Avealalo Milo

Sunday, October 07 2007 @ 12:28 AM EDT

Pacific Magazine -- Another son of American Samoa has died in combat while serving with U.S. military forces in Iraq, acting Gov. Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia announced today.

Army Spc. Avealalo Milo, 23, of Malaeimi, Tutuila, was killed in action on October 4 while engaged with enemy forces in Baghdad, Iraq, said Sunia.

The U.S. Defense Department has not yet issued an official statement on Milo’s death. Milo is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mareko and. Folola Milo of Malaeimi.

Sunia offered his “profound sympathy to the family of U.S. Army Specialist Avealalo Milo, who gave his life with honor to protect our nation and our island home.

“Specialist Milo’s bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered as he willingly served America and protected the freedom of the world, while fighting to restore the freedom of another land,” said Sunia.

“I ask all of American Samoa to unite in prayer for the comfort of his family during this painful time,” Sunia said as he extended his condolences to the grieving family. “May God’s grace provide us all with comfort during this time of grief?”

Milo’s mother, Folola, said local military representatives visited the family home last night. They delivered the “sad news” that their son has died in action.

“It’s such a hard and difficult time for us, especially when that bond between a son and parents have suddenly ended,” she said Friday evening during an interview.

“I am happy and proud that my son was useful in his life, serving a purpose,” she said, adding that Avealalo is the oldest of four children. “My dear son -- we are proud of you.” Educated in his younger years in American Samoa, Milo moved to neighboring Samoa to complete his high school education. He returned to American Samoa in 2001.

In 2003 he moved to California “seeking a better life and opportunities despite our concerns but we let him go,” said his mother.

Milo joined the U.S. Army in 2005. He was stationed at Fort Irwin in Barstow, California. He was also stationed in German until August this year when he was deployed to Iraq, his mother said.

Folola Milo said she would like her son to return to American Samoa for burial but nothing was finalized with the military.

Milo is survived by his wife Joshlyn (they were married only three months ago), his parents, two sisters and a brother.

Milo is the fifteenth Samoan soldier to die in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

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