AT the 8th We Will Never Forget: Field of Heroes event held late Monday afternoon in Garapan, CNMI government officials, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, and community members honored first responders, the military, and those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
“This is really such a privilege that we are able to do this for eight years,” said Tan Holding’s CEO Jerry Tan.
It began with a “Freedom Walk” of first responders and fire and EMS personnel marching from the Carolinian Utt area to the American Memorial Park Court of Honor and Flag Circle.
There, dozens of American flags were displayed.
“The flags are there for a reason as you know — it’s not just to beautify the park,” Tan said, adding that the flags and the ceremony itself were a way to honor the daily sacrifices of CNMI first responders.
“Whenever we have a typhoon, whenever there’s an earthquake, there’s fire — it is the first responders that are running in and trying to save lives. And some of them will actually sacrifice their lives as a result of that,” Tan said.
He thanked Catherine Attao-Toves, Tan Holdings vice president for corporate affairs and human resources, for “brainstorming” the event eight years ago and coordinating it since then.
In his remarks, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said: “The unprecedented act of violence committed [on Sept. 11, 2001] was meant to disrupt our way of life, destroy the fabric of what makes America a great nation, challenge the resilience of the American spirit, and sow division and cause suffering in our community. But instead, the opposite happened — the tragic act committed on September 11th instead served as a catalyst to unite all Americans from Maine to the Marianas.”
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Clement Bermudes, in his address, said 9/11 is a day to reflect on the “many lives we lost that day.” It is also a day to “respect the flag,” and to “reach out to those among us who are silently grieving and suffering from the invisible wounds of trauma and war.”
Bermudes said some military personnel may attempt to harm themselves, and that it’s important to connect with them.
“Mental health is important. We must take the time out of our busy day to truly reflect and look around us and help those that need help,” he said.
Dignitaries then laid a wreath at the Flag Circle, and the event ended with a 21-gun salute and the singing of “God Bless the U.S.A.”
When the ceremony was concluded, Toves said the flags will remain on the Field of Heroes until Sept. 30.
According to a release, on Sept. 12, a We Will Never Forget Ceremony is scheduled for Tinian at the Veterans Memorial Park at 10 a.m.
A ceremony on Rota is scheduled for Sept. 15 at the Leadership Park in Songsong.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and airport firefighters pose for a photo before the start of the Freedom Walk on Monday as part of the 8th We Will Never Forget: Field of Heroes event, which honors the nation’s first responders, military, and those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
The color guard receives a water hose salute upon arrival at American Memorial Park.
Officials and other dignitaries led by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios lay a wreath at American Memorial Park’s Court of Honor and Flag Circle.
Marchers watch as the color guard is saluted by fire hoses.
Sea Cadets march with first responders and fire and emergency services personnel.
Firefighters walk down Beach Road on the way to American Memorial Park.
A portion of the Field of Heroes in Garapan.
The Freedom Walk began in the Carolinian Utt area.
