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WWII bomb officer joins Veterans Day rites
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Posted on Nov 10 2008
A Bomb Wing officer of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Anthony Praxel, is joining today’s Veterans Day ceremonies at the American Memorial Park.
Ruth A. Coleman, executive officer of the Military and Veterans Affairs Office, said that Praxel was with the 9th Bomb Group, 313th Bomb Wing, 99 squadron on Tinian.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Tom will be joining Praxel at the ceremonies, which will start at 11am at the Court of Honor.
Coleman, along with JROTC Cadet Major Olivia Serrano, will be the mistress of ceremonies.
The Saipan Southern High School’s JROTC cadets and Manta Ray Battalion will be posting the different flags of the 51 states of the U.S. and its territories, including the CNMI.
This would be followed by the singing of the U.S. National Anthem and CNMI Anthem by the Pacific Winds Concert Band and an invocation by Pastor Clifford Shoemake. AMP Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum will deliver the opening remarks.
Tom, the chief of staff of the U.S. Pacific Command based in Hawaii, will speak after Fitial delivers his welcome address.
Fitial, along with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3457 Commander Mariano G. Fajardo and first lady Josie Fitial, will be leading the presentation of medallions to veterans attending the ceremonies.
After the 21-gun salute, Fitial and Tom will join all the veterans in the laying of wreaths.
The Pacific Winds Concert Band Buglers will end the ceremony with the playing of taps.
The Veterans Day Committee, in a statement, urges the public to come out and join in the celebration honoring those brave patriots who served with unwavering dedication and purpose, sacrificing personal comforts to keep the world safe and “securing the freedom we enjoy today.”
