“Tomorrow, we remember our heroes for their valor, loyalty, and dedication and whose selfless sacrifices continues to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world,” CNMI Military and Veterans Affairs Executive Director Ruth Coleman yesterday said.
She said the CNMI has over 1,200 members.
In addition, there are over 350 local servicemembers deployed to Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle East and other parts of the world.
“The numbers keep growing everyday as more of our citizens join the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, and the ceremony is just our simple way of saying ‘thank you’ to them,” Coleman said.
Tomorrow’s keynote speaker is Col. Daniel J. Settergren, commander of the 36th Contingency Response Group at the Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.
The Pacific Winds Concert Band will provide music during the ceremony which will include a B-52 flyover.
Yesterday, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos signed a proclamation declaring Nov. 9-15 as Veterans Awareness Week.
“We salute their service, honor their sacrifices and honor them for supporting this nation in every hour of need. We acknowledge that freedom’s cost continues long after the guns fall silent,” the proclamation stated.
It added that many of the veterans “bear the disabilities and scars of military service and the families of those who never return from their service live always with a profound sense of loss.”
According to the proclamation, “It is our duty to remember what our veterans have done and to uphold our commitments to them and their families.”
Inos called on everyone to display their flags and participate in patriotic activities.
“I encourage everybody to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers,” he said.
