Pacific

American Samoa marks 111th Flag Day

06:50 am on 18 April 2011

The Governor Togiola Tulafono has called on the people of American Samoa to improve on the heritage that their forefathers passed on to ensure a brighter future for tomorrow's generations.

Speaking at the 111th commemoration of the first raising of the United States flag on local soil, the governor paid tribute to the wisdom of the territory's forefathers who decided to cede the islands of Eastern Samoa to the United States.

The governor called on present generations to consider what their gift will be for future generations.

"It's our obligation to improve and to contribute to the heritage that we pass on to your and my children and that which they will inherit."

D ue to tight government finances, the celebration, which usually last two days, was scaled down to one day and no groups from Samoa or off island guests except for the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs were invited.