Flag Day celebration underway

fua-fagaitua

Flag Day 2018 is underway at the Veterans Memorial Stadium under wet and rainy conditions.
As the Flag Day program states, all groups marching in the Parade started arriving before 6am and some of the VIP guests were seated at the grandstand around the same time.

Its an early start for the Flag Day festivities which has been dedicated to the Youth. Tents line the perimeter of the stadium for the

Governor Lolo Moliga arrived at the stadium at  7 am and the official program starts with the  opening prayer by Rev. Leitualasa Malietulua of the Nuuuli Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa.

The US flag will be raised by Vini Sipili, President of NHS Tafuna High school, and Aitulagi Alofa President NHS of Manumalo Baptist school.

Hoisting the American Samoa flag are Al-Jo Aumua Student Body president of Leone High School and Finora Sai, Student Body President of Kanana-fou High School.

The Samoana High School choir will sing both the US anthem and “Amerika Samoa”.

Governor Lolo Moliga will deliver his remarks and then the keynote speaker Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs, Mr. Doug Domenech will take the podium.

Mr. Domenech is on his first official visit since being appointed to the position.

Since arriving last Thursday night he has taken a Twin Otter ride to Ta’u island, hopped on a boat to Ofu and Olosega, had his photos taken with Manu’a elementary school students, checked out the National Park, visited the hospital, inspected the shipyard, toured the eastern side of the island and held several meetings.

The Flag Day Parade is expected to be one of the biggest with the participation of all government departments and agencies as well as authorities.

At the last cabinet meeting Governor Lolo Moliga told directors its up to them to rally their employees to participate in the Flag Day parade.

Churches, villages, community organizations and sports teams are also joining the parade.

After the parade, the traditional entertainment will begin.

Faasao Marist High School is the first on the program, followed by Fagaitua and then the American Samoa Community College.

The final group to take the field is the group form Saleimoa village, Samoa.

The Flag Day Committee, co chaired by Lt, Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega are hoping for an early wrap up.

Off- island VIPs joining the celebration include Samoa’s Head of State and Deputy Prime Minister, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, Ulu o Tokelau, high commissioners  of New Zealand and Australia in Samoa, military officials and FEMA’s Region Nine Administrator Robert Fenton.

The United States Charge D Affairs in Samoa Mr Anthony Grubbel is also attending.