NEWS BRIEFS May 23, 2009

The Office of Military/Veterans Affairs and the Memorial Day Committee are reminding the public to come, celebrate and honor the brave men and women who served with unwavering dedication and purpose and paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep the world safe, and secure the freedom we enjoy today.

Memorial Day ceremony will be at the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on Monday, May 25, at 9am. The Pacific Winds Concert Band will begin with the pre-ceremonial music at 8:30am. Keynote speaker will be Rear Adm. William French, Commander Naval Forces Marianas and Navy Region. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Marpi closed off Friday next week[/B]

The Marpi area will be closed off on May 29, 2009, from 12pm to 3pm for the detonation operation that will be jointly conducted by the Department of Public Safety, the Emergency Management Office, and the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment Marianas.

The general location of activity will be at the Laderan Laggun Cliff Line (a mile north of Marpi landfill). The grid coordinates is 15 degrees, 16.11 minutes 0.0865 seconds North and 145 degrees, 49 minutes 0.3313 seconds East and 5,000 feet above sea level.

The only area that will not be closed off will be Suicide Cliff, which will be the main viewing point for the detonation. Public access to Suicide Cliff—particularly for tour and dive operators, farmers, joggers and bikers—is allowed only through the road leading up to the Far East Broadcasting antenna for viewing purposes. DPS will set security posts to enforce and control traffic movement for safety purposes. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]DEQ to clean up Sugar Dock[/B]

The Division of Environmental Quality cleanup brigade will be picking up trash at Sugar Dock in Susupe on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at 8am.

Volunteers will split into groups, cleaning the Sugar Dock area and south to Laly 4 Beach until 10am, break for drinks and then continue, if needed.

This is a cleanup that should not be missed, so join DEQ’s cleanup brigade and “Pick It Up!” Let us work together for the health of our coral reefs and cleanliness of our beaches for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about volunteering, contact the DEQ office at 664-8500. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Sailors help prepare Veteran’s Cemetery for Memorial Day[/B]

SANTA RITA, Guam—USS Frank Cable sailors will clean and paint at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Piti today, May 23, in preparation for Memorial Day.

The volunteer work is part of the Navy’s commitment to build and harbor strong and lasting relationships with the community and support the island through various community relations projects and events.

As Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet’s only operational submarine tender, Frank Cable deploys to ports throughout the Western Pacific to provide services to both submarines and surface ships in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]NAVFAC to Volunteer at Special Olympics aquatics event[/B]

SANTA RITA, Guam—U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas Sailors will volunteer during the Special Olympics Aquatics event today, May 23, at Hagatna Swimming Pool.

For the past several weeks, sailors have been volunteering with Special Olympics athletes as mentors and coaches in support of the Navy’s commitment to the community through various community relations functions and events.

The Guam Special Olympics mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]