He and his wife Rhonda arrived on Saipan on Saturday morning.
In his remarks, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi serves as a lifetime reminder of the sacrifices many have paid in the name of freedom, liberty and justice.
“It is often said that freedom is not free. Today we remember with gratitude our departed heroes who gave their lives in pursuit of our freedom and security. We remember those who have died as we reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day,” Fitial said.
The fallen heroes, he added, have become “teachers who taught us what it means to serve in the name of duty and honor.”
“We will not forget the services of those who are no longer with us, those who laid the foundation of where we stand today,” Fitial said.
“May we never take for granted the freedom that we have today. We cannot pay the full measure of the sacrifices of our loved ones and the very least we can do is honor their memory and treasure the liberty they bought for us with their lives,” he added.
Flowers for heroes
Rhonda Fingal, American Memorial Park Ranger Nancy Kelchner, Special Assistant for Administration Esther Fleming, and JROTC instructor Joaquin O. Kiyoshi laid flowers on the graves of the CNMI’s heroes as a special tribute.
Twelve of the 30 buried in the cemetery died in action, while 18 others were veterans.
Evelyn Borja, daughter of the late MSgt. Norman Harris Powell of the Air Force who fought in Vietnam, said they always visit the cemetery in Marpi.
Her father died on July 22, 2005.
Putting fresh flowers on her husband Malcolm Charles Weidner’s grave, Rita Torres Weidner said they transferred her husband’s remains to the Veterans Cemetery from San Diego on March 23, 2010.
“My husband was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007. He passed away on March 6 this year,” Mrs. Weidner said.
A B-52 from the 36th Wing of Andersen Air Force Base on Guam flew over the cemetery at exactly 9 a.m. yesterday.
The Pacific Winds Concert Band and the Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray Band provided the ceremonial music for the occasion.
A 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the heroes by the members of the 386th Military Police, 442nd Infantry, 302nd Quarter Master U.S Army Reserve.
