60th Anniversary of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian schedule

Friday, June 11

12 – 4pm Register for vfw conference in Dai Ichi Hotel lobby

4 – 8pm VFW Hospitality Room (Post 3457)

Saturday, june 12

7:30am-5pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Hyatt Hotel Chamolinian Room
10:00am-10:00pm AMMA sales tables open at Victoria Hotel Banquet Hall
12 – 4pm Register for VFW conference in Dai Ichii Hotel lobby
9 – 11am VFW MOC audit committee
11 – noon VFW MOC awards committee
1 – 4pm VFW afternoon social
4 –8pm VFW Hospitality Room (Post 3457)
6pm “Taste of the Marianas” fiesta sponsored by Marianas Visitors Authority at American Memorial Park
7 – 9pm USO-style show at American Memorial Park

Sunday, June 13

6 – 10am AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at PIC lobby
7:30am-5pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Hyatt Hotel Chamolinian Room
10am-10pm AMMA sales tables open at Victoria Hotel Banquet Hall
8am – noon register for VFW conference at Dai Ichi Hotel lobby
8am Marianas Memorial at American Memorial Park: beginning of the reading of the names of all Chamorros and Carolinians who died in WWII in the Marianas.
9am Dedication at American Memorial Park of Marianas memorial for Chamorros & Carolinians killed in WWII (Catholic service)
11:30am Host families rendezvous with veterans for the “Host a Veteran” program
12:00 Northwest Airlines 60th anniversary commemoration golf classic. Tee-off at Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort, followed immediately by a reception.
2 – 3pm VFW department awards committee
3 – 7pm VFW MOC Social at Oleai Beach Bar & Grill
4 – 8pm VFW Hospitality Room (Post 3457)
7–9pm Encore of USO-style show at American Memorial Park

Monday, June 14

6 – 10am AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at PIC lobby
7:30am-4pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Dai Ichi Hotel lobby
10am-10pm AMMA sales tables open at Victoria Hotel
8 – 9:45am Register for VFW conference in Dai Ichi Hotel lobby
9am Ribbon cutting for American Memorial Park Visitor Center & WWII exhibit & unveiling of 60th commemorative cancellation stamp
9:30am Time capsule dedication at American Memorial Park
10 –11:30am VFW opening ceremonies for Dept. of Pacific Areas 38th ann conv. W/ Gen. Tibbets, Van Kirk, Jeppson speaking at Dai Ichi Hotel
10am History alive seminars on historical topics at the Hyatt
Featured speakers:
Guy Gabaldon Marine veteran who captured over 800 prisoners on Saipan will discuss his experiences
Willam Stewart noted historian and cartographer will speak about Amelia Earhart
Lunchtime talk Chautauqua performance
Dirk Ballendorf UOG professor and Micronesian history specialist will lecture on the pacific war
Hiroshi Nakajima Exec. Director of the Pacific Society will speak about early and pre-WWII relations between the Marianas & Japan
1:30pm VFW VIP luncheon at Dai Ichi Banquet Room
2 – 2:30pm VFW outgoing council of admin meeting
2:30 – 3pm VFW MOC outgoing grand council
3pm End of history live seminars for the day
3 – 4:30pm VFW audit committee
4 – 8pm VFW Hospitality Room (Post 3457)
6:30 – 9pm Campfire chat at American Memorial Park: veterans of the battles of Saipan & Tinian will share their stories from WWII around a campfire. Dr. Worley would be present.

Tuesday, June 15

12-6am AMMA staff fly American flags over court of honor at American Memorial Park
6-10am AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at PIC lobby
7:30am-5pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Hyatt hotel
10am-10pm AMMA sales tables open at Victoria Hotel Banquet Hall
8am-4pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Dai Ichi hotel lobby
9am Non-denominational memorial service at American Memorial Park
9 – 1:30pm VFW MOC grand business session
10am History alive seminars continue
Featured speakers:
Hap Halloran B-29 navigator will talk about the days of the b-29 on Saipan & will make a tribute to seabees and Marines
William Stewart Will speak about “Operation Forager,” or the Battle of Saipan
Anderson Giles Well-known scholar and author will focus his presentation on the campaign for Tinian.
David Sablan Notable saipan resident will talk on the plight of civilians during the battle of Saipan
1:30 –2:30pm VFW lunch break
2pm End of seminar series for the day
2:30 – 3pm VFW MOC incoming grand council
3 – 4pm VFW incoming / outgoing district commanders meeting
3:30pm Parade honoring veterans of the Battles of Saipan & Tinian, as well as other pacific campaigns–starts at Kristo Rai church
8pm VFW Hospitality Room (Post 3457)
5:15pm 60th anniversary formal commemoration ceremony honoring veterans.
6:30pm Dinner reception hosted by the Office of the Governor at the American Memorial Park for VIPs
8pm Dancing to music of the 1940’s at American Memorial Park
9pm Laser light show at American Memorial Park

Wednesday, June 16

6 – 10am AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at PIC lobby

7:30am-5pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Hyatt hotel
8:30am-4:30pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Dai Ichi Hotel
10am-10pm AMMA sales tables open at Victoria Hotel Banquet Hall
10am Dr. Worley: roundtable discussion
4 pm Dr. Worley: community forum
10am History alive seminars continue

Featured speakers
Teddy Draper Sr Navajo code talker will speak about his experiences in Saipan during the World War II
General Lawrence Snowden
William Stewart on USS Indianapolis
Dirk Ballendorf & Hiroshi Nakajima will present on the significance of u.s. victories in the WWII Battles of Saipan & Tinian
Fred Kluge Professor and noted author of publications including Edge of Paradise, Macarthur’s Ghost, and The Day that I Died, will discuss post-war development
11:30 –3pm VFW lunch break
1:30 pm Unveiling of memorials and excavated Bomb Pit 1:35 pm Comnavmar fly by at North Field
1:45 pm Tour of Tinian WWII sites
7:00pm Veteran’s dinner hosted by Mayor Borja 7:45pm Commemorative Veteran pin ceremony
3pm End of history alive seminars, Sandcastle
3 – 4pm VFW first business session continues
4 – 8pm VFW Hospitality Room (Post 3457)
6 – 8:30pm VFW MOC grand installation & awards banquet
8pm Laser light show at American Memorial Park

Thursday, June 17
10am-3pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Hyatt Hotel
7:30am-5pm AMMA sales tables open at Victoria Hotel Banquet Hall
8:30am-4:30pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Dai Ichi
9am Red Cross canteen informal seminars: featuring William Stewart with selected topics such as the “Anatahan story,” “excerpts from a Japanese soldier’s diary,” and “An analysis of the Japanese defense of Saipan.”
9 – 11:30am VFW second business session
11:30am Dr. Worley
11:30 – 1pm VFW lunch break
1 – 4pm VFW second business session continues
3pm Dr. Worley
4-8pm VFW Hospitality Room (Post 3457)
6pm Chautauqua “President Truman” hosts a community forum
630-830pm VFW installation and awards banquet

Friday, June 18
8am Dr. Worley: radio interview on kzmi fm, media cente

8:30am-12pm AMMA memorabilia sales tables open at Dai Ichi Hotel lobby
9 – 11am VFW incoming council of administration meeting
10am Dr.Worley: interviews with video crews, media