Cohen arrives for 60th, leave allowed for House staff

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs David Cohen arrived on Saipan yesterday afternoon to celebrate with the Northern Marianas the 60th anniversary of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian.

Cohen will participate in today’s ceremony when all government heads, employees, World War II veterans, and representatives from a cross-section of the community gather to witness the Beach Road parade that would highlight the celebrations.

According to public information officer Pete Callaghan, Cohen arrived yesterday afternoon and would attend various activities.

To show the Legislature’s support for the event, House Vice Speaker Timothy Villagomez granted yesterday a four-hour administrative leave to all members and staff of the 14th CNMI House of Representatives so they could participate in today’s 60th anniversary parade.

In a memorandum issued to all House members and staff, Villagomez urged all staffers to attend the parade on Beach Road that would take place at 3:30pm.

“All House members and staff are granted four hours of administrative leave on Tuesday, June 15, 2004. The leave covers the afternoon hours of 12:30pm to 4:30pm,” the vice-speaker said.

“Please celebrate responsibly and be safe,” he added.

On Friday, 60th Anniversary chair Diego T. Benavente also issued a memorandum allowing non-essential government employees to go on leave for the scheduled activities today.

The memorandum was in response to calls for volunteers to help in welcoming veterans.

Participants and World War II veterans started arriving last week to attend the weeklong celebration of the 60th anniversary. The event kicked off Sunday with the reading of the names of all Chamorros and Carolinians who were killed during the war.

Yesterday, Gov. Juan N. Babauta spearheaded the ribbon cutting for the American Memorial Park Visitor Center and WWII Exhibit Hall and unveiling of the 60th Commemorative Cancellation Stamp at 9am, which was shortly followed by the Time Capsule Dedication at the Park at 9:30am.

The Department of Pacific Areas 38th Annual Convention at the Dai Ichi Hotel, closely coordinated by the Veteran’s of Foreign War, also opened at 10am followed simultaneously with the History Alive Seminars on historical topics at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

The weeklong ceremonies kicked off Saturday with events that would honor the sacrifices made by the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and beyond and to commemorate the lives lost during the tragic battles.

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.

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