Amata Attends CODEL to Ft. Jackson, SC
Washington, D.C. –Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, and Congressman Joe Wilson took time over the past weekend to visit the soldiers at Ft. Jackson, S.C. The Congresswoman and Congressman were there to join the soldiers and the local Pacific Islander community in celebrating Guam Liberation Day.
(PHOTOS:Above first: Congresswoman Amata speaks to the officers of the Pacific Islanders Association of Columbia SC., and Congressman Joe Wilson and his wife Roxanne during the welcoming dinner. Second: Congresswoman Amata with some of the American Samoan recruits and their Drill Sergeant Christopher Fielding.)
“It is an honor to be invited to join these soldiers in celebrating one of the happiest events of World War II, the liberation of Guam,” said Amata. “Many brave Pacific Islander men and women took part in the liberation, along with the U.S. Marines, who landed on Guam on July 21st 1944, ending the three year occupation by the Japanese. I could not think of a more fitting place and people to be with to celebrate that historic event,” continued Amata.
Many Samoans from across the region, both active duty and retired military attended the celebration, and the Congresswoman was able to spend some quality time meeting with the soldiers and their families.
“It always brings a smile to my face when I see large groups of our people here in the sates,” said Amata. “I am able to meet so many new friends, who share that bond that we as Samoans have, as well as meet old friends who I haven’t seen in many years like Paulo Momosea and his wife Dorothy, who I met in Germany when I was the Guest Speaker for the U.S. Army’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebrationback in 2008,” stated the Congresswoman.
While there, the Congresswoman also visited with the new recruits going through Basic Training, including some of Samoas own, and received a briefing on the training they get, from their Battalion Commander, LTC Moyes. The new Toa o Samoa Army recruits included, H.S. Auva'a of Malaeloa, Lilian Leuma Crawley of Laulii, Pemila Kevin Young of Tafuna, Sa Liza Tina of Asili, Miracle James Lotonoamoni Maae of Nuuuli, Gideon Joshua Le'iato of Aua, Timothy Ernest Kilpatrick, Austin Kealii Espejo, as well as Drill Sergeant Christopher Fielding, and his wife Cristy Va'a Fielding.
“I want to thank my military escort U.S. Army Captain James Gallagher, all of the soldiers and their families, and especially my colleague Joe Wilson, whose district includes Ft. Jackson,” said Amata.
“These soldiers and their families sacrifice so much for our freedom and way of life, and it was a pleasure and honor to join in their celebration of the Liberation of Guam. May God continue to bless them, their families, American Samoa, and the United States,” concluded Amata.
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