‘Remember veterans and today’s soldiers’

A ranking U.S. Army official urged local residents yesterday to honor soldiers currently fighting in wars, as they observe Veterans Week from Nov. 7-13.

Major Gen. Stephen D. Tom, U.S. Army-Pacific deputy commander for mobilization and reserve affairs, said today’s generation owes the freedom they enjoy to the sacrifices of veterans from previous wars.

Nevertheless, he added, people should take time to remember the new generation of veterans fighting right now in U.S. wars in different parts of the world.

“Let’s observe this particular Veterans Day not only by remembering past veterans who have sacrificed for our freedom, but also by taking a little time to honor soldiers currently fighting for our country, including the 100-plus soldiers from the CNMI who are now training in Texas,” Tom said.

Tom made this call after Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed a proclamation declaring Nov. 7-13 as Veterans Week.

Babauta said the weeklong activities will include the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the American Memorial Park on Thursday. He said the USS Blueridge will be in port for the event and the 7th Fleet Navy Band will provide music at the ceremony, as well as a free concert afterwards.

“As we mark the past achievements of our veterans, let us remember that they are a vital part of our present and future. Of the 48 million who have served in America’s military since the Revolutionary War, over 30 million are with us today,” a portion of the proclamation read.

It added, “Their tradition of service extends beyond the battlefield and the barracks. Most veterans in civilian life continue devoting their energies to the service of their country and communities, including here in the CNMI. They are civic-minded role models who challenge and inspire our young people. They are volunteers who work for neighbors in need. They represent what is best in the American spirit.”

In an interview, Tom said he was on-island to meet with the Family Readiness Group of the Echo Company, to which the CNMI soldiers belong.

About 60 of the soldiers’ family members reportedly attended a meeting at the U.S. Army Reserve Center on Sunday. During the meeting, participants were able to ask questions and raise concerns regarding the soldiers’ deployment.

“One of the concerns of the Army is to make sure that the families that are left back here while the soldiers are deployed [have] support groups helping them cope with the stress of not having their loved one for that one-year-plus deployment period,” Tom said.

He noted that one of the most major concerns of the families is communicating with the soldiers once they arrive in Iraq. According to Tom, telecommunications facilities are in place in Iraq.

The problem, however, lies with providing the soldiers with the cost of phone cards. “But certain companies have been very, very generous in donating phone cards so that [the soldiers] can call their families,” he said.