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31st Nanyo Gunto Okinawa Memorial Ceremony
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Posted on Jun 06 2000
The 31st Nanyo Gunto Okinawa Memorial Ceremony was held yesterday, June 5th, at the Tower of Okinawa in Marpi.
Several local government officials, including Governor Pedro P. Tenorio and Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan, as well as members of the Legislature attended the ceremony.
The Okinawa–Micronesia Repatriation Association has been coming to the CNMI to honor and pay respects to their loved ones and friends who had perished during the war in the Marianas. Not only do they come here to pay their respects but also to revisit the island that was once their home during Japanese occupation of Saipan. Some of the participants born in the Marianas and still claim the CNMI as home.
Choken Ginoza, chair of the Micronesia Repatriation Association, led more than 306 pilgrims here to participate in the memorial ceremony. Upon their arrival, Saipan Mayor Jose Sablan, members of the Marianas Visitors Authority, and Pacific Development Inc., welcomed them (PDI).
Mr. Ginoza was named an honorary citizen of the CNMI back in 1990 and was recently bestowed the title of Honorary Ambassador to the CNMI in 1999. He continues to preserve the good will and friendship enjoyed by both countries. He also arranges for CNMI students to be sponsored with all expense paid trips to Okinawa in an effort to teach them of the customs and culture.
