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Leave OK’d for govt employees on June 15
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Posted on Jun 11 2004
Acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente has issued a memorandum allowing non-essential government employees to go on leave for the 60th anniversary of the World War II Battles of Saipan and Tinian parade on Tuesday, June 15.
Benavente said employees can take a leave from 12 noon that day to participate in the parade, which will take place at 3pm on Saipan.
This comes in the wake of calls by the event’s Hospitality Committee for volunteers to help in welcoming veterans as they arrive on island. The committee said volunteers are most needed this weekend at the Saipan International Airport arrival area.
“We want them to feel welcome and appreciated for all the sacrifices they made that enabled us to have our way of life today. When they leave, we want them to look back and say that was an experience of a lifetime,” said committee chair Catherine Barry.
She said a large group of veterans would start arriving beginning Thursday.
Barry said volunteers could gather outside the terminal area and wave at the visitors. “We’re going to have flags and we want people to wave, put on a smile, and really make the veterans feel welcome. Not many are allowed in the terminal, but outside, many can gather. We want everyone to be a part of it.”
She said some people have actually expressed great interest in volunteering or helping with the commemoration, including joining hospitality desks at various hotels to guide veterans and guests, answer questions, pass programs during events, and more.
Entertainments and ceremonies will also be held at the terminals as part of the welcoming of veterans.
Commemoration events kick off this Saturday, June 12 and conclude on June 18.
Various activities have been set up, including seminars, historic sites tours, laser light shows, and a parade on June 15, which would highlight the formal commemoration ceremony featuring Enola Gay pilot, retired Gen. Paul Tibbets, as the keynote speaker.
Activities on Tinian also include the unveiling of World War II bomb pits that have been excavated.
