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Clarification on license plate issue
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Posted on Aug 16 2004
This is to clarify an article Marianas Variety reported on Monday’s issue, Aug. 16, 2004, entitled, “Sen. Reyes volunteering for Iraq.”
It is true that I informed the reporter that I am writing to Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, to express my interest and desire to further serve our country. In fact, I have already written and mailed out the letter.
Information reported by the Variety is generally true. However, as I continued to read the article, my jaws dropped and I almost fell off my chair when the reporter stated that I retired from the military service with a rank of lieutenant colonel. Although it is a welcome promotion by the reporter, there is a need to clarify this.
I informed the reporter that I am a veteran having served the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. I was an enlisted personnel with a rank of Specialist 5th Class, which I said is equivalent to a buck sergeant, and assigned to the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Supply Unit.
However, I did not say nor implied that I retired from the military service with a rank of lieutenant colonel. I told the reporter that I left the CNMI government Division of Customs Services with a commission rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In fact, I showed the reporter the certified commission of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the CNMI government hanging on my office wall.
I hope that this clarifies the misunderstanding. I would like to thank the reporter for his interest in covering the story. I am very flattered with the promotion. Regrettably, I must clarify this very important matter, lest I will be taking credits I do not earn.
Thank you for the opportunity to make this clarification.
Pete P. Reyes
Capitol Hill, Saipan
