A love ballad that a theological student at Malua penned for a nurse that he thought was going to be his wife was one of the songs that was performed at the Veterans Memorial Stadium for the celebration marking 100 years of nursing in American Samoa.
That nurse was one of the three pioneers of nursing in the territory who were remembered during the parade, dancing and singing and speeches for the celebration.
She was Pepelele Malemo from Olosega village.
And the song that the Malua Theological College student wrote to lament his broken heart was performed by the Olosega group, led by High Talking Chief Malemo Tausaga.
Olosega also paid tribute to another pioneer nurse from their island Feiloaiga Elisara Apisaloma.
The third member of the nursing trio was Initia Nemaia from Nua and Seetaga.
Her village also entertained at today’s centennial festivities and performed a song especially composed in her honor and reflecting on the past 100 years of nursing.
The day started with a parade in which the nurses marched in uniforms from the decades in which they started working as nurses. There were also beautifully decorated floats depicting events and nurses at work.
Retired nurses, some who traveled from off island marched proudly in their white uniform and white caps with blue stripes. A few were in wheelchairs.
Governor Lolo Moliga acknowledged the important contribution and critical role of the nurses saying they are continuing the work that Jesus Christ carried out on earth, that is looking after the sick.
He also thanked the nurses for their hard work, their patience to stomach the many complaints from patients and especially families of the sick. Floats displayed how the communities identified nurses from each time period, .
The celebration will continue tomorrow with planned activities at the Su’igaula o le Atuvasa.
