THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 89 Tony Greubel about an hour before showtime. “Sure!” After that, rumors of a possible Secretary of State visit to dedicate the new embassy swirled for weeks. We kept one eye out for news on that, while experts worked on getting communication and cable systems up and running. The word finally came down that Secretary Antony Blinken would stop in Tonga on his way to the Australia-U.S. Ministerial in Australia and the Women’s World Cup soccer match. Good, game on! As overall control officer, I had a few things to worry about, like getting the armored car into port and cleared through customs. Same with Tyson, the sniffer dog. Did Tyson need a diplomatic note for tarmac access? Too late now! The one thing I didn’t worry about was the grand opening. I had seen Chargé Voyles’ rehearsal, and the program was tight, moving, and featured the flag prominently. The highlight was the national anthem sung by Tongan American NFL football player turned opera star Ta'u Pupu'a. The grand ceremonial opening was truly memorable. b You might think that after the Secretary of State presides over the grand ceremonial opening with Tonga’s Crown Prince, the embassy would be well and truly open. But there will be one more opening celebration. Just like you expect a hamburger when a McDonald’s opens, you expect a visa, or at least a chance for one, when an embassy opens. Visa adjudications will start in Nuku`alofa once the people, security, and computers are installed. I hope there will be an ambassador in place then to raise a glass to OBO, EAP, Embassy Suva, the Peace Corps … and maybe all the pirates at sea. n Tongan traditional dancers during celebrations of the new embassy on Aug. 2, 2023. TOM ARMBRUSTER From left: Lieutenant Chris White (U.S. Coast Guard instructor), Halima “Bibi” Voyles (chargé d’affaires), Tom Armbruster (senior adviser, U.S. embassy), Corporal Vasiti Latu (Tongan Navy) perform a Coast Guard training run on Aug. 12, 2023. U.S. COAST GUARD 3. TREAT THE FLAG LIKE A VIP GUEST Take care of the flag, and you are halfway home. No one takes better care of the flag than the U.S. military. We were fortunate to have the U.S. Army’s Oceania Engagement Team on the ground in Tonga. Major Jimmy Kow and Sergeant Alavoni “TK” Tukunga took care of raising and “marching on the colors” of the flag at the congressional opening, the soft opening, and the ceremonial opening. 4. BE PREPARED FOR MORE THAN ONE OPENING EAP Executive Director Ann Marie Everitt managed to get the congressional notification approved for a May 9, 2023, official opening. It was a simple affair. We were a handful of Americans, a couple of guards, and Peace Corps Country Director Kris Stice and his family. We raised the flag early in the morning to a beautiful violin rendition of the national anthem played by Stice’s wife, Lindy. After that opening, I had the honor and privilege to raise the flag most mornings, which I loved. On May 10, we had our “soft opening” with the Foreign Ministry and about 60 guests. The real highlight was U.S. Sergeant Tukunga. TK’s family moved from Tonga to Hawaii to build a better life for their kids. Her father was a stone mason; her mother cleaned houses. They worked hard for their kids, and TK is repaying the favor, serving in the U.S. Army and doing her family proud. TK speaks Tongan and was invaluable throughout the opening. I ran the idea of presenting the flag that flew for the congressional opening to TK by Deputy Chief of Mission
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