Manta Ray Battalion takes part in WWII 80th anniversary tour

Saipan Southern High School’s Manta Ray Battalion JROTC cadets and their senior army instructor, CSM (Ret.) Richard Basa, participated in the World War II 80th anniversary tour conducted by Gordon Marciano last April 6.

A total of 41 Manta Ray Battalion JROTC cadets rose early on a Saturday morning to embark on a journey of historical discovery. Arriving at SSHS campus from 7am to 8am, the cadets boarded their bus, ready to absorb the knowledge awaited them. Led by Marciano, the cadets traversed the island, immersing themselves in the history of World War II sites, including Sugar Dock, Green Beach, Blue Beach, Yellow Beach, Red Beach, As Lito Complex, Route 36, Suicide Cliff, and Banzai Cliff.

“I enjoyed the experience on the tour of the island of Saipan. It showed me that there is more than you think of the lore of all of the shrines I believed didn’t have a background, but most of them did and had a story behind all of them, and I learned about a lot of things about the Japanese and how our island was taken and retrieved,” said C/SSG Colton Guinto.

C/SFC Jamie Deblois added, “I enjoyed the many sceneries and opportunities I got to experience on the WWII Tour. There are many sites I got to see for the first time, like the As Lito Complex, Suicide Cliff, and Route 36. I connected with my fellow cadets and learned much about what happened during the Battle of Saipan and Tinian. Overall, I enjoyed this experience and hope to pass down the historic facts I gained on this tour.”

“The experience was truly profound. It opened my eyes to places and stories I was unaware of. The tour allowed me to empathize with our veterans’ hardships and made me appreciate my circumstances. It was an unforgettable experience that has left a lasting impact on me,” said C/CPT Kiani Pangelinan.

The Manta Ray Battalion, under the leadership of Basa would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Marciano.

“His expert guidance and insightful teachings during this extraordinary journey have significantly enhanced our cadets’ understanding of our island’s history, including myself. We are truly blessed to have had this opportunity and will carry the invaluable lessons learned on this tour into our future endeavors.” (PR)