The Flag Day program will begin early Thursday, April 17, at Malae o le Talu in Fagatogo.
Guests are scheduled to arrive at 6:30 a.m., and the official program will start at 7:00 a.m.
Elder Faapito Auapaau of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will deliver the invocation. The U.S. anthem will be sung by Miss American Samoa Pauliana Felise Vitale, accompanied by the U.S. Navy Band, while the American Samoa anthem will be performed by the American Samoa Arts Council Choir.
An ava ceremony, performed by the Office of Samoan Affairs, will conclude the events at Malae o le Talu.
The program will continue at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna at 9:00 a.m.
The Flag Day proclamation will be read by members of the Tafuna High School Robotics and Drone Team, Gwenavere Ioka and Filiga Tufa, followed by Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula’s first Flag Day Address. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., after a performance by the Marine Band, while guests enjoy breakfast.
There will be a flyover by the Pacific U.S. Air Force, followed by a swearing-in ceremony for new recruits before the cultural entertainment begins.
The Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa will be the first group to perform, followed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Marine Band will perform while guests are served lunch, with the final performance by the Methodist Church. Secretary of Samoan Affairs Faiivae Alex Godinet will deliver the closing speech around 1:30 p.m., followed by the closing prayer by Elder Faapito Auapaau. The flags will be lowered, marking the conclusion of the 125th Flag Day celebrations.
