Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In his proclamation for the 2022 Flag Day, under the theme “You and Your Constitution”, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga also officially announced that this year’s Constitutional Convention will be held in June — but with no specific dates noted.

The proclamation states in part that that, “to recognize the value of our Constitution and the prudence and wisdom of our forefathers in establishing a firm foundation for our government, this Flag Day’s theme is, ‘You and your Constitution’.”

“In June this year, a Constitutional Convention will take place to evaluate and discuss meaningful issues to strengthen our Constitution,” it says.

American Samoa yesterday marked the 2022 Flag Day on Apr. 18 — instead of Apr. 17 when the U.S Flag was first raised on Sogelau Hill in Fatatogo. April 17 this year fell on Sunday — Easter Sunday.

The United States and American Samoa flags flying yesterday in front of the Fagatogo Pavilion at yesterday’s 2022 Flag Day ceremony at Malae o le Talu at Fagatogo. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]

With current restrictions due to the community spread of COVID-19, this year’s scaled-back, one-day event, started about 15-minutes early, after the governor and his wife, First Lady Ella arrived at the Malae o le Talu in Fagatogo around 7:15a.m instead of the 7:30a.m, as shown in the Flag Day program.

In his Flag Day address delivered in Samoan, the governor offered apologies to leaders, groups, organizations and others, including those from Samoa, who were initially invited to this year’s celebration, before it was scaled back, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

He pointed to the many planned events, which the Administration had first announced in January this year — such as the return of the Fautasi race and cricket tournaments, which villages had already put in advanced preparation to mark this important event in American Samoa’s history.

He acknowledged that the program this year, is short due to COVID restrictions and that he — accompanied by Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale.  — planned to address the community later yesterday on state-run KVZK-TV with a lengthy speech.

Lemanu acknowledged the contributions of many in the community including former governors and called for a moment of silence to remember the territory’s forefather’s who paved the way to benefit future generations through the Deed of Cession with the United States and the first Flag raising on Apr. 17, 1900.

The only other speaker of the day was Talauega, who delivered special thanks to the community before the closing. He acknowledged with gratitude the federal team on island supporting American Samoa’s response to the COVID community spread.

Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale delivering special remarks before the closing yesterday morning of the 2022 Flag Day ceremony at Malae o le Talu at Fagatogo. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]

Allison Pfaendler, leader of the U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT), was among the very few VIPs who attended the ceremony including leaders of the Fono and Judicial Branches. U.S Interior Department’s local field representative, Lydia Faleafine-Nomura represented USDOI.

Dignitaries during the National Anthem for the United States of America at the start yesterday of the 2022 Flag Day ceremony at Malae o le Talu at Fagatogo. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]

And to comply with COVID restrictions, VIPs including the governor, all sat at tables — social distanced — under two tents, instead of past years where they sat on the stage of the Fagatogo Pavilion.

CONGRESSWOMAN’S FLAG DAY STATEMENT

Over the weekend, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, issued an official Flag Day statement on this special day for American Samoa.

“Flag Day is an important day to our people, and by God’s grace we can truly hope that next year’s celebration will be back to full strength for the first time since 2019. On this day in our history, we look back to when our ancestors raised the U.S. flag in Tutuila, with Manu’a to officially join the United States a few years later,” she said. 

“We celebrate being part of a great country, while keeping true to our own Samoan heritage. That makes our relationship with the United States special even among the other island territories. It gives us great pride that our islands have built an outsized tradition of military service. This Flag Day, we think especially of our many military families with loved ones serving far away, and others who cannot be home,” she points out.

“Our prayers are with all those families currently battling COVID, or mourning a recent loss. Finally, we think of those working long hours so we have the necessary testing and treatment for the virus. May God bless all of you. I look forward to being home with you in American Samoa very soon, and I miss you and will be thinking of you this Flag Day. Have a happy and blessed Flag Day,” she concluded.

Chief Pulu Ae Ae Jr. represented the Congresswoman at the Flag Day ceremony.

Uniformed police officers pose for Samoa News on their motorcycles yesterday morning in Fagatogo for the 2022 Flag Day celebration. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]