For more than a decade, I have a lot of memories and clippings of my previous articles via the letter to the editor portion that Saipan Tribune published without hesitation free of charge.

As I recall before the imposition of federal rules and regulations in CNMI, almost every week, I had an article published by Saipan Tribune battling for the grandfathering or improve status of the long-term foreign workers in the CNMI.

Saipan Tribune had a legacy in publishing vital information for the public to know specially foreign nationals and workers in the CNMI.

I am personally saddened to know that Saipan Tribune is closing its doors for its publication business. I am greatly honored that Saipan Tribune contributed much for us foreign workers during the dark days of our immigration issues back from 2004 up to the present. You covered our first ever “Unity March” and our “Lawsuit against USCIS” opposing the implementation of federal regulations, thank you for that. You covered every Filipino group community activity and I thank you for that.

Thank you, Saipan Tribune in behalf of my fellow foreign nationals in the CNMI. God Bless!

Carlito J. Marquez

Via email

Letter to the Editor

On behalf of Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours, please allow me to say thank you to the 80th Anniversary Committee, headed by Gordon Marciano and implemented by Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, and to Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, the Veterans Affairs Office, the Marianas Visitors Authority, as well as the staff and management of the American Memorial Park for all they did to welcome this year’s veterans tour of Saipan and Tinian.

Congratulations are also in order for your correspondent, Chrystal Marino, for composing the clearly heartfelt story about the commemoration that appeared in the Saipan Tribune on March 28.

Chris Anderson hit the nail on the head with his description of the warm greetings we received wherever we went on Saipan and Tinian. Near the end of the tour, our group’s tour director/historian, Mark Waycaster, USMC Ret., conducted a brief group analysis of the tour with our guests. Collectively, they stated that the lunch prepared for us at Taga Beach, Tinian, prepared by JC’s Cafe, was one of their most memorable events because of the local participation. Members of the Tinian ROTC Stallion Battalion, led by Capt. Santos and 1st Sgt. King, joined us and sat with our guests, asking questions and listening to the veterans tell stories of their fathers’ roles in World War II. Mayor Aldan gave outstanding opening remarks before local resident historian Deborah Fleming said grace. I was so very proud of my students and neighbors.

If we had a mechanism to resolve the transportation problem, it would be wonderful if we could add a day on Rota. Even though that island was not invaded and captured during Operation Forager, the story of their survival—as the most bombed island in the Pacific during World War II—also needs to be told and retold and remembered.

Thank you all for supporting the commemoration of 80 years of peace in the Marianas that resulted from the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Don A. Farrrell

Staff Historian

Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours

Letter to the Editor