Businesses offer military discounts

To keep them coming to Saipan, some local businesses have decided to offer visiting U.S. Navy personnel a special discount brochure while on island.

Associate Judge David Wiseman, chairman of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce Armed Forces Committee, announced that all visiting Navy ships would be given a Military Discount Brochure.

He said the brochure serves two purposes: To show appreciation for the military’s service to the country as well as to promote the local businesses among the visitors.

Wiseman said the chamber regularly solicits additions to the brochure from its members.

The business group sends representatives to the greeting of visiting military personnel at the port.

Saipan welcomes this week USS Pasadena which docked at the port of Saipan Thursday.

USS Pasadena officers and crew will stay on island until Monday.

A welcoming party sponsored by the NMI-American Red Cross was held for the visiting military group at Hyatt Regency beach front yesterday night.

In his remarks during SCC’s meeting last month, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas commander, Rear Admiral Charles J. Leidig said that the CNMI has been “a great host” to U.S. visiting ships.

He said that if it is maintained, the CNMI could get more frequent port calls.

“That’s a factor [to getting] increased visits. They enjoy their liberty here,” the admiral said.

He said there is a 50 percent increase of ship visits in the CNMI over prior years.

This trend has undoubtedly contributed positively to the local economy.

He said that a military personnel on a two- to three-day liberty call would spend at least $300.

The presence of the U.S. military in the CNMI is anticipated in the coming years in view of the reported relocation of thousands of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam, the headquarter of the U.S. COMNAVMAR.

He said there are 7,000 Marines from Okinawa, who will be transferred to Guam and Hawaii, and possibly in another area possibly beginning next year.

This movement, he said, would translate to increased naval operations in the region.

Leidig further said that U.S. military operations in the Marianas and the entire Western Pacific region will continue to build up as it takes an active role in supporting the global war on terror.

Leidig said the U.S. military will conduct war trainings in the Marianas.

“We’ll do war trainings in the Marianas…allied forces [will be] coming here in Western Pacific for training,” Leidig had said. (Liberty Dones)