OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Monday, May 28, 2007)
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Gov. Togiola pays tribute at Satala Cemetery on Memorial Day

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today laid a wreath at the tombs of SatalaCemeteryand gave his annual Memorial Day address as part of the American SamoaGovernment-Office ofVeterans Affairs ceremony in honor of those who gave their lives in service to America and American Samoa.

“I place this wreath as a symbol of sincere gratitude of a very thankful people for those who have come to rest on these sacred grounds,” said Governor Togiola before laying the wreath on a grave. “Maytheyforever rest in peace with God’s love and blessings.”

Memorial Day Address at Satala Cemetery
from Governor Togiola

“Today is not just a day of remembrance of our men and women in uniformwhohavegiven their lives in the service of our nation, our people, and of all free men and women.

In American Samoa, this day has special significance. Today is the day families come together to decorate the final resting place of their ancestors and loved ones, and also of the tombs of those who have given their lives, not only in service of our nation, but also in service of our people and all people of the world. It is a day to renew the connectionwith their loved ones.

On these sacred grounds, not all of those we see here inthis final resting place weremilitary service members. Some of them worked for our government and our people to prepare the way for generations of American Samoa. We are celebrating on this Memorial Day their contribution to the American Samoa that we enjoy today. Some of them were doctors and office clerks who came from another land far away to serve our people and our government. A former Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa is laid to rest here. And most of those who are interred here are individuals who worked in general services of our government and for our people.

American Samoa today remembers because of our love for precious life and humankind --our fellow man. As we join the United States of America on this Memorial Day inhonoring our military personnel who have given their lives, we thank God for their service and their lives.

It is not about remembering servants from a distant place that have performed service for American Samoa. It is about life as it is today and what we hold dear in our hearts of past contributions of our loved ones and those who came before us.

Every year, since the emergence of the Iraq conflict and the Iraqi freedom operations, we have lost our own young people. Only a few short weeks ago, we laid to rest a 29 year-old soldier who came home to his wife, young children and his parents to rest forever.

Lest we forget, to them, today and forever, we say thank you. We thank themfor their true conviction in the spirit of volunteerism. That they stood up to represent American Samoa in our Armed Forces to serve our nation, to serve our people, and to give their lives to serve God’s people in the world, we say thank you. Through their lifegiving, we offer our thanksgiving. We thank God that they lived a life of service to His people and they were a part of us.

And today, and always, we shall remember the service and the sacrifice that they have given for all of us. We say “Malo tau, malie toa, malolo ma le manuia.” [Thank you for fighting the good fight, thank you for your bravery and service. May you rest in peace with our sincere thanks.]”