The Pacific Flying School management and students today held a 1-year memorial service for instructor Iliesa Tawalo and student Merelesita Lutu.

Tawalo and Lutu perished after the Cessna they were flying in crashed in the mountainous interior of Vanua Levu last year.

Speaking during the service this morning, student Tanisha Chandra says that Merelesita’s determination to achieve things in life will always be a motivating factor for them.

“One thing about Mere was that when she went through a tough time she would always turn to the Lord and it helped to keep pushing forward and knowing that everything would be okay.”

In a solemn occasion, Iliesa Tawalo’s brother Samuela Veikoso also shared that Iliesa’s legacy will live on.

“Knowing how much his family meant to him and also how he loved to do the work of God and I think that it was such a blessing that just before he passed away Iliesa was able to spend a long time with us.”

Close to 50 people gathered at the Flying School this morning to remember the lives of Iliesa and Merelesita.