A delegation from Samoa led by Speaker of Parliament Hon. Auapa’au Mulipola Aloitafua Mulipola attended American Samoa’s 126th Flag Day celebrations, with Government of Samoa posts saying the delegation was present for the official programme and the school entertainment. The same posts said this year’s celebration carried the theme “Children are the Future of Samoa”.
The day began before sunrise at the Fagatogo malae, where Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula inspected the honour guard. Talanei reported that the ceremony opened with welcoming remarks from Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs Vaiutusala Dr Mataese Samuelu, followed by an invocation from Rev. Richard Faafetai Faavae. In keeping with the theme, the Flag Day proclamation was read by high school students in Samoan and English before police officers hoisted the flags.
Talanei reported that the ceremony then shifted to Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna for the rest of the day’s programme. There, Governor Pulaali’i tied the theme to the strong presence of young people in the fautasi crews and in the performing groups that took part in the celebration.
The parade was led by the Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Marine Band from Kaneohe. Schools, veterans, businesses and community groups also took part, including cricket teams, the Manulele Tausala crews, StarKist Samoa, the Tamalii Dance Group from Arizona and the Malofie Association.
The entertainment programme featured performances from Fagaitua High School, Manu’a High School, Samoana High School and Leone High School, before the Department of Education closed the day with the taualuga. Talanei reported that each of the schools received a cheque for US$2,500.
The wider significance of Flag Day was also reflected in a statement from Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who said April 17 recalls the first official raising of the American flag in Tutuila, with Manu’a joining four years later. She said the occasion also honours the chiefs of 1900 and 1904 who chose union with the United States while protecting Samoan culture, language, land and matai traditions.
This year’s celebration brought together officials, church leaders, school communities, cultural groups and visiting delegations, with Samoa’s delegation joining the ceremonies and public events held across the day in American Samoa.
