From left, Saipan mayor’s chief of staff Priscilla Iakopo, KKMP radio host Gary Sword, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho and PDI managing director Gordon Marciano pose for a group photo.
THE 80th anniversary of the Battle of Saipan will be commemorated on Saturday, June 15 with a series of events that include a wreath-laying ceremony, a motorcade and speeches to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II.
The event will also recognize the 80 years of peace in the CNMI since the Battle of Saipan, which took place from June 15 to July 9, 1944, according to the organizing committee whose members include Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, KKMP radio host Gary Sword, and PDI managing director Gordon Marciano.
The event will be held in collaboration with the Veterans Affairs Office, the Marianas Visitors Authority and American Memorial Park.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Marciano said, “Events like these bring together military veterans on both sides. … It brings them closure and peace. These events bring together our Japanese and our American brothers and sisters … and that is my takeaway from working with them.”
Mayor Camacho said, “We want the young generation to learn about the Battle of Saipan. We have a lot of speakers.”
Camacho added, “And also to recognize the Marianas Marine Scouts and their contributions in the Battle of Saipan. … I would also like to recognize former Gov. Juan Babauta. During his time as Washington representative he pushed the U.S. Congress to recognize the Marianas Marine Scouts.”
There will be a reenactment of the U.S. landing at the Veterans Memorial at the Civic Center beach on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. This will be followed by a motorcade to American Memorial Park “where we will march to the Court of Honor,” Camacho said.
“There will be a flyby by 10 a.m. and we’re expecting a lot of top ranking military officials coming. We also have about six speakers to talk about the Battle of Saipan and what transpired back then,” the mayor added.
Sword said the speakers include Barbara Alberti, superintendent, National Park Service; Keone Nakoa, deputy assistant secretary of insular and international affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior; Mark Hashimoto, major general (retired)/executive director, Marine Forces Pacific; Brig. Gen. John Jarrard, commanding general, 4th Marine Division; Don Farrell, educator, local historian and renowned author; Consul General Ryoji Takagaki of Japan; and CNMI Gov. Arnold I. Palacios.
Sword said the Battle of Saipan “changed the Pacific and its trajectory, from a place where we fight to a place where we celebrate peace.”
According to Marciano, “When you wake up on the 14th and see a lot of ships in the Saipan lagoon don’t be shocked — there’s no war. From June 15 to July 4, there will be ships coming and going. … We’re working with the Marines at Camp Blaz in Guam, we’re also working with the U.S. Coast Guard. They’re bringing one of their cutters on that day. A lot of functions, a lot of things are going on to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Saipan.”
“This event is a big exposure for the CNMI, and I am inviting the community to come and participate in the event,” Mayor Camacho said.
