they must be prepared to meet God, ‘Our Creator.’
The elder sister of the late Pacific Flying School (PFS) trainee pilot, Vasemaca Naiviko Lutu revealed today what their father had told them in the minutes after they received the tragic news of Ms Lutu’s passing which not only rocked the aviation community but the country as a whole.
Ms Lutu was on a routine training flight on Cessna 172 aircraft with flight instructor Iliesa Tawalo on February 26, 2018 when they crashed at the Delaikoro Ridge in Macuata.
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The wreckage was found two days later by search and rescue teams.
Mr Tawalo was laid to rest at the Enamanu Cemetary in Nadi on Thursday March 8, 2018.
In a heart-wrenching eulogy at the Centenary Church during Salau’s memorial service today, Ms Lutu said, “my father told us when we found out that we had lost Salau that we will all go, we may go in different ways, in different circumstances and in different times but if it is our time to go we must be prepared to meet God our Creator.”
“And while we are alive the pursuit of God must be foremost in our lives.”
On behalf of the Lutu family, she acknowledged all the men and women involved in the search and rescue efforts which saw their baby returned back home.
“We are here to celebrate Salau’s life and the memories that she has left behind. Salau lived a life that we are all very proud of and if anything that Salau has taught us it is to live everyday to the fullest and live life to the best of your ability,” she said.
“Salau’s loss is heaven’s gain. As a family, Salau’s departure leaves a void in our hearts.
We have lost our baby, our pride and joy. No words can express how deeply hurt and saddened we all are as a family.”
Ms Lutu closed her eulogy with a message that if there was one thing that we could learn from Salau it is to, “pursue your dreams and live your life to the fullest.”
“Salau is in the arms of our Saviour now. She has reached her true destination.”
“When she took off from Labasa that rainy Monday morning she has reached not the hidden paradise our hometown but the true heavenly paradise.”
"Till that glorious morning, rest well my baby sister Salau!"
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