Previous Story
More NMI soldiers arrive
|
Posted on Jan 19 2006
More local soldiers were scheduled to arrive Saipan last night after completing their tour of duty in Iraq.
Yellow Ribbon Committee chairperson Tania Fleming-Mesa said some 10 to 15 soldiers would arrive last night at the Saipan International Airport.
Seven soldiers arrived Monday night, including Barry Maratita, Joseph Santos, Dovelin Andres, Jeff Olopai, Joe Sablan, Clemen Kaipat and Anthony Macaranas.
The batch followed the Sunday arrivals of seven other soldiers— Ferdinand Inoke, Frank Pangelinan, Winfred Camacho, Peter Camacho, Jeffrey Diaz, Roland Aizon, and Joseph Borja.
Yellow ribbons could be seen on trees, power poles and streetlight posts on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Mesa disclosed that her committee prepared over 2,000 ribbons to welcome the troops. About 350 banners welcoming the troops have been installed in different places on the islands.
“To me, yellow ribbon means support and love for our troops and gratitude to them for sacrificing their lives to defend our freedom,” Mesa said.
She added that the ribbons also serve as reminder of Saipan’s fallen heroes. SSG Wilgene T. Lieto, along with SPC Derence Jack, were killed in Iraq in October last year.
Mesa thanked Reps. Ray Yumul, who also served the U.S. military in Iraq, and Jesus Lizama, whose community service staff assisted efforts to put up the yellow ribbons in public places.
“On behalf of the CNMI Troops Familia Network and Rita Chargualaf, I want to thank all the volunteers who helped with the yellow ribbons—both making them and putting them out—and all the sponsors who participated in our Sponsor-A-Banner project. Thank you for making our homecoming event for our soldiers a success,” Mesa said.
Mesa also thanked the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. linemen and Gary Camacho who assisted in putting up the banners.
