For the 123rd anniversary of the raising of the US flag on Tutuila, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following message:
“First of all, I’m very happy to be home for Flag Day to take part in the celebrations with you!” said Congresswoman Amata. “It’s so good this year, to have a much more traditional Flag Day with lots of activities to enjoy together.”
“Flag Day is an important day to our people, keeping our heritage alive while celebrating our relationship with the United States, which remains special and unique. When our ancestors raised the U.S. flag on Tutuila, with Manu’a to officially join a few years later, we became part of a great country. In the years since, the U.S. has been the world’s most influential nation and a great force for freedom, especially in the two world wars.
“Here in American Samoa, we’ve made it a lasting priority to keep true to our own Samoan heritage, and to keep the Samoan language in use. We can be proud of those efforts, and our patriotic connection to the U.S. That’s why on any holiday, we think especially of our many military families and our distant Toa o Samoa. May God bless American Samoa and the United States! Have a happy Flag Day!”
