Blue Ridge, 7th Fleet honor Veterans’ Day on Saipan

By JO2 LUKE D. JOHNSON

Garapan, Saipan—While in port, the USS Blue Ridge and Seventh Fleet honored veterans from wars past and present in a Veterans’ Day ceremony at American Memorial Park in Garapan, Saipan.

Blue Ridge commanding officer Capt. J. Stephen Maynard was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Maynard observed that American Memorial Park was the ideal setting to honor Veterans’ Day.

“We could not have a more appropriate venue than the American Memorial Park Court of Honor, situated in the very location where the service of our veterans was so important in June 1944, as a decisive battle of the World War II’s Pacific offensive was waged,” said Maynard.

He stressed that it is important to always remember those who have served the country in time of war. “Tradition is at the core of today’s holiday—the tradition of service, the tradition of sacrifice, and the tradition of commitment. These traditions are perpetuated from generation to generation by remembering those who came before us, and truly lived out the values Duty, Honor, and Country,” said Maynard.

He also reflected on the new generation of war veterans who are currently fighting the war on terror—“from the Marine rifleman on patrol, the Air Ordnance man on deck, to the Fireman on watch in the fire room. Our young men and women are on duty, on watch, fighting, protecting our freedom, and bringing the promise of a better life to millions throughout the world. I am proud and humbled to serve with them. They are our veteran heroes of tomorrow.”

Maynard concluded his speech with reflection on all who have served, and the sacrifices they made, making the day a day to say thank you for their patriotism, their love of country and their willingness to serve the common good.

The governor of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Juan N. Babauta, was grateful for the support that Blue Ridge and the Seventh Fleet provided to make the ceremony a success.

“It is always great to have the Blue Ridge come visit Saipan, and have the Captain as keynote speaker is appreciated very much,” said Babauta.

He said that having the Blue Ridge and Seventh Fleet participate in the ceremony made it a special occasion for the veterans of Saipan. He also went on to say that the citizens of Saipan are proud of and support their military.

“We are probably the most patriotic territory in the nation, and we support our troops worldwide,” said Babauta.

During one part of the ceremony, Babauta presented some of the last surviving veterans of the campaign that ousted the Japanese out of Saipan with certificates and coins. Gregorio C. Cabrera, who was a corporal in the Marine Corps, said he was very honored to have been part of the liberation of Saipan over 60 years ago, and he expressed gratitude to Blue Ridge and the Seventh Fleet Sailors for participating in the ceremony.

“I am very happy to see the sailors honoring the veterans here on Saipan,” said Cabrera.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Seventh Fleet Band played Navy and Marine Corps hymns, and the crowd clapped loudly to the music to show their support for both the Blue Ridge and Seventh Fleet and to honor the veterans of Saipan.

USS Blue Ridge is the command ship for Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet. The ship provides the highest quality capability for seagoing command-and-control of theater level forces by naval and/or joint commanders during peacetime or conflict and provides preeminent naval support for U.S. diplomatic initiatives and objectives.