Previous Story
Yellow ribbons welcome troops home
|
Posted on Jan 18 2006
Anyone driving around Saipan would surely not miss a new eye-catcher. Yellow ribbons are tied not only on trees, but practically everywhere, even on electric posts and bumpers of vehicles.
Apparently, the ribbons serve as an expression of joy in welcoming local soldiers who recently completed their tour of duty from Iraq—and an appreciation for the servicemen’s efforts.
Specialists Ferdinand Inoke, Frank Pangelinan, Winfred Camacho, Peter Camacho, Jeffrey Diaz, Roland Aizon, and Joseph Borja arrived safely on Saipan Sunday night, creating an emotional scene at the Saipan International Airport, where family members, friends and other community members greeted the soldiers with a warm welcome.
On Guam, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael G. Mullen would arrive today for a two-day visit, a possible indication of the Pacific territories’ greater involvement in the nation’s war against terrorism. Mullen serves as adviser to President Bush and the Secretary of Navy in the conduct of war.
The Naval Forces Marianas disclosed that Mullen would meet with military officials led by its commander, Adm. Joe Leidig, and Capt. Kenneth Freeman, commanding officer of Naval Base Guam.
Mullen, a four-star admiral, serves as the senior military officer in the Department of Navy. He is responsible to the Secretary of the Navy for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of the operating forces of the Navy and of the Navy shore activities assigned by the Secretary.
As member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mullen is the principal naval adviser to the President and to the Secretary of the Navy on the conduct of war, and is the principal adviser and naval executive to the Secretary on the conduct of activities of the Department of the Navy, the COMNAVMAR said.
