The group offered flowers and other offerings for their departed loved ones. Group leaders included Bereaved Family United Association representative Susumu Akamine, Okinawa Prepectural Assembly chairman Zenshin Takamine, Micronesian Repatriation Association chairman Zenichi Taira, bereaved family representative Yoshio Miyagi, and Urazoe City Mayor Mitsuo Gima.
Pacific Development Inc. director Gordon Marciano said the group from Okinawa arrived yesterday morning, and will be here until June 3.
Marciano said some members of the group will be visiting Rota for an overnight stay and sightseeing today, while some will be going to Tinian to conduct the 34th annual memorial service at the Tower of Okinawa on the Carolinas Plateau this morning.
Marciano said a lot of the visitors were born in the NMI during the Japanese administration.
“The group is staying at the Hafa Adai Beach Hotel, and we urge the community members to drop by and say hi and extend the Hafa Adai welcome to them. They are from here and would appreciate the warmth we can show them,” Marciano said.
Local residents who participated in Okinawa cultural exchange programs are most welcome.
“This group is responsible for the cultural exchange programs and they would be glad to see the students,” Marciano added.
He said PDI organizes and arranges the group’s visit each year.
In an interview, Mayor Gima said they appreciate the local participation they have been getting from Saipan, not only during the memorial service but also for the maintenance of the Okinawa Peace Memorial.
“We are touched by the friendship the people of Saipan have extended to us over the past years,” Gimo said.
Yesterday’s memorial services were attended by Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, lawmakers, Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry Tenorio and members of the local community.
