Political Quotes

“I rise today to honor our fallen heroes and to pay tribute to our current military men and women who are serving our Nation in a time of war. I especially want to thank American Samoa's warriors for the sacrifices they have made so that you and I and future generations may live in peace. American Samoa's sons and daughters have served in record number in every U.S. military engagement from WWII to present operations in our war against terrorism. Our active duty service members are also serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In March of this year, over 65 soldiers from American Samoa's Army Reserve Unit were deployed to Iraq and recently we received word that other units from American Samoa will soon follow. Last year, American Samoa lost two young warriors to the war in Iraq. In August 2003, SPC Farao Kevin Letufuga died in Mosul, Iraq and it was with heavy hearts that CSM Iuniasolua Savusa and I accompanied his body home. Specialist Letufuga served as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He is the son of Mr. Fetineia'i and Siniva Letufuga of Aoloau, American Samoa. On October 27, 2003, PVT Jonathan I. Falaniko was killed in Baghdad, Iraq in a rocket propelled grenade attack. Twenty-year-old Jonathan Falaniko had been in the U.S. Army for less than 6 months. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, in May 2003 and was deployed to Iraq in August 2003.”