Congressman Faleomavaega today expressed his greatest appreciation to Wentworth Military Academy and the local community and businesses in the surrounding area of the Academy that helped raise a grand total of $32,200 towards tsunami relief efforts in American Samoa. 

Upon receiving news of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit American Samoa last September, Superintendent Colonel Lierman and staff met with all of our American Samoan cadets.  They talked and prayed with them daily as the cadets awaited updates from their families and friends.  Like many organizations and community members across the nation, the Academy wanted to show their support for our cadets and contribute to the families affected by the disaster.

Colonel Lierman and his staff worked with the cadets as well as the local Samoan and Pacific Islander community to organize a luau fundraiser.  Many local companies and organizations also assisted and some of the funds were contributed to the families of the cadets while some went towards purchasing plane fares for the cadets to visit their families during Christmas.  The balance, $15,500, was donated recently to American Samoa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ASVOAD) which is under the chairmanship of Reverend Samuel Tialavea to help with ongoing relief efforts in the Territory.

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to Superintendant Colonel Lierman, President Colonel Sellers, faculty, staff, and administration at Wentworth Military Academy for their unending support for our American Samoan cadets.  I also thank the 130th Corps of Cadets, their families, and the community members from Lexington, Independence, and Kansas City who were very supportive of this event,” Faleomavaega stated.

“The devastation that struck our homeland last September affected Samoans around the world and I am very grateful for the caring educators at Wentworth Military Academy and community members who provided our cadets with much-needed emotional and spiritual support.  I also thank Colonel Lierman for taking the initiative to work with our cadets to organize a positive outlet and contribute towards relief efforts.  Wentworth Military Academy has truly become a second home to our young Samoan cadets, and I believe that the support they gave is something for which all Samoans, and Americans, can be thankful,” the Congressman concluded.