2023 Flag Day a joyous event despite the gray skies and steady rain

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite gray skies and steady rain — the official flag day for the 2023 Flag Day, marking the 123 years since American Samoa became part of the U.S. family, continued more or less according to schedule, with the parade, flag raising and ava ceremony, as well as the siva & pese from different faiths braving the weather to celebrate the event.

Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga and first lady Ella and Lt. Gov. Talauega E.V. Ale and Mrs. Marianne Ale were in their element as the territory opened its arms to the celebration.

This year’s theme is “Unity Blesses the Nation” or in Samoan, “E Manuia le Atunu’u i le Galulue Faatasi” and this is the first full-fledged Flag Day celebration since 2019, due to COVID-19 restrictions the last three years.

Medicaid office staffers are all smiles with their banner yesterday preparing to take part in the ASG Flag Day Parade at Veterans Memorial Stadium. [ASMSA Facebook]

An added bonus to the Flag Day celebration, is that Samoa News confirms that the governor has announced that tomorrow, Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2023 will be a ‘family day’ for American Samoa and all ASG workers are off — returning to work instead on Wednesday.

The list of VIPs in attendance at the Flag Day celebration was impressive.

Human Resources employees smile for a photo in their terrific parade uniforms yesterday, where they took part in the ASG Flag Day Parade at Veterans Memorial Stadium. [DHR Facebook]

This year, the U.S. Armed Forces attended in force — with Rear Admiral Blake L. Converse, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet attending. Representatives from the Navy, Coast Guard, Army and Marines were also present, not only in the stands but on the parade malae.

John Brewer of the U.S Department of Interior, as well as representatives of the Honolulu mayor’s office, and members of the U.S. Consulate from Samoa were all seen seated at the Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Our own Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata was also able to attend this year.

Head of State Tuimalealiifano V. Sualauvi and his masiofo represented Samoa. As previously announced, the Samoa prime minister was unable to attend — she was here for the Atoa o Samoa Talks that took place over two days last week.

Opening and closing prayers were offered by Catholic Bishop Peter Brown, in Samoan, with some Flag Day remarks — as he will be retiring this month, and leaving the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago, American Samoa. He thanked the governor and people of American Samoa for their many kindnesses to a “person from outside”.

Deputy director of Samoan Affairs, Tauese Va’a Sunia was the Master of Ceremony and led the event with welcoming remarks. Later, noting the steady rain, Tauese declared that the one-day 2023 Flag Day celebration would continue and asked for patience with the rain that brings blessings to our Territory.

Raising of the colors — U.S. and Amerika Samoa — was done to each national anthem sung by elementary students to a standing audience.

Miss SOFIAS Runi Talaifaga and the four lovely contestants along with members of SOFIAS participating in the American Samoa Government Flag Day Parade at Veterans Memorial Stadium, yesterday. Their appearance was enjoyed as they threw kisses to the grandstand. [SOFIAS Facebook]

Gov. Lemanu delivered the keynote Flag Day address before not only VIPs from of-island but also leaders of American Samoa — from all branches of the government.

Welcoming all guests and visitors to the Flag Day celebration, he pointed to the blessings of the Lord and our ancestors’ hard work that have brought this special day to fruition. He noted that COVID-19 delayed the celebration for 3 years, but now after a successful journey — the beginning and ending — all has been possible by working together and within God’s grace. Lemanu also gave special thanks to the Red Cross for their work in the Territory and the world.

The government is celebrating the American Samoa Red Cross Centennial Day on the same day as Flag Day, to acknowledge the long history of dedicated and compassionate service to the residents of the territory and support their humanitarian mission, according to Governor Lemanu.

Lemanu further acknowledged Lt. Gov. Talauega for his hard work.

During the keynote address, a swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Army recruits was done in the presence of Lemanu, who is a retiree of the U.S. Army. He thanked all U.S. military personnel for their service.

After the keynote address the ‘Walking Together’ parade comprising different government departments and agencies, as well as brass marching bands from the different local high schools, including Manu’a.

The parade that was scheduled for Saturday afternoon was delayed due to heavy rains, thunder & lightening and moved to Monday, Apr 17 celebration.

The governor and lt. governor with their wives stood at the podium area to greet each group that walked by with special performances from each local high school band that proudly displayed their progress.

Special mention goes out to the Marine military brass band that attended from off-island and participated in the march. Of note, the local brass bands are particularly special to the governor as his administration spearheaded the Marching Band Initiative (MBI) that completed its first year in 2022. It saw the re-introduction of the brass band to the territory’s high school curriculum, after its demise in the 70’s.

StarKist Samoa that is celebrating its 60 years of being in the territory gathered around 2,000 strong for the Flag Day parade. Chief executive officer, Chae-Ung Um visited American Samoa on Mar. 30th, as part of its special celebration, and donated 300 cases of wahoo and $10.000 for the Flag Day celebration. Their parade walk included a float with Charlie the Tuna riding inside a boat, who disembarked in front of the grandstand with ‘fresh fish- tuna’ unloaded as a gift. It was noted that the majority of the workers are from Samoa, due to a worker shortage in American Samoa.

It looked like the Department of Public works had the largest turnout of ASG workers with over 200 walking, while perhaps the smallest was the Public Defenders Office composed of 5 staff members walking, with Criminal Justice walking with 6 members.

Marist Sevens Rugby Tournament teams from Samoa also walked. The games are scheduled to be played on Apr. 21 & 22 and are a part of the 2023 Flag Day celebrations. The Marist Sevens returns to the local scene after a hiatus of more than two years, and is being played under the theme — “Developing Rugby Beyond COVID-19.”

FAST from Samoa walked — a group comprising youth, they seem to be here on a ‘private’ Flag Day malaga and wanted to celebrate American Samoa’s Flag Day.

SOFIAS walked and rode in to represent the fafafines of American Samoa in the parade. Throwing kisses at the grandstand their presence was appreciated.

The American Red Cross walk included a float celebrating its 100th year in American Samoa, of which the governor is the honorary chair.

A special performance was given by the Marine military brass band after the last of the participants had walked before the grandstand.

The Ava ceremony followed, with the Siva & Pese performances entertaining the crowd.

(Samoa News will bring closing remarks and the awards ceremony in tomorrow’s edition due to time constraints for publication.)