The Fort Hood Samoan community hosted Governor Togiola and First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono during the Memorial Day weekend.  This trip was a long time in planning and the community was excited to host the Governor and his travelling party, which included military liaison Filipo Ilaoa as well as Captain Pati Fano, head of the Governor’s security detail.

They were greeted at the airport on Friday by leaders of the Congregational Christian Church – Ft. Hood.  A welcome dinner was held that evening hosted by the church.  Rev. Menise Sasa, pastor of the church, gave opening remarks.  Vaiaga’e Vaiaga’e, from Alao, spoke on behalf of the church and offered traditional greetings for the Governor.  Lay Minister Leasina Lefotu, of Aoloau, offered a prayer before the meal.  The Governor spoke and said that he had wanted to visit Ft. Hood for a long time, but this was the first time his schedule permitted and was especially excited that he was able to spend Memorial Day weekend with the Toa of Samoa and the rest of the community in Ft Hood.

Saturday was a day filled with activities for both the Governor and First Lady.  It began with a morning call to the commanding general of Ft. Hood and III Corps, Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch.  Following the meeting, the Governor was able to relax a little and get in some exercise with a round of golf.  Accompanying the Governor on his golf outing were local players Eteuati Le’iato of Faga’itua, To’oto’o Maugaotega of Afono and Vaiaga’e Vaiaga’e.  Following the round of golf, the Governor and First Lady had lunch at the residence of Fa’afetai Nanai of Petesa.  He and his four children hosted the lunch.  His wife, SSG Tinei Nanai of Petesa, is on her second deployment to Iraq.  The Governor and First Lady had the opportunity to find out first hand some of the difficulties families go through while spouses are deployed. 

After lunch, the First Lady attended a get together with the Women’s Fellowship (Mafutaga a Tin_) hosted by Mrs. Pelenatete Fai’ai of Auto.  Her husband, recently retired, is currently a contractor in Iraq.  Everyone but one of the women at the gathering was either a military retiree, a retiree’s spouse, a spouse of an active duty member, or a mother of a military personnel.

 At the gathering, the First Lady asked if any of the community members’ children have chosen to join the Army.  Tin- Fa’avaefou Sasa shared that members of our the Ft. Hood community have children who have chosen to join the military, but not just the army:  Edwin Hernandez, Jasmin Hernandez, Truman Silivelio, Peterana Liua, and Jennifer Hutton - U.S. Army; Jean Semaia and Sharon Hernandez Jone - U.S. Navy, Derek Falefia - U.S. Marines, and Angie Vaiaga’e - U.S. Air Force.

The Mafutaga a Tin_ had the opportunity to learn about what a day is like in the life of a First Lady.  The First Lady shared with the group some of the projects, programs and initiatives on which she has been and is working.  She spoke on how Vf those some of these are very dear to her heart as they deal with Samoan soldiers, their children and their families.  She shared and spoke at length about one of her programs, Ta’ita’itama, and the progress it is making.

The final event of the day was a cook out hosted by the active duty soldiers at Belton Lake.  The soldiers prepared a traditional Samoan feast, including a pig and sapasui and fa’i.  The barbque was going all day long.  SSG Samasoni Lele’a of Onenoa spoke on behalf of the soldiers and their families to welcome the Governor.  He said they were deeply touched and honored that the Governor took time out of his schedule and came all the way to Texas to visit them.  A prayer was offered by Lay Minister Tamaalemalo Liufau of Aua to bless the food.

At the end of the meal, the Governor gave his remarks and told the group how appreciative they were for the hospitality.  He encouraged the Toa o Samoa to teach their children Samoan and their culture.  He asked them to bring the children home so they could feel the soil of the land of their ancestors.  He took questions following his remarks.  There were many questions pertaining to military issues, health care as well as immigration and population issues.  The evening ended with the singing of Lota Nu’u and a prayer by Lay Minister Lefotu.

On Sunday, the church communities of Texas held a combined service led by Rev. Menise Sasa.  The congregations from San Antonio and Arlington joined the Ft. Hood church and other churches from Killeen.  The service began with the posting of the colors by a special Samoan color guard.  It was led by SFC Hector Siaosi of Vatia, SGT Ray Pasay of Tafuna and SGT Junior Ioane of Malaeloa.  The national anthem was sung by the Ft. Hood Worship Team while the American Samoa anthem was sung by the Arlington choir.   The prayer was offered by Rev. Tony Na’otala of the San Antonio church, while the scripture was read by Rev. Perenise Taito of Arlington and Pator Neil Silao of the Body of Christ Church in Killeen.  The meditation was given by Dr. Isakara Sataraka, founder of Good Samaritan Church. 

There was a special presentation given by the mayor of the city of Killeen, Tim Hancock, to the Governor.  He presented Gov. Tulafono with a key to the city and was made him an honorary citizen of Killeen, TX. 

In his remarks, the Governor told the capacity crowd how happy he was to be in Texas.  His theme was on service or tautua.  He encouraged all Samoans to strive to serve in whatever capacity they could, whether serving in the military or other occupations.  He advised to never forget about Samoa and that their families back home are praying for them.  He shared that the territory holds a prayer vigil every month for the Toa o Samoa.

 The service concluded with a special tribute to the soldiers.  They were called to the front of the church.  Rev. Sasa asked everyone to observe a moment of silence for all the soldiers who had given their lives for our freedom.  Special recognition was given to the seventeen Samoan soldiers who died during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Ft. Hood choir sang Tama Samoa in honor of the fallen soldiers. 

Following the service, the Governor and First Lady, escorted by SSG Fanuae’e Molia of Nu’uuli, visited the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.  The memorial recognizes all the soldiers from Ft. Hood who have died in the current conflicts.  Two of the soldiers are of Samoan ancestry, SGT Raymond Seva’aetasi and SPC. David To’omalatai.  It was a moving time as the leader of our territory touched etched the photos and names of the two Toa o Samoa on the memorial. 

The day concluded with a traditional to’ana’I.  Traditional foods were prepared like taro, fasi povi, pua’a and sapasui.  At the conclusion of the toa’ana’I, the churches of the Fale Tolu presented the Governor with traditional sua and gifts.  Deacons Vaiaga’e and Tala Taito of Aoloau spoke on behalf of the Fale Tolu.  Families also presented gifts to the Governor and special guest speaker Dr. Sataraka. 

One of the lighter moments of the fellowship was when the Mafutaga a Tina presented matching cowboy hats to the Governor and First Lady.  The Governor commented that he had always imagined himself as John Wayne from watching movies when he was younger.  Now with his hat, his dream had come true.  Filipo Ilaoa spoke on behalf of the Governor and offered traditional thanks for the hospitality.  The toana’i ended with a prayer of blessings offered by Rev. Taito. 

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