SSG Manglona remembered in Hawaii

[B]HONOLULU, Hawaii[/B]—The Rear Detachment for the 100th Batallion/442nd Infantry, together with the Veterans of the 100th/442nd conducted a solemn memorial ceremony for Staff Sgt. Julian Manglona of Echo Company, 100th/442nd in Honolulu, Hawaii on the evening of Oct. 15, 2008, at the 100th Battalion Veterans’ Lounge/Clubhouse.

Shortly before the 7pm start time, soldiers and veterans clad in Class A uniforms, ACUs and civilian clothes began filing into the Clubhouse as the bagpiper started playing the military taps. Also in attendance were friends, family, and supporters who came to share in the loss of a soldier, a husband, a father and a brother.

Capt. John Colburn, the Rear Detachment commander, delivered touching remarks and reminisced on his memories of the dedicated soldier he came to know in Manglona’s first deployment in 2004. Colburn said that Manglona “served with distinction and valor by always placing the mission first, never accepting defeat, and never leaving a fallen comrade.”

Following the remarks and the scripture reading, soldiers and veterans of the 100th/442nd gathered around the memorial display of the rifle, helmet, and boots along with Manglona’s photograph. As each soldier placed their hands on the memorial, they began to sing the battalion’s “Go For Broke” song in a final farewell to their departed brother in arms.

After the dedication song, it was time to conduct what’s known as the “Last Roll Call.” As the names of several soldiers were called, each one rose from their seat to declare their presence. Then Manglona’s name was called. The room was silent and several were seen close to tears. With a louder voice, a soldier called out, “Staff Sgt. Julian Manglona?”

With no response, the soldier called out in an even louder voice, “Staff Sgt. Julian Francis Manglona?”

This time, with no response, the Honor Guard raised their firearms and performed the 21-gun salute in honor of their comrade and brother. This was followed by the playing of taps. Soon after, the soldiers and veterans marched to the memorial display to render their final salute. When they were done, the rest of the community was given an opportunity to pay their respects at the memorial.

At this time, representatives of Manglona’s homeland in the Northern Marianas Islands gathered in front of the memorial to offer a prayer in their own Chamorro language. In attendance were Marianas Hawaii Medical Referral coordinator Angel A. Demapan (also of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th BSTB), Medical Referral staffer Margaret S. McQuay, Capt. Clarence Tenorio and Sgt. Joellene Abadam of the 1101st GSU Det 24, CNMI residents Susana Mafnas and Blas Mafnas. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]