Veterans honored for paying highest price for freedom

Dozens of dignitaries and community members filled the American Memorial Park’s Court of Honor in Garapan yesterday morning for a special Veterans Day ceremony to honor the heroes who fought to safeguard our homes, families, and freedom.

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, who is also a veteran, Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho, lawmakers of the 23rd CNMI Legislature, judges, along with the main dignitaries of the event, the veterans and their families, gathered for the special ceremony and the laying of the commemoration wreath, followed by the 21-gun salute, and a U.S. Air Force jet flyover.

CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs acting executive officer Bernadita B. Dela Cruz shared. “I am honored to be here today to share the love, respect, and to thank our brave men and women of the Armed Forces for all their sacrifices in protecting our freedom that we are now enjoying. Our Commonwealth, our nation, will forever be in debt for their selfless sacrifice and courage. The saying that freedom isn’t free is more than just a statement. Our veterans have paid the highest price for this freedom.”

She also addressed her plentiful thank you to veterans and their families.

“Thank you for your service in keeping us safe and free. Thank you to everyone present here for taking time to remember our heroes. They never gave up on us and we can’t give up on them.”

In his address, and on behalf of the CNMI, Palacios added “To our veterans here today and to those who could not be here… Thank you. Your service has forged a legacy of resilience and honor woven deeply into the fabric of our island, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Your courage, both in times of conflict is an enduring reminder of the values we hold dear, values of freedom, justice, and unity. Sacrifices of time, safety, and family commands our respect and our commitment to remember… always.”

Palacios added that a grateful nation and Commonwealth also honor the families of veterans.

“Those who with quiet strength have stood behind their loved ones, bearing the weight of separations and the challenges of a life devoted to service. Your support, your love, and your resilience have been a vital force for those in uniform. Today we also recognize that you too have served and you too are deserving of our deepest gratitude.”

He also thanked the employers and businesses that employ and fully support service members as well as lawmakers, leaders, and advocates who continue to fight for veterans.

“Let us also acknowledge the more can and must be done. We must continue to advocate for laws and resources that meet the unique needs of our veterans and families in the Pacific. Let us envision a future of a community-based outreach clinics offering dedicated medical care, counseling, and essential services here on our islands for our veterans. Regardless of the number of veterans in our community, we must ensure that no one who has served our country stands without the support that they have earned. Today, let us not only remember and honor, but also renew our commitment to act. Let us pledge to be worthy of the sacrifices our veterans and their families have made. Building a future that reflects their dedication and their bravery.”

Col. Rafael Vargas Fontanez, U.S. Air Force J3 Director of Operation for Joint Region Marianas in Guam, served as the keynote speaker at the event.

Fontanez shared that throughout his military experience, he has not only experienced the difficulties of being deployed away from loved ones, but he’s also learned that that brotherhood shared among veterans, as well as the support from home, really gets them through.

“I have met so many incredible people who answer the call and who share the values of service before self, integrity, and courage, to name a few. It is those people, my fellow veterans, who make every day, week, month, and sometimes years of deployment, who stand away from their families and friends that much bearable. It is the people that truly, truly matter.”

He added that his journey brought him to this region again and to the CNMI where he had the pleasure of learning so much about the local culture and all of the islands in the Marianas.

“The CNMI, just like I said, this is like nowhere else in the world, and I have great respect for the pride, the resourcefulness, and the resilience of its people. Our American history is full of brave men and women who chose to stand up and answer our nation’s call to serve. They raised their hand and swore to serve to a purpose higher than themselves, to serve the American values of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. In this part of the world, and we know this, where our history is deeply intertwined, this day takes on a special significance.”

He added that the CNMI plays an integral part in the defense of the nation, not only in the past Pacific theater battles of World War II, but also today.

“One of the things that I can see, especially in this region—Saipan, Rota Tinian, and Guam—is the dedication and the commitment to our nation, in patriotism, and I’ve never seen that anywhere in the world. I’ve been all over the states, all over the world, different assignments, and I can attest that I am so impressed with the people of this region when it comes to serve and a dedication to the military. It’s incredible.”

Fontanez added, “From veterans of World War II to the ongoing service members that wear the uniform today, we honor our veterans everywhere and thank them for their service and sacrifices they have made to safeguard our freedoms…All gave some, and some gave all. Today, we stand on their shoulders and honor their legacy as we strive to live by their example. Many of our veterans continue to serve our communities after hanging up their military uniforms. They continue to make a difference as teachers, as police officers, as firefighters, and as leaders of our communities, and as everyday heroes who make the world a better place. We must also thank the families of our veterans for their steadfast support. Your strength and resilience and your sacrifices are equally significant. You are the unsung heroes who provide the foundation and support that our service members need to keep going.”

He said as a community, we should recognize, most importantly, to strive to be worthy of our veterans’ sacrifice.

“We must continue to uphold the ideals that built our nation. We must all continue to stand for justice and freedom for all of us Americans. Today, our armed forces continue to serve across the region, understanding that the price to protect our freedoms and liberties continues to rise. We’re building capabilities in this whole region, including the CNMI, which will directly help us protect future generations of Americans. Today, we continue to fight, inspired by our veterans who came before us. To our veterans here today, and to all the veterans across the armed forces, I offer my deepest gratitude to you and to your families. We celebrate the strength, your resilience, and your sacrifice.”