Road renamed in honor of Lieto

A Tanapag street has been renamed in honor of one of the two CNMI soldiers killed in Iraq last year.

The road previously known as Apinomw Avenue will now be called “SSG Wilgene Lieto Road,” after acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez signed House Local Bill 15-32.

The street renaming measure, now Saipan Local Law 15-14, was enacted to honor the late soldier who was born and raised in this Tanapag area.

Lieto killed in action during a patrol mission in Balad, Iraq on Oct. 31, 2005.

Another Saipan soldier, Corporal Derence Jack, was killed with Lieto. Villagomez is expected to sign on Thursday another local bill renaming a Garapan street in Jack’s honor.

Lieto road is located immediately south of Tanapag Elementary School, and beginning from Pale Arnold road heading west and connecting to Chamolinian Drive.

“[T]oday, we gather here to pay tribute to a young soldier who died nearly a year ago. He died in his prime, at the peak of his youth, age 28, without having had the opportunity to fulfill of his boyish hopes and dreams. But he will never fade away,” Villagomez said before signing the bill into law yesterday.

“The small children Wilgene left behind will now grow up knowing that streets were named in their father’s honor, and visiting tourists and U.S. servicemen will note the street names and see the profound appreciation and respect our island community extends to those who served with honor and distinction, making the ultimate sacrifice. In this way, we will always be reminded of the value of human life and liberty,” he added.

The local law also renamed the road currently called Industrial Drive as the “100th Battalion, 422nd Infantry Drive” in honor of local U.S. Army reservists who serve in the United States’ anti-terrorism efforts.

The road starts from the traffic light off of Pale Arnold going north past the U.S. Army Reserve facility and ends at the intersection on Bastos Street.

Lieto’s military career began when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on June 24, 1999. He quickly attained the rank of sergeant and was subsequently promoted to staff sergeant.

On July 2004, Lieto’s Company E, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry was activated, and later deployed to Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom.