In Memoriam remembers CNMI civilians killed in WWII
To remember over 900 civilians who lost their lives during the Battle of Saipan in World War II, the 17th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council held an In Memoriam ceremony last Friday at the Marianas Memorial Courtyard of the American Memorial Park in Garapan
The ceremony, which was attended by many dignitaries and officials, involved lighting several candles to honor the departed souls, the recitation of prayers and the offering of commemorative wreaths at the site.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt Gov. David M Apatang, Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho, and former governor Juan N. Babauta, were joined at the ceremony by Mayor Tomonori Ito of Saipan sister-city Katori in Japan, who was coincidentally on Saipan for the Japanese Autumn Festival and the Katori Shrine ceremony at the Sugar King Park.
The Marianas Memorial Monument was completed on June 13, 2004, a project organized by Babauta when he was still the the CNMI’s representative in Washington, D.C. Babauta was also responsible for the commemorative recognition of 50 Marianas Marine Scouts who served in the U.S. Marines as scouts after the war.
In his remarks last Friday, Babauta said that as long as they are able to, they will continue to remember and commemorate these lives that were lost in the war.
“Assembled at this very location in 2004, this community prayed that this would be a living memorial and that it will forever be a reminder for generations to come of the lessons that they who perished taught you, and as a reminder of the paradox of war. …From it, however, there is hope that these pristine waters and white beaches will never again be bloodied, and that peace will always prevail,” he said.
The ceremony was followed by the laying of wreaths at the courtyard and the lighting of candles.
The 17th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council organized the event. The posting and retiring of colors were done by the Kagman High School’s JROTC color guard, and the Marianas High School Glee Club filled the event with solemn song.
From left, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, former governor Juan N. Babauta, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), and Rep. John Paul Sablan (Ind-Saipan) look on during the In Memoriam ceremony last Friday at the American Memorial Park”s Marianas Memorial Courtyard in Garapan.
-CHRYSTAL MARINO
Saipan Christian Mothers, 17th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council Leadership, and several family members of the 900 civilians lost during WWII join in the lighting of candles during the In Memoriam ceremony last Friday at the American Memorial Park’s Marianas Memorial Courtyard in Garapan.
-CHRYSTAL MARINO
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang lay the first wreath at the Marianas Memorial Courtyard during the In Memoriam ceremony last Friday at the American Memorial Park in Garapan.
-CHRYSTAL MARINO
Escorted by members of the Kagman High School’s JROTC, Carolinian Affairs Office’s Felix Nogis prepares to place a wreath at the Marianas Memorial Courtyard during the In Memoriam ceremony last Friday at the American Memorial Park in Garapan.
-CHRYSTAL MARINO
A salute given as the Kagman High School’s JROTC retire the colors during the In Memoriam ceremony last Friday at the American Memorial Park’s Marianas Memorial Courtyard in Garapan.
-CHRYSTAL MARINO
Dignitaries and community members stand and place their hands to their hearts during the singing of the national anthem in the In Memoriam ceremony last Friday at the American Memorial Park’s Marianas Memorial Courtyard in Garapan.
– CHRYSTAL MARINO
Former CNMI governor Juan Babauta gives his remarks, just before the laying of the five wreaths during the In Memoriam ceremony last Friday at the American Memorial Park’s Marianas Memorial Courtyard in Garapan.
– CHRYSTAL MARINO
