REAR Adm. Benjamin Nicholson congratulated Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang on being elected into office, and looks forward to “mutually beneficial solutions.”
Nicholson is the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command representative, U.S. Naval Forces commander for Guam, the CNMI, the FSM, and Palau, and Joint Region Marianas commander.
He, along with other military officials, attended the gubernatorial inaugural ceremony on Saipan on Monday, Jan. 9, and they were also present for the municipal inaugural ceremony on Tinian, Friday, Jan. 13.
“We listen to the elected leadership, both here in Tinian and the government in Saipan that supports all of the CNMI, and we listen to what issues that they have, and if there are concerns, we look for ways we can find mutually beneficial solutions,” said Nicholson.
He also congratulated Apatang on becoming the first military veteran in CNMI history to be elected to the second highest seat in the land.
“We think that it’s great when we see veterans come back after serving in both the military and then generally in the civilian community, [then] take office. They bring an additional perspective that sometimes other folks may not have, so we’re really looking forward to working with the lt. governor,” said Nicholson.
In his inaugural address, Lt. Gov. Apatang said he and Gov. Palacios look forward to enhancing the CNMI’s relationship with the federal government, particularly the U.S. Department of Defense.
Benjamin Nicholson
