American Samoa Veterans join ANZAC Day Celebration in Apia

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 26 APRIL 2023: It was the first time the American Samoa US veterans have participated in the celebration of the Australia & New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day celebrations in Apia.

Marine veteran Palaita Tusipasi Saunoa told Talamua that American Samoa used to celebrate the day in the past but have not done so in many years.

“This is an opportunity for us to be part of a prestigious event in celebrating the service and the legacy of our forefathers who served in past wars,” said Palaita.

He acknowledged the Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio who is also the President of the Return Servicemen Association (RSA).

Tuala recently accompanied the Head of State to American Samoa’s Flag Day and spoke with the Governor regarding the ANZAC event.

“The Governor, who is a veteran himself wanted to send a delegation of veterans from American Samoa as representative to the event,” said Palaita.

He said the ANZAC Day is similar to America’s Veteran Day which is celebrated in November, and being part of the ANZAC celebration was an honor.

“The services rendered by soldiers and servicemen of any country is considered the highest honor especially at the risk of not returning to their loved ones,” said Palaita who served in the US Marine for 30 years and retired in 2003.

He said being part of the dawn celebration was a moving and touching experience for him as he watched dignitaries laid wreath after wreath at the foot of the Town Clock war memorial.

US Veterans Rosie Fualaau Tago Lancaster & Loa Tuimavave Tauapa’i Laupola who is also the Chief of Staff for the American Samoa Government paying their respects.

ANZAC as a reminder for peace
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa delivered the keynote address and said that ANZAC celebration was not for glorification but for solemn reflection and to remind us of peace.

“We must not forget how the peace and freedoms we enjoy were won on all fronts and the magnanimity of the sacrifices made,” she said.

While in her official visit to Australia, she laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and also in New Zealand. She also acknowledged the contingent of war veterans from American Samoa.

“While the ANZAC legend was born on the shores of a country far from our own, it has become part of our shared histories. ANZAC Day provides us with a reminder of the close and enduring links between Samoa and its Pacific neighbours working in close cooperation and collaboration to ensure that we can co-exist in a region of peace, security and stability,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa paying her respects.

She acknowledged that the ANZAC spirit lives on in the work of those servicemen and women currently involved in operations overseas including United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian missions.

“Though small in number, Samoa is proud to acknowledge its UN peacekeepers in Afghanistan, South Sudan and the Golan Heights to name a few and let us also take this time to reflect on the families and communities who have loved ones currently deployed on operations,” she said.

She reminded all that ANZAC Day is an occasion for everyone to reflect on how the peace and freedoms enjoy were won.

“As we consider the enormity of the sacrifice made, let us remember that their true and lasting legacy is the freedoms that we continue to enjoy to this day. We must therefore not let despair be our tribute to them,” she said.

Bagpiper Travis Lamb playing the Last Post before the wreaths laying at the second War Memorial. as the war veterans from American Samoa paid attention.

The bagpipers call
As with the ANZAC celebration tradition, the Last Post is a bugle call presented by a police officer before the solemn wreath laying ceremony.

Yesterday for the first time, Travis Lamb played the second bugle call on a bagpipe as wreaths were laid on the second war memorial infront of the Post Office.

ANZAC Day is no longer a public holiday in Samoa and the memorial event ended with the traditional breakfast at the RSA headquarters.