NMI Military Veterans Affairs Office Director Ruth Coleman told the Variety yesterday that the postponement was due to the mechanical problems of the chartered plane.
“The troops are still in their headquarters in Fort Hood, Texas, and they are expected to be here within 48 to 72 hours, or until Tuesday,” Coleman said.
“We will get more information today and we will update everyone,” she said.
The troops were supposed to arrive at 11 p.m. on Friday, but it was postponed to 1 p.m. yesterday.
Coleman said the welcoming activities remain the same.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is set to deliver a welcoming address to the servicemembers who had been deployed to Kuwait in July last year.
The troops were flown to the U.S. mainland on Aug. 13 after they completed their one-year assignment in Kuwait.
Coleman is inviting the public to join them in welcoming the troops.
“I would like to ask the spouses, family members and relatives of the soldiers to be patient in waiting for their loved-ones because these delays cannot be avoided,” she said.
She added that the family members can have quality time with the soldiers as soon as they arrive.
The local Veterans of Foreign Wars led by their president and commander Larry Guerrero and District 6 commander for the Pacific Mariano Fajardo have posted welcoming banners at the airport and pinned huge yellow ribbons at the trees along Airport Road.
The VFW has invited the public to join the group in welcoming the soldiers back home.
