“Today, we once again come together to pay tribute and commemorate the sacrifice and bravery exhibited by the men and women on all the war theaters around the globe to protect and advance the American values which have made our nation the envy of the world,” said Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga during the Veteran’s Day Celebration, at the Veterans Memorial Center in Tafuna.

During the ceremony, Lolo extended to all the veterans of the United States and the territory, the men and women in uniform the territory’s eternal gratitude and the never ending appreciation of the people of American Samoa. The governor further noted that the dignity of the veterans day has been elevated by the presence of the Assistant Secretary of insular Affairs of the Department of Interior, Esther P Kia’aina, who offered special remarks during the ceremony.

Kia’aina, in her remarks, said it’s particularly fitting that the ceremony is celebrated on the grounds adjacent to the Veterans Memorial and Veterans Center, where 47 young men and women recently took the oath of allegiance to become US citizens. “The official purpose of Veterans Day is to celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good, and remarkably, it perfectly describes the people of American Samoa. It describes not only the veterans and those who are serving in the military today, but it also describes your families and the American Samoa people.”

She said American Samoa has been hailed as a recruiter’s paradise, and with other Pacific nations and territories, is said to have the highest proportion of their population serving in the US Military. “I understand that are hundreds of your men and women serving in the military and approximately 3,000 veterans residing in American Samoa. These veterans have come home to serve their family, villages and government and many of them are serving in branches of government.

“To mention a few, Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie, Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond and Judge Faamausili Pomele, Cabinet members Utuali’i Iuniasolua Savusa, Motusa Tuileama Nua and Sonny L Thompson and civilian aid, Mapu Jamaias.

“Thank you for your service, thank you for your dedication and commitment and thank you for your patriotism and your love of country and for all of your sacrifices,” Kia’aina said, adding that the basic principles of the Samoan matai (Chief) system, are no different from those of the military… discipline, respect, service, honor and duty are taught in families and expected by the community.

“The similarities in cultural principles likely inspires the large numbers who do join the military and your strong cultural foundation likely also explains the numerous honors, that have been bestowed on many Samoan veterans and those currently serving in the Armed Forces.”

She then shared with the audience her personal experience as the family of a veteran. “I fully understand respect, service and sacrifice — particularly when it comes to family.”

Kia’aina is the proud daughter of a Korean War Veteran and while her father is no longer with her, she remembers him telling her that “if he had to, he would have willingly crossed the 38th parallel into North Korea with the US armed forces to protect the freedoms of democracy, even if it meant the sacrifice of his own life.”

She also remembered the physical and emotional pain for lingering scars and wounds, that her father brought home from the war, wounds that he took to his grave.

In closing, the Assistant Secretary of insular Affairs of the DOI noted the sacrifice of all those who have served and are serving but also to honor the scarifies of their families — sacrifices that are given — sometimes long after the act of service is over.

“I known that many, including staff, have family members who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service, and we remember them also with gratitude within our heats and through your prayers at the Toa o Samoa monthly services.”

Master of Ceremonies was Human Resources Director Sonny L Thompson, a retired US Air Force Major, and Rev Letalitonu Tagaloa conducted the invocation and benediction.

Raising of the United States flag were SFC Jancey Shimasaki  and SFC Miquel Diaz  while SSG Ahping Asosi  (USA-RET) accompanied by GYSGT; Ben Te’o USMC-USA raised the American Samoa flag, according to the program.

Samoana and Fagaitua High School choirs sung the US national anthem and the American Samoa anthem.

Following the raising of the United States flag and the American Samoa flag, the veterans also raised the service flags of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard flags, along with the POW (prisoner of war) flag.