165 take part in annual MRA pilgrimage

A total of 155 members of the Micronesia Repatriation Association of Okinawa arrived on island and held its 35th Peace Memorial Service at the Okinawa tower at the Last Command Post in Marpi yesterday in honor of those who served and died during World War II.

In addition to the number, another 10 from Guam and other islands in the Micronesia Region also took part in the celebration.

MRA chairman Choken Ginoza, who was born on Tinian and spent 13 years on Saipan, said through a translator that the service also pays tribute to 10 family members who were on duty during the war.

Ginoza, who was on island last April to discuss, make arrangements, and confirm with the government on the service and tour, said the annual service is also intended “to pray for worldwide peace.”

The memorial service also included flower and incense offerings to those who lost their lives during the war.

He expressed his appreciation to the CNMI government, most especially the Marianas Visitors Authority, for continuous support of the event.

The group is also celebrating its 27th peace memorial service at the Okinawa tower in Suicide Cliff on Tinian.

“The peace memorial service is to pray for those who perished during the war and also for those who are still fighting wars,” said Pacific Development Inc. coordinator Gordon Marciano.

Both ceremonies are to be followed by an Okinawa friendship night dinner reception. On Saipan, the friendship night was held at the Hafa Adai Beach Hotel Garden and Poolside last night. On Tinian, the friendship reception would be held at Kammer Beach, with members of the MRA families and CNMI MRA families coming together to appreciate their good relations and to continue to bring peace and harmony for everyone.

The MRA group would be staying through June 3.

Marciano said the association is also sponsoring students to attend the 16th annual Okinawa CNMI Cultural Exchange program where three students from Rota, Tinian, and Saipan each would be awarded scholarships to participate in the program.

The MVA and the Public School System would announce the participants in the student-cultural exchange program.

“Choken Ginoza shares the difficulties with the events in the world and some of the members of the group were unable to make the pilgrimage tour. But although some of the members can’t make it, he [Ginoza] looks forward to the future as they continue to pray hand in hand with their families in Saipan and Tinian,” said Marciano.