Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Some of the men and women who fought and served to protect our great America! Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of American Samoa Post 3391 celebrated Independence Day with a flag raising ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Center at the Industrial Park early Monday morning on July 4th.

They then gathered at their hang out spot behind the VA Office to prepare an umu and feast and to share stories and celebrate a holiday they all helped in creating and preserving.

(Front row, l-r) US Army Veteran/VFW Adjutant Pita Faamuli; US Navy Vet/VFW Post Community Chair Talofa Lei; US Army Vet/VFW Post Trustee Paulava Malala; US Army Ret. Sgt 1st Class/VFW Post Quarter Master Igafo Maria Vaa; US Marine Veteran/VFW Post 3391 Commander Togotogo Potumoe Sotoa; US Army Vet/VFW Post Officer of the Day Owen Savusa; and US Army Ret. Lt. Col./VFW Post 3391 Jr. V. CDR Mapu Jamias.

(Back row, l-r) US Army Vet/VFW Post Trustee Anthony Fuga; US Army Ret. Staff Sgt./VFW Post Judge Advocate Paulo Silao and US Marine Ret. Cmd. Sgt. Maj./VFW Post Media Chairman Palaita Tuispasi Suiaunoa.