{"id":300387,"date":"2019-05-29T06:00:03","date_gmt":"2019-05-28T20:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=300387"},"modified":"2019-05-29T06:00:03","modified_gmt":"2019-05-28T20:00:03","slug":"well-never-forget-our-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018We\u2019ll never forget our heroes\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-300387 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/11-20\/'>1(1)<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300388'>\n\t\t\t\tMemorial Day keynote speaker Commander Harry Elliott IV, Joint Region Marianas\u2019 legal counsel, delivers his address at Marpi\u2019s Veterans Cemetery on Monday.  (Erwin Encinares)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/21-4\/'>2(1)<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300389'>\n\t\t\t\tFamilies of veterans who served the U.S. military, mostly during World War II, are presented with floral offerings.  (Erwin Encinares)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/3-99\/'>3<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300390'>\n\t\t\t\tA family visits a relative\u2019s gravesite at the Veterans Cemetery.n (Erwin Encinares)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/4-101\/'>4<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300391'>\n\t\t\t\tA family gathers together to remember their loved one at the Veterans Cemetery on Monday during Memorial Day rites.  (Erwin Encinares)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/5-100\/'>5<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300392'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Marianas High School color guard carries the wreath to lay it below the flags displayed Monday at the Veterans Cemetery. (Erwin Encinares)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/6-84\/'>6<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300393'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Marianas High School color guard are joined by CNMI and military officials in laying a wreath at the Veterans Cemetery. (Erwin Encinares)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/7-76\/'>7<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300394'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Saipan Pacific Winds provided the musical backdrop to Monday\u2019s Memorial Day commemoration at the Veterans Cemetery. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/8-64\/'>8<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300395'>\n\t\t\t\tFamilies gather together to remember their loved one at the Veterans Cemetery on Monday. (Erwin Encinares)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/9-40\/'>9<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300396'>\n\t\t\t\tA member of VFW Post 3457 lays a flower wreath on the gravesite of a soldier in Monday\u2019s observance of Memorial Day at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/10-35\/'>10<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300397'>\n\t\t\t\tMembers of the Winkfield family honor their relative, Audra, as part of the CNMI\u2019s observance of Memorial Day. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/11-21\/'>11<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300398'>\n\t\t\t\tDelegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), center, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, right, and Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, left, lead the wreath-laying ceremony as part of the CNMI\u2019s observance of Memorial Day. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/12-12\/'>12<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300399'>\n\t\t\t\tRev. Fr. Albert Pellezar, OAR, blesses the graves of those who sacrificed their lives in service of their country. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/13-11\/'>13<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300400'>\n\t\t\t\tFrom left, House Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao (R-Saipan), Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), and Rep. Luis John DLG Castro (R-Saipan) join the CNMI\u2019s observance of Memorial Day. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/15-6\/'>15<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300401'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Kagman High School Ayuyu Battalion joins Monday\u2019s observance of Memorial Day. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/well-never-forget-our-heroes\/16-6\/'>16<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300402'>\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Air Force planes make a flyby during Monday\u2019s Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi was ground zero Monday for the observance of Memorial Day in the Commonwealth, with government officials led by Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, ranking military officers, and families of veterans giving honors to veterans of various conflicts.<\/p>\n<p>Joint Region Marianas legal counsel Commander Harry W. Elliott IV, who was Monday\u2019s keynote speaker, was joined at the ceremony by Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), House Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao, CNMI Military and Veterans Affairs executive director Stanley Iakopo, Sen. Vinnie F. Sablan (Ind-Saipan), Reps. Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan), Luis John DLG Castro (R-Saipan), Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero (R-Saipan), and Edmund S. Villagomez, and Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang.<\/p>\n<p>The Saipan Pacific Winds provided the musical backdrop to Monday\u2019s Memorial Day commemoration, while the Marianas High School color guard did flag duties at the ceremony, joined by the Kagman High School Ayuyu Battalion. Officers from the Department of Public Safety provided a 21-gun salute, just before two U.S. Air Force planes made a flyby over the cemetery.<\/p>\n<p>In his remarks, Palacios said: \u201cToday, we are gathered here on this sacred ground to honor the lives and deeds of some of our country\u2019s and our islands\u2019 greatest heroes: the men and women who laid down their lives for freedom and who contributed so much to the greater good for us all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo every family here today, our islands thank you and keep you in our prayers. We will never forget our heroes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>In his address, Elliott said the United States was founded on a simple but radical idea: that all humans are created equal, with inalienable rights.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a nation, we have struggled\u2014often mightily\u2014to fully realize this principle. Yet imperfect as we have been as a nation toward these goals through the years, with each young man or woman who dedicates their lives to the preservation of this ideal, we inch closer to the nation we aspire to become,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He told the story of Dawson Donale Brown, who is the grandfather of his friend and fellow lawyer. He said that Brown was part of the Marines that landed and helped liberate the island of Saipan from the Japanese during World War II. Private First Class Brown died less than three miles from the Veterans Cemetery.<\/p>\n<p>Elliot said that his friend has asked him to collect a jar of sand from the shores of Garapan to serve as their family\u2019s physical connection to the island. <\/p>\n<p>Brown\u2019s family has yet to visit the island where he gave up his life, Elliot said, but that jar of sand will forever serve as their connection to him and the future generations of their family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi was ground zero Monday for the observance of Memorial&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":300388,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-300387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/300387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=300387"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/300387\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/300388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=300387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=300387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=300387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}