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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – American Samoa
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – November 12, 2007)
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 Acting Governor Ipulasi honors Veterans
and fallen soldiers for sacrifices
(UTULEI) – Acting Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia today honored the servicemen and servicewomen of the nation and the Territory, past and present, at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna.
Acting Governor Ipulasi spoke about the solemn tradition to honor “our veterans, our armed forces, Toa o Samoa, men and women in uniform who stood guard 24-7 so that may live freely, free to worship, free to speak, free to work and free to play.” He paid tribute to all loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“To the families of veterans and soldiers, know that your father, husband, mother, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, did not die in vain,” said Acting Gov. Ipulasi. “They committed their lives to this service because they wanted you and I to live in a free world.”
Acting Governor Ipulasi said, as Samoans, the Territory has a unique opportunity to deeply reflect about how “our own history and lives” have been shaped by wars, and by military administration in the previous century.
“And as we celebrate and enjoy being inheritors of a free and democratic society in this peaceful part of the planet, let us not forget that our Toa o Samoa and other brave soldiers are still, at this very hour, fighting our number one enemy at the moment --terrorism,” said Acting Governor Ipulasi.
The Acting Governor’s speech also included a moment of silence to respect the memories of all sons and daughters “who gave their lives so the rest of us may continue to live in a free society.”
“Most recently, Toa o Samoa – Avealalo Milo and Lui Tumanuvao. To their families, children, parents and friends, I want to say on behalf of the people of American Samoa that we grieve with you, and we are very proud and we are indebted to your fallen sons.
The observance featured a tribute to six fallen soldiers who were killed this year: Army SGT. Lui Tumanuvao, Army SPC Avealalo Milo, Army PFC David Tipo To'omalatai, Army SGT Raymond S. Seva'aetasi, Army PFC Timothy R. Vimoto, Milo, and Army PFC Jason Levi.
Acting Governor Ipulasi placed six flower ula on six soldier memorial of combat boots, weapon and Kevlar, that symbolized the fallen soldiers, strategically placed on a platform on the field.
Also honored were three Samoans, who did not die in action, but passed away this year. Reservists Save Moana and Mikaele Mikaele Jr. who served in Iraq, and Elizabeth Unutoa, based out of Fort Bragg, Georgia., who had also served in Iraq.
Mrs. Fuala'au Tago Lancaster, a retired U.S. Army Officer, read the Governor’s Veterans Day proclamation at the ceremony.
Acting Governor Ipulasi expressed his sincere thanks to High Talking Chief Paogofie Fiaigoa and his staff for another successful Veterans Day celebration.
He also thanked and commended the JROTCs of Fagaitua, Kanana Fou, Leone, Samoana and Tafuna High Schools for their participation, as well as “the wonderful voices” of the choirs from Pava’ia’i and Tafuna Elementary Schools, and “the sensational” Fatuoaiga Catholic Youth Band.
Acting Governor Ipulasi also gave special thanks for local Army Reservists and the American Samoa Chapter of the American Red Cross for taking part in the celerbation, and also to all those who were present at the Veterans Memorial Stadium, or the Malae o Lupelele, to pay tribute to our veterans.
VETERANS DAY ADDRESS
by Acting Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia
“In the year 1918, on the 11th day of November, nations of the Allies entered into a peace treaty with Germany and the other Central Powers to end World War I. In the years that followed, the free world commemorated the anniversary date of this peace treaty, as Armistice Day.
In 1954, Armistice Day was proclaimed in the United States as Veterans Day. A holiday specially designated so that Americans, wherever they may be, pay tribute to the contribution and heroism of veterans and those currently serving in her armed forces.
We are gathered here in recognition of this solemn tradition to honor them --our veterans, our armed forces, Toa o Samoa, men and women in uniform-- who stood guard 24-7, whom in million occasions made the ultimate sacrifice so that we, in Samoa, and nationals and citizens of the other territories and of the 50 states, and all of our allied nations, may live freely, free to worship, free to speak, free to work and free to play.
To the families of veterans and soldiers: Know that your father, husband, mother, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, did not die in vain. They committed their lives to this service because they wanted you and I to live in a free world.
Last Saturday night, Governor Togiola Tulafono thanked the leaders and people of Samoa for officially recognizing America’s Veterans Day on the soils of Samoa. He reminded them that by acknowledging Veterans Day in Samoa, they were honoring the sacrifice made by our sons and daughters from Savai’i, Upolu, Apolima, and Manono, who proudly served under the American Flag, to secure peace and freedom in the world.
So, on this Veterans Day, as we honor our soldiers who bravely fought in past and present wars, we as Samoans have a unique opportunity to deeply reflect about how our own history and lives have been shaped by wars, and by military administration in the previous century.
And as we celebrate and enjoy being inheritors of a free and democratic society in this peaceful part of the planet, let us not forget that our Toa o Samoa and other brave soldiers are still, at this very hour, fighting our number one enemy at the moment: Terrorism.
And may I ask that we remain quiet for 10 seconds to respect the memories of all of our sons and daughters who gave their lives so the rest of us may continue to live in a free society. Most recently, Toa o Samoa – Army Specialist Avealalo Milo and Army Sergeant Lui Tumanuvao. To their families, children, parents and friends, I want to say on behalf of the people of American Samoa that we grieve with you, but we are very proud and we are indebted to your fallen sons.
(Moment of Silence)
I ask the people of our Territory to keep them and all families who have lost loved ones in our hearts, and in our prayers. “
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