Saipan Tribune

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Thursday, November 12, 2009

'So much owed by so many to so few'

Only about 1 percent of Americans serve in the military but the effect these few individuals have on the nation's freedom and democracy reminds U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel J. Settergren of the words of Winston Churchill: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Settergren, commander of the 36th Contingency Response Group at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, was the keynote speaker in yesterday's Veterans Day 2009 ceremony at the American Memorial Park in Garapan.

He quoted a portion of Churchill's speech delivered at the height of the Battle of Britain on Aug. 20, 1940, when he was prime minister of the United Kingdom.

A first time Saipan visitor, Settergren saluted brave men and women for their military service.

“Fortunately, among Americans, the Saipanese level of commitment is unusually high,” he said.

The CNMI has more than 1,200 veterans, including reservists. After reservists are called to duty, they are considered veterans, according to Ruth Coleman, executive officer of the CNMI Military and Veterans Affairs Office.

There are also over 350 military active duty members from the CNMI, which has an estimated population of 50,000. They are serving in the five branches of the U.S. military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Dream

Many more young CNMI residents want to join the military. Among them is Kelsey Sablan, 17, a junior student at Saipan Southern High School.

“I want to join the U.S. Air Force and become a pilot. It's always been my dream and I want to accomplish it,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune in an interview after the ceremony.

She said her brother, Raymond, of the Marine Corps, has also inspired her to reach for her dreams.

Vietnam War veteran Frank Cepeda, in an interview, said special forces should be used more in the ongoing wars. “The mode of fighting is not conventional in Iraq and Afghanistan. What we're fighting now should be tasked to special forces like Green Berets,” said Cepeda, 68, a former Green Beret himself.

Patriots

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, in his remarks, said for more than 200 years, America has always been blessed with patriots who have proudly stepped forward, ready to fight and, if necessary, to die to ensure that liberty is defended.

“To those on guard today, and to the veterans of every war on whose shoulders they stand-the living, the departed, and the missing-you have our deepest gratitude for your service and your sacrifice,” he said.

The Northern Marianas played a major role in ending World War II. It was during the Battle of Saipan, from June 15 to July 9, 1944, that the U.S. 2nd Marine Division, 4th Marine Division, and 27th Infantry Division defeated the 43rd Division of the Imperial Japanese Army.

It was also on the island of Tinian where the atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima took off, hastening the end of the war.

'Honoring veterans'

Settergren told the crowd to take time to acknowledge veterans to honor their bravery and sacrifices.

“You have taken a significant step by being here today. There are more ways we can do this,” he said.

Among other things, he said, veterans need compassion and support as many of them are wounded physically and psychologically.

“Along these lines, I am heartened by Secretary of Veterans Affairs' [Eric] Shinseki's recent pledge of more than $3 billion to get homeless veterans off our nation's streets. But our local Veterans Affairs offices and village mayors could also use more volunteers. Simply showing you care could tip the balance in a veteran's life,” he said.

Settergren said community members can also help maintain veteran cemeteries, and support the families of those currently serving in the military.

“For many of our deployed men and women, just knowing their families are receiving assistance back home can bring reassurance and peace of mind,” he said.

Local businesses, he said, should also be thanked for selflessly allowing their valuable employees to serve the nation and give them a job to come back to once they return home.

“Their sacrifice is a cornerstone of the effectiveness of our Guard and Reserve forces,” he added.

B-52 flyover

At 11:30am, Settergren paused for a few moments for the crowd to see a B-52 flyover, courtesy of the 36th Wing out of Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered, strategic bomber operated by the U.S. Air Force since 1955.

“For all veterans here today, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. I share the pride you feel in kinship with that 1 percent serving the greatest military in the world. Like a fine piece of ifit in the hands of a master carver, our shared service has shaped and joined us. The camaraderie we share in the military stays with us all our lives,” he said, adding that the time he has spent as a member of the U.S. Air Force is the best of his life.

Hospitality

In an interview after the ceremony, Settergren said Saipan's hospitality “is absolutely overwhelming.”

“Everyone I've met has been so kind to me. And I really appreciate that. And I definitely want to come back here again,” said Settergren, who has been in the U.S. Air Force since 1985.

He also noted Saipan as a “very clean island.”

“I know it's tough when you live on a small island with limited resources. It's tough to keep everything looking as nice as you have been able to do it here so I really appreciate it and I hope to come back here again and spend some time getting to know the community a little bit better and see the island sights before I leave Guam,” he added.

In full force

Pacific Winds Concert Band provided music at the ceremony, while Saipan Southern High School's JROTC cadets posted and retired the colors. Fr. Ryan Jimenez of Mount Carmel Cathedral led the invocation. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3457 was also in full force at the ceremony.

Barbara Alberti, superintendent of the War in the Pacific National Historic Park, delivered the opening remarks.

Park ranger Nancy Kelchner of the American Memorial Park recognized the veterans by going around the ceremony area to ask veterans and service members about the branch of military they served or serving.

This was followed by the wreath-laying led by Settergren and Fitial, along with veterans and service members.

Coleman, who delivered the closing remarks, said “the beauty of Veterans Day is that we take the time to remember and thank those who have defended us, or stood ready to do so, while they are still with us.”

“On this Veterans Day, let us join together to honor those who made our freedom possible and let us continue to work every day of the year to provide veterans and the benefits and care they so richly deserve,” she added.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP), who also attended the ceremony, said the Veterans Outreach Clinic on Saipan will open in December.

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