National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

img_4345-3

Flags are flying at half staff today, Thursday, Dec. 7, in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Governor Lemanu ordered the lowering of the flags pursuant to a proclamation by President Biden that the flags be flown at half staff today as a mark of respect for the 2,403 service members and civilians whose lives were cut short on that tragic morning on December 7, 1941.

“We honor the memories of the lives lost on that tragic day and we reflect on the resilience of America’s Armed Forces, who withstood the attack and built the most formidable defense force the world has ever known,” stated the Governor.

“As we reflect on the loss of life and the impact on the affected survivors and their families, let us take a moment to be grateful for the Lord’s continued protection and blessings on our territory.”

Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata said in a statement, “Early on that Sunday morning, imperial Japan made a deadly surprise attack from aircraft carriers against Pearl Harbor and other sites on Oahu, taking the lives of 2,403 U.S. Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and civilians, destroying or damaging 19 U.S. ships, and 300 aircraft. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it a ‘date which will live in infamy.’

“Many of us in American Samoa have visited these honored sites and memorials. American Samoa’s Uifa’atali Peter T. Coleman was stationed in Oahu as an Army officer, and came under fire from a strafing airplane, one day before his 22nd birthday.

He survived to go on and serve in the Pacific theater throughout the war, including Guadalcanal. This year, December 8th would have been his 104th birthday.

She said, “Pearl Harbor Day is a reminder of all the ‘greatest generation’ of Americans and allies did to secure freedom for us throughout these years since. I’m very proud of the strong tradition of military service our people have built in American Samoa, and we honor our Toa o Samoa, past and present, as they have carried on that same mission ensuring our peace and freedom.

“In 2023, we are able to count Japan among our friends and economic partners, as both our countries stand with our many Pacific allies for peace and security.”