By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

There is now a street in Tanapag named after Staff Sgt. Wilgene Tudela Lieto who spent his younger days in that village.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela led the unveiling of the street sign on the former Apinomw Avenue during a ceremony yesterday.
Lieto and another CNMI soldier, Army Spc. Jeff Terrence Jack, 32, were killed in action in Iraq in Oct. 2005.There is also a street named after Jack in Garapan.
Lieto would have turned 30 yesterday.
Between sobs, Lieto’s mother Julie said the street’s location is very meaningful to them because the area had been part of her son’s life.
“We lived on the other side of the street and were part of the community here — he grew up here and he went to (Tanapag Elementary School) right behind us,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to Tudela, and the other government officials who joined in the dedication ceremony.
These included House Minority Leader Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan; Rep. Candido B. Taman, R-Saipan, Saipan Municipal Council chairwoman Marian DLG. Tudela; and Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Clyde K. Norita, a former Precinct 4 House member.
Mayor Tudela said the street “will always remind us of our late son and brother on the battlefield and of his unselfish sacrifice for freedom.”
Palacios said the street is a reminder that people have a responsibility to stand up and fight “for what we believe in.”
“S/Sgt. Lieto was a valuable member of community and his name will remind us forever of his sacrifice,” he said.
Taman said he has been asked whether re-naming streets is important in the face of the CNMI’s worsening economic problems.
He said his answer was “yes.”
Changing street signs, he added, “is not going to cost us much money while it allows us to honor deserving individuals” like S/Sgt. Lieto
S/Sgt. Lieto and Specialist Jack were deployed in Iraq with Company E of the 442 Infantry’s 100th Battalion.
S/Sgt. Lieto left behind his wife, Tiara, and their four children — Kalia, 4, Wilgene Christopher II, 5, Wilgene Peter, 13, and Devin, 10.