On a rainy Veterans Day holiday, visiting veterans and Toa O Samoa joined Gov. Togiola Tulafono and First Lady Maryann Tulafono in a government led service held at the Faga’alu CCCAS where the men and women of the United States Armed Forces were honored.

Fallen heroes were remembered during a moment of silence and the governor thanked all veterans for their service to the nation and the territory in his first public speech since he returned last Sunday.

He said “on this Veterans Day, we are reminded that our responsibility as Americans goes beyond remembering and celebrating. It is about building a better and safer world.”

“I believe that as a nation during difficult times we find strength in our values and the character of this country. We pursue peace and freedom with more vigor and determination. The great deeds and sacrifices made by our veterans and soldiers remind us that we live in a great nation,” said Togiola. “A nation that is a symbol for freedom, peace, and equality. A nation whose citizens believe in hope. A nation whose citizens have an unquenchable thirst for peace and freedom. That is our country’s legacy.”

He noted that “these are challenging times for our country” as the US is engaged in wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan and ending another one in Iraq.

“We are facing economic challenges never seen before since the Great Depression. Here at home, we are rebuilding our community from one of the worst natural disasters to hit the territory,” the governor said. “But with assistance from our federal partners, and the generous support from family and friends around the country and the world, we are determined to restore and to rebuild our territory with confidence and purpose.”

Those gathering included a host of veterans who call American Samoa home and several who are in the territory to aid in disaster relief.

Among the visiting veterans are: Federal Coordinating Officer with FEMA, Kenneth Tingman and US Air Force Tech Sgt. Terry Grace, who is here with the Hawaii-based Air Force Band of the Pacific which performed at yesterday’s service. Five members of the band are in the territory.

Grace, who is originally from Jackson, Miss. says the band arrived Sunday and is set to perform at a number of schools while on-island. “We came here for Veterans Day and to uplift the people after the tsunami and earthquake,” said Grace who has been in the service for 18 and half years.

The Air Force band performed a number of musical pieces and the American Samoa Community College also provided hymns and music to honor the service men and women such as a piece honoring the US Army, US Air Force, US Navy, the US Marine Corps and the US Coast Guard. The flags of each branch were posted inside the church during the service.

Prayers for the safety of our soldiers, thanks and blessings were offered by Rev. Chaplain Asiata Fouvale. Rev. Paau Lalomauga, leader of the Faga’alu CCCAS provided a biblical reading and prayer in which he thanked the men and women in uniform for their service and prayed for their safety.

Director of Administrative Services, Nu’utai Sonny Thompson, a USAF veteran, read the proclamation for Veterans Day 2009, signed by Acting Gov. Faoa Sunia Nov. 4.

Well known veterans of American Samoa were in attendance, many in uniform. Among them were the Governor’s Appointed Representative (GAR) and Dept. of Human Resources Director Evelyn Vaitautolu Langford, Lefiti Pese (Dept. of Agriculture Director), Rosie Lancaster, Faagia Taufete’e, Tusipasi Suiaunoa, JROTC instructors Siaosi Asalele and Fiasili Bryant, and ManuSamoa Fiame from the Veterans Affairs Office.

The outdoor service in Vatia, founded by US Marine Corps veteran Tagaimamao Masaniai was canceled due to the pouring rain. Nevertheless, Masaniai raised the flags of the US and American Samoa and those of the US Armed Forces to mark the holiday.