60th anniversary celebration begins

Celebrations for the 60th commemoration of the World War II Battles of Saipan and Tinian kicked off last night with the Taste of the Marianas held at the American Memorial Park and a USO-style Camp Show for the benefit of the veterans.

The commemoration continues today with several activities lined up, starting with a brief ceremony at 8am for the reading of the names of all Chamorro and Carolinian war veterans who died due to WWII related causes. Al the names are inscribed on the Marianas Memorial, a newly constructed marble edifice at the American Memorial Park.

The 60th anniversary steering committee disclosed Saturday that, following the reading of the names is the dedication of the Marianas Memorial.

The celebration continues at 11:30am, when host families rendezvous with veterans for the Host-A-Veteran program, which provides an opportunity for veterans to reconnect with the islands through its residents by visiting the homes of local families.

At 12pm, Northwest Airlines will hold its Invitational Golf Tournament at the Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort and at 7pm, the USO Camp Show Encore performance will be held at the American Memorial Park amphitheater.

The committee also scheduled the ribbon cutting for the American Memorial Park Visitor Center and WWII Exhibit Hall and unveiling of the 60th Commemorative Cancellation Stamp at 9am on Monday. Shortly after the ribbon cutting ceremony, there would be a Time Capsule Dedication at the Park at 9:30am.

The Department of Pacific Areas 38th Annual Convention at the Dai Ichi Hotel, coordinated by the Veteran’s of Foreign War, will then open at 10am followed simultaneously with the History Alive Seminars on historical topics at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. A campfire chat will be held at the Memorial Park at 6:30pm.

The weeklong ceremonies intends to honor the sacrifices made by the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and to commemorate the lives lost during the tragic battles of Saipan and Tinian.

According to the committee, these events would promote awareness of the importance of understanding WWII history in the Mariana Islands and to preserve traditions among both regional and national audiences. With theme “Honoring Memory, Celebrating Freedom”, the CNMI remembers all sacrifices made by the Northern Marianas during the war.

The committee also reiterated its request to residents to help the government and its partners in keeping the islands clean during and after the celebration of the 60th anniversary this month.