Obituary: Faoa L. Apineru

Faoa L. Apineru U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant US Marine Staff Sergeant Faoa L. Apineru, 31, passed away on July 2, 2007 at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System Hospital. He was born December 5, 1975 in American Samoa to Reverend Isaako and Tiute Apineru. SSG Apineru was a ten-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, a retired Staff Sergeant and Communications Chief with Task Force Rhino. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, who served the Marines in World War II. SSG Apineru was stationed at Camp Pendleton, 29 Palms, Guantanamo Bay, Okinawa, and Quantico. The Marine Corps family was very important to him. He often referred to his fellow soldiers as "My Marines" because their camaraderie reminded him of his close-knit Samoan family. They called him "AP" because they found his name hard to pronounce. In May 2005, SSG Apineru sustained a traumatic brain injury caused by a road-side bomb while patrolling the northern Iraq border, a wound that eventually took his life. The severity of the injury resulted in severe post-traumatic stress disorder, memory loss, nightmares, and emotional distress. He had to relearn how to perform basic functions, such as talking and driving. Yet through his difficult rehabilitation, SSG Apineru exhibited an amazing resilience and optimism. He was known in the VA hospital as "the Mayor," a hospitable and compassionate man who hosted barbecues for other residents and was a close brother to any vet going through a difficult time. His selflessness extended to the hospital staff, and he often created certificates of thanks to acknowledge their hard work. SSG Apineru rebuilt connections with his Marine brothers and renewed relationships with his family in American Samoa. The karate black belt and former marathon runner participated in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. SSG Apineru is survived by the USMC, his mother, Tiute Apineru, brother Selemaea Apineru, sisters Finau Sulu Apineru (brother-in-law Sio Falaniko) and Makerita Tiute Apineru. He'll be remembered for his broad shoulders and easy laugh and boundless love for his nieces and nephews Ruby, Sabrina, Synclare, Kerri, Shawn, Sinalei, and Selemaea Apineru. A celebration service will be held Friday, July 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the 1st United Methodist Church, 203 E. 200 S, Salt Lake City UT. Family and friends may also call at the church on Thursday, July 12, from 7-9 p.m. Following the services, the burial will take place at the Utah Veteran's Memorial State Park in Riverton. Funeral Directors, Russon Brothers, SLC. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com Semper Fi.