Amata visits friends and family in Killeen/Fort Hood Texas
May 13, 2007

Exclusive for Samoa News
by Aumua Amata

(Mother's Day 2007) - Well the trip got off to a bad start Friday morning. Despite my best intentions, the week was so crowded with events that I had no time to pack in advance and was up half the night doing so after the President's gala. After a short nap and final preparations, I woke my husband about 5 a.m. for the short, three-mile trip to National Airport.

One thing I learned from growing up in American Samoa and taking long journeys is how to sleep on a plane. So, I was really looking forward to settling back after our 6:10 a.m. takeoff and catching up what I missed during the night. Only, we didn't leave at 6:10 a.m. The plane had mechanical problems and by 7 a.m. they decided to cancel it altogether. Fortunately, they rebooked me on a 9 a.m. flight and with my husband so close by, I was able to leave the airport to go back through e-mail and start work on this story.

The 9 a.m. flight left on schedule and little was lost because I slept all the way to Dallas. Besides, I originally was scheduled for a three-hour layover before my flight to Killeen so this delay cut that layover dramatically and I was able to reconnect with my original schedule.

When I got to Killeen, family members were waiting to drive me to Abilene for my nephew Marshall Glenister's graduation. Abilene is a three-hour drive from Killeen. As I arrived his baccalaureate service was ending, but he was happy I had made it. That evening we gathered for dinner and went over the schedule for the next day's commencement ceremony.

Texas is a big, sprawling state and Texans think nothing of jumping in the car and driving long distances. On Saturday, following the graduation ceremony, we made the three hour return trip back to the Killeen/Ft. Hood area.

Today was Mother's Day. I was pleased to be able to attend a youth church service and was surprised to find that there are actually four Samoan churches in the Killeen area: 1. The LMS church on Ft. Hood pastored by Rev. Sasa; 2. the Second Samoan Assembly of God under the guidance of Rev. Ti'i; 3. the other Samoan Assembly of God church which was under the guidance of Rev. Hisatake before he passed away a couple of years ago. The fourth church is located in Copperas Cove, which is next door to Killeen. Because of time constraints I was unable to make it to all of the churches but I hope to visit with Samoan families in the Armed Forces tomorrow.

One of the favorite restaurants in the area is owned by Cora Langford of Fagatogo who runs it with her family. I am told they have the most amazing Samoan/Hawaiian mix of food and of course, it a big hit in Killeen. Samoans eat there every day.

I am scheduled to return to Washington tomorrow night. This next week is another one packed with activities because it is the key week of activities as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. There are workshops, a gala on Tuesday evening, congressional briefings and a White House briefing. And, as I mentioned last week, also an ROTC commissioning ceremony with the President on Thursday at which American Samoa will be represented by Valasi Marlena Lancaster Morgan. I will be reporting to you on all these activities.

As always, I would love to hear from you at aumuaamata@mail.com. Please write.

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