Tafuna High School JROTC unveils “Wall of Honor”

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA – In a solemn and heartfelt ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Center on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025, the Tafuna High School JROTC unveiled a Wall of Honor dedicated to the 13 brave sons and daughter of American Samoa who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

The emotional tribute, led by Task Force Commander Cadet Colonel Ladenia Lavata'i, was attended by Governor Pula'ali'i Nikolao Iuli Tuiteleleapaga Pula, First Lady Lois Phillips Pula, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata, veterans, military families, and community members.

Governor Pula'ali'i Nikolao Pula with First Lady Lois Phillips celebrated Memorial Day attending the unveiling of a Wall of Honor at the at the Veterans Memorial Center on Monday, May 26, 2025. They are seen viewing the Wall of Honor and reflecting on the lives behind the names that are on the memorial. [Courtesy photo]

The project was made possible through the support of key leaders, including Office of Veterans and Military Affairs Director Pava Malologa Lagai and Deputy Director Arriana Auva’a, who championed the Wall of Honor’s placement, and DOE Director Maefau Dr. Mary Taufete’e, Deputy Director Roxanne Salavea, and Assistant Director of Secondary Division Dr. Dottie Tuisamatatele, whose commitment to student leadership paved the way for this historic tribute.

The project, part of the JROTC's annual Service Learning Project, was born from a desire to create a lasting memorial for local service members who died in theater during a military campaign.

“We discovered that there was no central place in American Samoa where these heroes were collectively honored,” said Lavata'i during her address. “That realization inspired us to take action.”

A JOURNEY OF REMEMBRANCE AND RESPECT

Beginning in September 2024, 25 cadets embarked on extensive research, using official sources such as the Defense Casualty Analysis System and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to identify the fallen.

Through fundraising efforts, the cadets raised $10,000 to bring their vision to life, collaborating with the American Samoa Government's Office of Veterans and Military Affairs to house the Wall of Honor and AllStar Signs to design and install the memorial.

The Wall of Honor now stands as a permanent fixture at the Veterans Memorial Center, ensuring that the sacrifices of these 13 service members, who perished in Iraq and Afghanistan, are never forgotten.

HONORING THE FALLEN

During the ceremony, Lavata'i read aloud each name, rank, and the operation in which they fell, pausing for a moment of silence. Among those honored were:

●     Specialist Farao Kevin Letufuga, US Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Died in Mosul, Iraq Aug 2003

●     Private Jonathon Ioakimo Falaniko, US Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Killed in Action Oct 2003

●     Staff Sergeant Salamo Tuialu’ulu’u, US Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Killed in Action Dec 2004

●     Sergeant Tina Safaira Time, US Army Reserve, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Died during a collision in Iraq Dec 2004

●     Staff Sergeant Ioasa F Tava’e Jr, US Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Killed in Action Apr 2005

●     Staff Sergeant Frank Taga Tiai, US Army Reserve, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Killed in Action July 2005

●     Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Sifoa Loa, US Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Died of Wounds Received in Action Aug 2006

●     Sergeant Raymond S Sevaaetasi, US Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Died of wounds received in Action Apr 2007

●     Private First Class Timothy Ray Vimoto, US Army, Operation Enduring Freedom, Died of wounds received in Action Jun 2007

●     Sergeant Lui Tumanuvao, US Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Died of wounds received in Action Nov 2007

●     Lieutenant Colonel Max Galea’i, US Marine Corps, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Killed in Action June 2008

●     Staff Sergeant Loleni Gandy, US Army Reserve, Passed in Iraq on Nov 2010 while serving in Operation New Dawn

●     First Lieutenant Jason Togi, US Army, Operation Enduring Freedom, Died of wounds received in Action Aug 2013

The cadets also compiled personal stories of each hero, displayed alongside their names, ensuring their legacies extend beyond statistics.

GRATITUDE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Lavata'i expressed deep appreciation for the mentors and leaders who supported the project, including THS Principal Tutuila Togilau, JROTC instructors Major Si'imoa Galoia, MSG Acania Puletasi, and SFC Lei Solaita, who helped guide them from planning to the final stages of execution.

Task Force Commander Cadet Colonel Ladenia Lavata'i in front of the Tafuna High School Service Learning Project, 'Toa o Amerika Samoa — Wall of Honor — after it was unveiled during a ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Center on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025. [Courtesy photo]

A PROMISE TO NEVER FORGET

The ceremony closed with an invitation for attendees to view the memorial and reflect on the lives behind the names.

“This project is more than a wall," Lavata'i said. "It is a promise that we will remember, we will honor, and we will never forget.”

For the families of the fallen, the Wall of Honor stands as a symbol of enduring gratitude, a place where their loved ones' courage is forever enshrined in the heart of American Samoa.