Public invited to welcome back WWII veterans

World War II veterans who are on their way to observe the 60th anniversary of the battles at Iwo Jima will be stopping by on Saipan today and tomorrow, March 6 and 7.

Organizers of this trip are requesting for volunteers who want to help welcome back these veterans and their families who will be visiting the islands. Many of the Iwo Jima veterans who will visit this week also served in the Marianas campaign and in other regions of the Pacific.

Hospitality volunteers of the 60th Anniversary of World War II in the Pacific Committee will gather at the Saipan airport tonight at 8pm, and on Monday, March 7, at the same time, to provide a warm reception to the veterans and their families.

The moment the veterans arrive in the Marianas, the women of the Miss CNMI court will offer a traditional island welcome with presentations of leis and mwar mwars, and the dance group Takana Hai Nui will provide island-style dancing and entertainment as well.

During the 60th Anniversary of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian in June 2004, many returning veterans said that the warm welcome at the airport was memorable and that it made them feel like heroes.

“We invite you to help make this airport welcoming better by waving flags, cheering, and being there to extend warm wishes to these aging veterans when they walk through the arrival gates. If you can make it, please come to the Saipan airport main arrival gate at no later than 8pm on Sunday, March 6 or Monday, March 7,” said the 60th Anniversary of World War II in the Pacific Committee.

A formal commemoration ceremony will start at 11am on Wednesday, March 9, at American Memorial Park Court of Honor. The public is invited to attend this ceremony, which will feature a short presentation by World War II Navajo code talker Teddy Draper. Draper served at Iwo Jima and witnessed the second flag being raised at Mt. Suribachi. This flag raising is known worldwide because of the mass circulation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo taken by Joe Rosenthal.

The veterans tour groups will visit historic and scenic sites on Saipan and Tinian. The Office of the Mayor of Tinian, the Historic Preservation Office, and Pacific Development Inc. have worked together to arrange historic tours of Tinian.

Genevieve Cabrera of HPO said that this effort is part of a larger initiative to share information about the diverse historical periods with visitors to the CNMI. She advised that the historical tourism market is currently underplayed in terms of potential for economic growth and public education.

“The CNMI has many physical features that showcase our varied history, and many of these structures are in need of repair or restoration,” she said. “Knowing that many people visit the Marianas to see the historical sites, it stands to reason that placing more resources into fixing and maintaining these sites would simply help bring tourists to these already attractive locations.”

She said the local community can get involved by learning more about history, and sharing that knowledge with others.

At the commemoration ceremony, Arizona Memorial Museum Association will have WWII memorabilia, collectables, and publications for sale, including military insignia items of the U.S. Armed Forces. Aside from island tours and the ceremony, other events for the visiting veterans will include a reception hosted by local VFW Post 3457. The WWII veterans groups will depart the Marianas on March 8th and 9th.

The 60th Anniversary of World War II in the Pacific Committee is a sub-committee of the Steering Committee for the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian.