MEMORIAL Day, held this year on May 26, commemorated the nation’s women and men who’ve passed on after fighting for our country and freedom.
The island’s Memorial Day ceremony was held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi. Gov. Arnold Palacios, Lt. Gov. David Apatang, other government officials, and distinguished guests joined the families and friends of the CNMI’s fallen heroes.
The Manta Ray Battalion, the Saipan Southern High School JROTC’s award-winning cadets, also participated in the ceremony.
The cadets were up bright and early, arriving at the Veterans Cemetery at 7 a.m. to assist in setting up before the ceremony began.
Cadets placed individual U.S. and CNMI flags and flower bouquets on the gravestones of the fallen heroes. They also distributed copies of the event program and bottled water to those who gathered at the cemetery.
C/MAJ Miyiel Baculod and C/CPT Sherlyn Beltran, assisted the governor and lieutenant governor with the laying of the wreath.
Members of the Manta Ray Battalion Color Guard were called upon to present the colors during the singing of the U.S. and CNMI anthems, which were performed by the Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band.
Before the ceremony ended, the cadets were called up again to retire the colors.
The color guard team was commanded by C/LTC Jolash Saluta, who held the U.S. flag. With him were C/CSM Mathew Salas, who held the CNMI flag; the left guard, C/CPT Jonah Socorro; and the right guard, C/SSG Christian Tenorio.
The Manta Ray Battalion’s cadets and their senior Army instructor, CSM (Ret.) Richard Basa are grateful and honored to have been able to take part and assist in this year’s observance of Memorial Day at the Veterans Cemetery on Saipan.
The SSHS Manta Ray Battalion cadets pose for a group photo at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025.
Manta Ray Battalion photo
Manta Ray cadets place individual U.S. and CNMI flags on the gravestones of fallen heroes.
C/MAJ Miyiel Baculod and C/CPT Sherlyn Beltran assist the governor and lieutenant governor with the laying of the wreath.
The Manta Ray Battalion Color Guard team was commanded by C/LTC Jolash Saluta who held the U.S flag. With him were C/CSM Mathew Salas, who held the CNMI flag; the left guard, C/CPT Jonah Socorro; and the right guard, C/SSG Christian Tenorio.
