By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE islands’ newest hero, Pvt. First Class Victor Michael Fontanilla, will be the honored on Memorial Day next week.
Military Liaison and Veterans Affairs Office executive officer Ruth A. Coleman said the Tinian serviceman’s name is already listed in the handbook that will be distributed to participants and guests during the Memorial Day commemoration that will be held for the first time at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on May 28.
Fontanilla was killed in a blast while he and other U.S. troops were conducting a routine mission in Iraq on May 17.
Yesterday, Coleman and other CNMI veterans attended the proclamation signing for Memorial Week in the governor’s office on Capital Hill. They were joined by Ben Murphy, Willy Jones and Jamie Cunsman — crewmembers of the pre-positioning ship squadron.
Four U.S. Army reservists, two cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, CNMI cabinet officials and some lawmakers also attended the proclamation signing.
U.S. Coast Guard Academy Cadet Kristy Dela Cruz Torres helped Gov. Benigno R. Fitial read the proclamation which stated that “by honoring these proud soldiers…lost through out our country’s history, we renew our commitment to upholding the democratic ideals they fought and died to preserve. The noble sacrifices of our service men and women will not be forgotten. Every name, every life is a loss to our military to our nation and to their loved ones.”