Two Japanese groups now in the NMI for memorial tour

The Micronesia Repatriation Association of Okinawa and the Zenkoku Nanyokai association are currently on island for their annual memorial tour.

According to Pacific Development Inc. marketing manager Gordon Marciano, approximately 300 members of the two groups arrived yesterday on Saipan at 2pm. The groups are also set to visit the islands of Tinian and Rota for their annual peace commemoration.

“Their purpose is to pray for those who perished during World War II and extend the same prayers for other combatants who died in other previous and current conflicts,” said Marciano.

The PDI official said anyone interested in joining the peace ceremony is welcome to join the group. Their schedules are as follows:

* June 1, 2005, 10am, 36th Saipan Okinawa Peace Memorial Services at the Okinawa Peace Tower next to the Last Command Post at Marpi Point.

* June 2, 2005, 11am, 28th Tinian Okinawa Peace Memorial Services at the Okinawa Peace Tower, Banzai Cliff on Tinian.

* June 3, 2005, 10am, Rota Okinawa Peace Memorial Services at the Okinawa Peace Tower on Mount Sabana, Rota

Marciano said this year marks the 36th anniversary for the Micronesian Repatriation Association of Okinawa and the 40th anniversary for the Zenkoku Nanyokai association.

He said this year will be the last visit to Saipan of the Zenkoku group as several of their members had already passed on and most of the remaining members have decided to close the membership of the Zenkoku Nanyokai.

As for the MRA, Marciano said the group will continue with their yearly pilgrimage to Saipan.

He said it has been a challenging time for the group, with events around the world making their travel difficult, but the group still manages to find ways to make their annual visit to Saipan.

Marciano said the MRA of Okinawa has confirmed its sponsorship of the 17th CNMI and Okinawa cultural exchange. This year, two students from Saipan and one student each from Tinian and Rota will be selected to attend the event. All of their accommodation will be taken cared of by the MRA.

He said the students will meet up with two Palauan students on Saipan and would depart at the same time on June 21 but will be returning on June 25. Selection process is through the school system. PDI and the Marianas Visitors Authority have been working side by side to ensure that the selection process is smooth, said Marciano. The students’ names will be announced on the evening of June 1.

Marciano said the MRA and Zenkoku Nanyokai are also inviting the people of the CNMI to a dinner reception at the Hafa Adai Beach Hotel garden area on June 1.