ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION IN SAMOA 2025

SAMOA, April 24 - KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio [25th April 2025]

Rev Mariota Siaea

Afioga ile Ao Mamalu ole Malo ma lau Masiofo

Your Excellencies High Commissioners of Australia and New

Zealand

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Every year at the break of dawn of 25 April, we come to

remember the sacrifices made by the hundreds of thousands of

New Zealanders, Australians and nationals of Pacific Island

countries including Samoa who fought in WW1, WW2 and other

subsequent conflicts.

Today we are all united in remembrance of their fight for our

freedom, independence and for our future as peaceful

communities. Let us not forget those who answered bravely the

call of their country and then fall in its name. We wear on our

hearts the poppy of remembrance.

In many ways, the ANZAC ideals go far deeper than war; it is

what makes one a patriot of one’s country. Despite the

devastation of war, we have learnt lessons from it. Our

knowledge of war defines who we are and where we draw our

boundaries. Even though many of us have not experienced war

first hand, we all understand the horror it results in.

Our hopes and prayers are that we will not experience watching

our children go to destinies unknown in this restless world we

no longer understand.

But for today and forever, let us never forget those who had

made the greatest contribution to ensure our security.

We will remember.

End

Photo by the Government of Samoa (Leota Marc Membrere)

May 22, 2025