President Donald Trump has wished American Samoa a happy 125th Flag Day. The President’s video message was shown during the Flag Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Stadium this morning.
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The raising of the flags of the United States and American Samoa took place early this morning at Malae ole Talu in Fagatogo.
Miss American Samoa Pauliana Felise Vitale sang the U.S. anthem, and the American Samoa Arts Council Choir performed the American Samoa anthem while police officers raised the two flags.
Present with Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and First Lady Dr. Lois Phillips-Pula, along with Lt. Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr., were Samoa’s Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, Hawaii Governor Josh Green, Chief Justice Leaialoa Michel Kruse, the Senate President and House Speaker, Secretary of Samoan Affairs, District Governors, and other off-island guests.
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Several members of the House of Representatives were seated in tents on the malae.
Elder Faapito Auapaau of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who delivered the invocation, gave an inspirational message about sowing seeds of unity, love, and faith, and being true followers of Christ. He noted the erosion of traditional values, as evident in exchanges on social media, where respect between family members, matai, and leaders is often lost.
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The master of ceremonies was the Executive Director in the Governor’s Office, Vaiutusala Sataua Dr. Mataese Samuelu.
As the Office of Samoan Affairs performed the ava ceremony, a rainbow appeared over the Fagatogo malae.
The Flag Day ceremony then moved to the Veterans Memorial Stadium. Two members of the Tafuna High School Robotics and Drone Team, Gwenavere Ioka and Filiga Tufa, confidently read the proclamations in both English and Samoan.
Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, in his Flag Day address, paid tribute to the forefathers who ceded the islands of American Samoa to the United States.
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The Governor also reflected on the territory’s political development.
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More than 20 recruits for various branches of the US Armed Forces had their enlistment ceremony as part of the official Flag Day program.
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An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft performed a flyover of the stadium, which Brigadier General Alan Matney of the Pacific Air Force said was a tribute to the honored tradition of military service of the people of American Samoa.
The pass in review was led by DPS, with the Navy and Marine Bands, JROTC units, schools, sports teams, government departments, and businesses participating. StarKist Samoa was the largest group in the parade. Governor Pulaalii and Lt. Governor Pulumataala stood throughout the parade, waving at the marchers.
Just before 11 a.m., the entertainment by the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa got underway. They were followed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the final group to perform being the Methodist Church.
Photo: Ava Ceremony for Flag Day at Malae o le Talu/Am. Samoa Visitors Bureau
