{"id":214413,"date":"2015-11-12T06:06:54","date_gmt":"2015-11-11T20:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=214413"},"modified":"2015-11-12T06:06:54","modified_gmt":"2015-11-11T20:06:54","slug":"cnmi-honors-and-thanks-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/cnmi-honors-and-thanks-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"CNMI honors and thanks veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"From<\/a>
From left, acting governor Ralph DLG Torres, Veterans and Military Affairs office director Joseph M. Palacios, a cadet of the Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray Battalion, and keynote speaker Lt. Col. Gregorio M. Sablan present a wreath of flowers at the Court of Honor of the American Memorial Park yesterday as part of the celebration of Veterans Day. (Frauleine S. Villanueva-Dizon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nThe Commonwealth remembered and gave thanks to all who served in uniform during the annual Veterans Day ceremony yesterday at the American Memorial Park, giving honor to those who\u2019ve laid their lives on the line since World War II, all the way up to modern conflicts.<\/p>\n

Officials at the ceremony at the American Memorial Park yesterday cited the local scouts that aided U.S. Marines in weeding out the Japanese resistance on island after World War II, to those who formally wore the uniform and served in the wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq and other military operations since then.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am proud to say and thank [all those who served] and continue to serve today,\u201d said Veterans and Military Affairs office director Joseph M. Palacios. \u201cIt is because of all our veterans here and abroad that we are able to be here today because of their work to keep America safe. We know that freedom is not free.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be a member of our uniformed services isn\u2019t for everyone\u2026the job they have is not an easy one,\u201d said acting governor Ralph DLG Torres. \u201cEvery so often they are called to action when they least expect it. Indeed it is a task not for everyone but it is a task they do with pride and honor\u2026we salute them, for it is because of their service that we are who we are today: Free.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the members of our veterans and all those here today\u2026I ask one request: Never stop showing gratitude to these individuals,\u201d the acting governor said.<\/p>\n

Keynote speaker Lt. Col. Gregorio M. Sablan of the U.S. Army said he is honored to commemorate \u201cthose before us who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that peace and honor will prevail and to give thanks to those that have served with quiet honor and dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n

It has been 70 years since World War II ended in 1945. The Marianas played a key role in America\u2019s victory over Japan, flying U.S. planes from Saipan and Tinian for bombing raids over Japan.<\/p>\n

\u201cSaipan played a pivotal role in quickly ending the war against Japan from the air bases in Saipan and Tinian. The B-29 Super Fortress flew bombing missions to Japan and also\u2026the Enola Gay dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki which quickly ended the war and the surrender of Japan,\u201d Sablan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet us also not forget our local Marine scouts made up of local and Carolinians in assisting the Marines in weeding out the remaining Japanese resistance on island. And also consider at the time the local police force. Let us not forget them but remember them as well for their sacrifices.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026We answered the call and we never backed down in the defense of our country\u2026I pray that there will be peace throughout the world but sadly and unfortunately we live in a world of many uncertainties.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ask you all when you see a veteran, our sons and daughters in uniform, greet them and say thank you for your service. That goes a long way for a veteran like myself. As Gen. Douglas MacArthur once said, \u2018Old soldiers never die, they just simply fade away.\u201d We should never forget,\u201d Sablan said.<\/p>\n

Officials also thanked Veterans Affairs staff Bernie Dela Cruz and chair Jennifer Guerrero for their hard work in the program.<\/p>\n

Marianas High School Chorus and the Saipan Pacific Winds band also performed during yesterday\u2019s ceremony. (With THOMAS MANGLONA II)
\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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