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.  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.  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 Tinā) 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.

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.

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 and to bring them home for a visit.  He took questions following his remarks. 

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. 

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 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.  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 Govenor and his traveling party left Texas on Monday, May 25th.