By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

GOVERNOR Benigno R. Fitial says servicemembers from the CNMI will continue to serve their country, but hopes that their sacrifices will not be in vain.
“As the governor of the CNMI, as the chief executive of our commonwealth government, I do not send young men and women to war in distant lands. I do not order soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to put their lives at risk in war. That is not my role. That is the responsibility of the United States government,” said the governor in his speech yesterday at the Mount Carmel Cathedral before the interment of Marine Lance Cpl. Adam Emul.
Emul, 19, died in Iraq’s Anbar province on Jan. 29, after a hidden bomb exploded while his squad was on foot patrol.
“The federal policymakers in Washington decide when Americans go to war and when the wars will end,” the governor said. “We as American citizens, dutifully follow. And here in the CNMI, we follow with pride and without complaint…. We go when called. We are proud to go and serve our country.”
But the governor, quoting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs David Cohen, noted that the CNMI does not enjoy the same rights as other U.S. territories.
The Northern Marianas remains the only insular area without a delegate to the U.S. Congress.
Fitial expressed the hope that the deaths of Emul and the four other servicemembers from the CNMI will not be in vain.
“As governor, I have no control over the actions of the U.S. Congress, whether they will grant us a seat at the table of American democracy or not, but I do know that our boys will continue to fight and die for American policy objectives in Iraq and around the world, wherever they may be called into action,” said Fitial.
“And I do know that our local community will continue to support our troops as loyal and patriotic Americans, in much the same way that second generation Japanese-Americans served during World War II. And in the end, I believe America will be just and that the sacrifices of our boys will not have been in vain,” he added.
Emul is the first CNMI casualty in Iraq to be buried at the federally funded Veterans Cemetery on Saipan, according to Military and Veterans Affairs Office Director Ruth Coleman.
The remains of Army Spc. Leroy Apatang Camacho who was killed in action on Feb. 9 in Iraq, have not arrived on island.
Despite the rain yesterday, hundreds of residents from all walks of life, including former Gov. Carlos S. Camacho, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez, Rep. Ray N. Yumul — an Iraq war veteran — and Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero showed up for Emul’s funeral.
Emul was given full military honors and was awarded the Purple Heart.
National and commonwealth flags were given to his parents, sister and brother in recognition of his heroic deed in Iraq.
Emul’s family said they are thankful for the community support.
“I’m speechless right now,” said Emul’s brother, Frankie Quitugua.