{"id":409720,"date":"2024-06-17T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=409720"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Liberation-Day-festivities-kick-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Liberation-Day-festivities-kick-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberation Day festivities kick off"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dozens of community members filled the Garapan Fishing Base in Garapan last Saturday for the first night and official opening of the 78th Liberation Day festivities.<\/p>\n

The opening of the festivities had followed the commemoration of 80 years of peace in the Pacific that morning, a reflective look back at the Battle of Saipan and Tinian, and tied the event with the upcoming 78th anniversary of the liberation of the Norther Marianas\u2019 Indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people from the post war camp, Camp Susupe.<\/p>\n

The opening ceremony that took place was not only attended by residents, tourists, and local dignitaries, but also visiting World War II veteran families, and foreign media outlets here for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Saipan and Tinian. Both the Liberation Day and 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Saipan and Tinian committees made sure to recognize and honor these guests with a special table and dinner during the event. The guests were also able to stroll, enjoy, and partake of the many food, drinks, and merchandise vendors were peddling.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s artwork, made to match the 2024 CNMI Liberation Day theme \u201cHonoring memories from the past with moments of today\u201d was also unveiled at the ceremony. The piece depicted the NMI of long ago and NMI in the present, with a singular latte stone connecting the two. Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas \u201cRB\u201d Camacho shared that the artwork was done by one of his staff, Ken Camacho.<\/p>\n

In his special remarks, Camacho not only shared his gratitude to the Liberation Day committee and the 80th Battle of Saipan and Tinian Anniversary committee for the successful start of the month\u2019s festivities, but added that with teamwork, a lot can be done in the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis island, now, is no longer just Chamorro and Carolinian. This island is a real diverse community. Many young generations were born here and don\u2019t know much about it,\u201d said Camacho, \u201cOur generation was born in here and don\u2019t have that much knowledge about the Battle of Saipan and the time when our parents, grandparents, and our great-grandparents were liberated from Camp Susupe.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shared that remembering was important, but also teaching and sharing with others the CNMI\u2019s history was also equally important.<\/p>\n

Camacho said there was still much work to be done but he feels confident that together, the CNMI can do it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a mayor for this municipality… we are stronger if we all work together… there\u2019s a lot of pressing issues that are affecting all of us here in the CNMI, but we\u2019re the type of people that can stand and rise because we all work together. This is what we need to continue in this community, working together. I\u2019ll bet you that there\u2019s nothing impossible if we all work together, regardless where you came from and how you treat this place, and if you treat this place as home, let\u2019s all work together as one people,\u201d he sai.<\/p>\n

Nakisha Celis, 2024 Liberation Day Queen candidate, told Saipan Tribune<\/em> that so far, just being involved, she has personally learned so much about history, especially during the Battle of Saipan and Tinian ceremony that morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring. From all the speeches I heard, there was some stuff that I didn\u2019t know about, and I\u2019m glad that I learned about it because it\u2019s my culture and history too and the others as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trisha Ramangmou, a resident of Susupe, also shared with Saipan Tribune<\/em> her thoughts on the event. \u201cThis event is very much honoring our history. It really resembles the past and how it progressed from then until now, showing how we can all came together to really appreciate and honor everyone and everything that has made us what we are today. I really do think because in order to keep the island alive, the people alive, you should also keep your culture and history alive. too. To represent and to tell others our story, even the ones that may not be part of your culture.\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In a conversation with Delbert Pua, chairman of this year\u2019s Liberation Day committee under the Office of the Mayor of Saipan, he shared it was rewarding to see the event come together, and thanked the committee for their hard work, as well as the government agencies, private sector, and community members that made the event possible.<\/p>\n

Pua shared that he hopes through the event, many will walk away with a better understanding of the Battle of Saipan and Tinian and the liberation from Camp Susupe.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonally, honestly, this is the right time because not a lot of the adults younger than us, they\u2019re not knowledgeable about what happened back in 1944 and 1946. Unfortunately, our great-grandparents at that time, they never shared their war stories with us because it was very emotional and some of them took it personally where they don\u2019t just share it with the young generation.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that retaining history was key to moving forward. \u201cFor me, as a young person, which I\u2019m spearheading the Office of Youth Affairs, this is the time where I want to have this public awareness for our young generation to keep commemorating this 80th Battle of Saipan and Tinian and 78th Liberation Day because they\u2019re important. This is a kick-starter for our economy, especially with our challenges today financially. This is an attraction to our tourism. I hope one day our leaders wake up and properly erect a monument for this anniversary of the Battle of Saipan and the liberation of Camp Susupe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pua told Saipan Tribune that the Liberation Day grounds will be open every Friday to Sunday until July 6. On Fridays and Saturdays the carnival grounds will be opened from 6pm to 11pm, and on Sundays it will be from 6pm to 10pm. The only exception would be on July 2, as the grounds will be open for the 2024 Liberation Day Queen coronation. Other than that, Pua said the community can look forward to great food and performances at the carnival grounds and also the 4th of July Parade being in the same spot as before since road construction is set to be completed by then.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was given the favorable response from the Department of Public Works that the target date for this road project is sometime June 22.\u201d he said. \u201cYes, and hopefully this will not fluctuate our July 4th event…we will have the parade in the same route as last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Lawmakers pose for a photo with Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas \u201cRB\u201d Camacho, members of the 2024 Liberation Day Committee, visiting World War II veteran families, 2024 Liberation Day Queen candidates, and current crown holder 2019 Liberation Day Queen Pernalynn Borja Camacho during the opening ceremony of the 78th Liberation Day Festivities last Saturday at the Garapan Fishing Base.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
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