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CNMI’s son is given Bronze Star Award
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Posted on Aug 31 2005
A CNMI-born soldier who had just completed his one-year deployment to Iraq has been awarded a Bronze Star medal for outstanding achievement in accomplishing his mission.
First Sergeant Nicolas Cabrera, who was born on Saipan and has lived most of his life in San Antonio Village, joined the U.S. Army in 2004 and was deployed to war-stricken Iraq. The son of Nicolas and Cecilia Cabrera, he now belongs to the U.S. National Guard in Seattle, Washington. Cabrera was deployed to Iraq from February 2004 to 2005.
“I’m very happy, because I didn’t expect it,” Cabrera said when asked about his medal, adding that it was his peers that nominated him for the prestigious award given to U.S. soldiers.
The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who is serving in any capacity with the military of the United States whose acts that he or she performed throughout his or her service are considered heroic. The award is also given to recognize single acts of merit to the soldiers.
Cabrera said he attributes the award to hard work and for keeping the morale and welfare of his fellow soldiers during his deployment. He said he is happy to be part of the group that trained the Iraqi National Guards so that the Iraqis could become independent in defending their country.
Cabrera said it was tremendously difficult to be deployed in Iraq, especially since one is away from his family. Through his dedication and hard work, however, he was able to go through it all. He said he would not hesitate to go back and serve his country again, if recalled.
He said his being Chamorro made him more proud to have received the award.
Cabrera is now back in the U.S. mainland. (Marconi Calindas, based on information provided by SSG Fabian Indalecio)
