THE CNMI joined the nation in commemorating the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S.
Members of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the Transportation Security Administration, United Airlines, and rental car agencies at the airport waved miniature U.S. flags on Saturday morning at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, greeting a long motorcade of first responders and their families and friends while honoring the close to 3,000 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
The motorcade, which began and ended at American Memorial Park, included the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
Among the flag-wavers was TSA manager Henry Litulumar from the CNMI who has been with the agency for 20 years.
It was from the 9/11 tragedy that the TSA was born, tasked with protecting the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.
Litulumar said it means a lot to him and the TSA agents to be able to protect their community members in this way.
“What went on during 9/11 was an unexpected life change for [most] of us, and some of us took it upon ourselves to work for TSA just to protect the traveling public,” he said.
Prior to the fateful day, Litulumar worked full-time for what is now known as U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, he was among the first to be a part of the roll-out of TSA, and has been working since then, meeting the traveling public face-to-face and ensuring their safety while they travel.
For her part, CPA Board Chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds said that the events of 9/11 single-handedly changed the landscape and infrastructure of all airports, including the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.
“Security measures were put in place. A lot of the challenges that we have today with regards to the infrastructure are because of those changes. That was a very tragic, tumultuous event in mankind’s history, and I think it’s important, aside and separate from the infrastructure discussion, to take time out and to remember, so that we don’t forget, and so that we can play a part in preventing a situation like that from ever happening again,” she said.
A U.S. flag waves at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on Saturday morning.
Transportation Security Administration agents, including Henry Litulumar, far right, who has been with the agency since its roll-out, pose for a photo on Saturday morning.
United Airlines agents pose for a photo on Saturday morning.
A motorcade participant waves from the driver’s seat of his vehicle, adorned with the U.S. flag and photos of a fallen veteran.
