Aumua Meets with U.S. Veterans in Samoa
Apia –Sunday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, met with United States Veterans who reside in Independent Samoa, to hear some of the issues that affect them and how Congress can help.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata with several members of the U.S. Veterans of Samoa
“Due to the large number of veterans who live in Samoa, I felt it was necessary to pay them a visit, to see what Congress can do to ensure that we are meeting our obligations to our veterans, no matter where they may live,” said Amata.
Representatives from the Congresswoman’s district office in Pago Pago reached out to Mark J. Moors, President of the U.S. Veterans of Samoa, an organization dedicated to outreach for U.S. Veterans living in Samoa, to organize the meeting which took place last week in Apia. Upon their meeting, Mark explained that practically his entire family is also veterans: Father: Harry W. Moors (US Army), and Brothers: Harry J. Moors (US Navy), Oliver B. Moors (US Air Force), Frank H. Moors (US Army), Mark J. Moors (US Air Force), John R. Moors (US Army).
After brief introductions, the Congresswoman shared some of the discussion she had with Bob McDonald, the Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs, including her office’s efforts to enable U.S. National and Non-Immigrant Veterans to apply for Citizenship through her District Office in Pago Pago. To date the program has already had its first few veterans receive U.S. Citizen status, with many more soon to follow. The Congresswoman also touched on her efforts to expand and improve the level of care available at LBJ, to include veterans. Currently, LBJ does not meet VA standards, thereby forcing those veterans who live in American Samoa, and Independent Samoa to travel to Hawaii for treatment that requires hospital level care.
The U.S. Veterans of Samoa, whose membership includes: Fridtjof “Kiofu” P. Nansen, Hans J. Keil, Adolf H. Arp, Berger Nu’usa, Vainupo Nu’usa, Richard F. Keil, Kitiona Faumui, Talamesi Fitisemanu, Suapi Fraser, Jeff Hunter, Joseph Tafua, John Pedro, Siaki Leota, Leasuasu Gafatasi Young, Don Kruse, Wilson Stanley, Taoafitu Petaia, Jack Winn, Bob Schnautz, Lusi Fraser Jr., Teni Seiuli, Lapana Su’a, Robert Patrick Oswald, Tanuvasa, Sao Sulali Aifala Ena, Herman Bartley, Luaiva Tui Fualaau, Bishop Asuao Williams, Mike Wilkins, David, Sailala Gaopoa, Anulf Keil, Benjamin Steffany, R.J. Ross III, Tui Faalogo, Lee Latui, Meapelo Frost, Papu Toleafoa, Saunoa Liva, and Faatui Taliulu, shared some of the issues that they are most concerned with including, funerals for U.S. Veterans in Samoa, the inability of veterans who reside in Samoa, to get access to VA personnel when they travel from Hawaii to American Samoa, and Military Airlift Command (MAC) flights for veterans services. The Congresswoman assured the veterans that their concerns were heard, and that she would address any and all she could in Washington.
“As the Representative of American Samoa, and knowing that those veterans who reside in Independent Samoa have no representation in Congress, I want to extend my office’s assistance to them, and want to ensure them that their service to our nation has not been forgotten, and that the United States fulfills its obligations to these veterans who have served with honor,” concluded Amata.
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