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US admiral to lead Memorial Day observance
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Posted on May 28 2006
The commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas and Navy Region Marianas will be the keynote speaker in today’s Memorial Day ceremony in Susupe.
Rear Admiral Charles J. Leidig Jr., the U.S. Pacific Defense representatives to Guam, the CNMI, Federal States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau will grace the ceremony at the Susupe Civic Center.
Leidig, a decorated naval official, assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Marianas and Navy Region Marianas in June 2005. He came to Guam from Annapolis, Maryland where he served as commandant of the United States Naval Academy.
The Memorial ceremony will begin at 9am. Wreaths will be offered in honor of the men and women who died in military service for their country.
Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez will also pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. He will speak on behalf of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who has been off island since Thursday.
Only a few months ago, Saipan lost two local reservists in bomb attacks in Iraq. They were Sgt. Wilgene Lieto, 28, and Army Specialist Jeff Derrence Jack, 32. The two were with Company E, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry which was deployed to Iraq in January 2005.
In related news, the Okinawa-Micronesi Repatriation Association returns to the Commonwealth to pay respects to Okinawan soldiers and civilians who perished during World War II.
The Nanyo Gunto Okinawa Memorial Ceremony will held 10am at the Tower of Okinawa in Marpi.
The Micronesia Repatriation Association, led by Choken Ginoza, has brought hundreds of pilgrims to Saipan for over 30 years to participate in the annual memorial ceremony.
