Halloran passed away on June 7.
Despite a short notice, Jerold Facey of the Prior Service was able to gather those who knew the war veteran and those who wish to celebrate his legacy.
According to Facey, Halloran had made no fewer than six visits to Saipan between 1994 and 2008.
“Each time he came we went to one of the parking areas for B-29’s at Isley Field and he talked about the chaplains who used to stand at the end of the runways and blessed each B-29 as it lifted off for its flight to Japan,” recalled Facey.
Among those who attended the ceremony honoring Halloran were Gordon Marciano of PDI, Ranger Susan Fishman-Tudor and husband Dr. Ed Tudor, Randy Harper, Marilyn Swift, Jeff Schorr, Jim Kirby, MVA Managing Director Perry V. Tenorio, Irene Facey and Ruth Coleman.
The attendees brought and lit candles and offered a prayer for the departed veteran.
Dr. Tudor played “Amazing Grace” while Fishman-Tudor recited a poem titled “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee Jr.
Interior field representative Schorr said, “It is an honor to have had a chance to hear, meet and speak with, on his several visits to the CNMI, a remarkable and wonderful representative of ‘The Greatest Generation,’ as many of his age have been called. Hap was a humble, down-to-earth man, who did his World War II duty. He suffered dearly. He survived. He had to deal with the post-war aftermath. And he overcame hatred in the best tradition of forgiveness. He was a true American hero. All who had a chance to know him, in the commonwealth and on the mainland, knew this. We salute Hap Halloran for the extra measure of devotion he gave his fellow man and country.”
Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry Tenorio, who was present at the commemoration ceremony for Halloran at the airport said, “I really did not have the opportunity to visit with him like some of our local residents. But from what I heard and read about Mr. Halloran, the thing that stands out most through his life experience is the truth of time being a great healer.”
Outgoing Military and Veterans Affairs Officer Ruth Coleman had this to share: “Hap is one patriot who does not consider himself a hero, but a citizen who is doing what any service member would do. He is a hero. He survived an ordeal and lived to talk about it, much later in life. Through his experience we are learning and growing to care for our veterans and service members in their health and other benefit delivery. He had the courage and tenacity to fight for our freedom. It was a hard battle for him and his crew, but one that we can learn from. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends here and at home. Thank you Hap and rest well my comrade.”
Dr. Tudor played “Auld Lang Syne” and the taps that signaled for Facey to uncork bottles of wine, gave everyone a cup, and proposed a toast to the guy who had endeared himself to the Marianas.
