CNMI Military/Veterans Affairs Office Executive Director Ruth Coleman said that the first group will arrive today, while the second group will be here on Saturday.
Coleman said each group will have from two to four veterans but they will be coming with family members, friends and relatives.
On Sunday morning, Coleman said an “adopt-a-veteran” program will be conducted in which local families will invite the veterans to their homes and host lunch for them.
From 1 to 3:30 p.m. on the same day, Coleman said the veterans will join a seminar with educators and professionals at American Memorial Park’s Visitors Center.
At 4 p.m. on Sunday, Coleman said a ceremony will be held at the Court of Honor where Rear Adm. William D. French, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, will be the keynote speaker.
Coleman said incoming local Veterans of Foreign Wars commander Larry Guerrero will present medals to the returning veterans during the ceremony.
The veterans will be treated to a sunset dinner cruise after the ceremony.
Coleman said three of the five veterans residing on Saipan will be joining the ceremony. They are Manual Villagomez, Nicolas Muna and Santiago Babauta.
While on island, Coleman said the veterans and their families will tour Saipan and Tinian.
The veterans will also join a “campfire chat,” she added.
