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Amata at home commemorating Flag Day

Congresswoman Aumua Amata at the 2015 Flag Day celebration. [SN file photo]
Source: Office of the Congresswoman

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA —  Congresswoman Aumua Amata is commemorating our one of a kind Flag Day celebration that hails both our Samoan culture and our patriotic love for the United States, and released the following statement:

“On April 17th, our week-long celebration culminates when all of American Samoa remembers the first raising of the U.S. flag in American Samoa 118 years ago. Like you, I’m delighted to share these cultural experiences that we’ve known since childhood, including the storytelling of the pese malie and the siva, along with a joyful church service to acknowledge God as our benefactor, the fautasi race, plenty of good Samoan food and much more.

“This year, Flag Day is an added opportunity for the community to come together following Cyclone Gita and the entire community’s shared efforts to overcome the results of the storm in unity.

“I’m always happy to be home and part of this wonderful week. It’s such a pleasure to enjoy this combination of our deep sense of American patriotism with the celebratory traditions of our ancient Samoan culture.

“Our culture will always be an important part of guiding our people. It’s such a joy to see our Samoan Way influencing our younger generation and enriching our great country’s many cultural experiences. Our heritage is a beautiful blessing, and even when there are tough times – such as Storm Gita – we find comfort and enjoyment in these cultural events that will always bring us together.”