Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Tom, chief of staff of the U.S. Pacific Command, and Gov. Benigno Fitial paid tribute to the nation’s heroes of the past and present.
“I come to honor the veterans, the past and the present, for exhibiting the spirit of honor, duty and country,” Tom said.
He was the keynote speaker during yesterday’s ceremony.
Anthony Praxel, a member of the 313th Bomb Wing’s 99th Bomb Squadron, Marianas Scouts Manuel “Tun Kiyu” S. Villagomez and Nicolas “Tun Colas” Q. Muna received their medallions at the Court of Honor from the governor and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3457 Commander Mariano Fajardo.
The relatives of Marine Scouts Santiago M. Babauta, Antonio C. Tenorio and Ignacio M. Sablan received the medallions on their behalf.
Villagomez, Muna, Babauta, Tenorio and Sablan are among the 64 Marianas Scout who are still alive today.
Praxel, now 83, traveled half the world from Berlin with his wife, Donna, not only to receive his medallion but also to visit the island for the first time in more than 60 years.
“During the war, I was on Tinian. I went from Guam to Tinian but I never did get to visit Saipan,” he said.
He said it was “wonderful being on Saipan for the first time and witnessing the tremendous show of patriotism” of the local people.
“I wish every state in the U.S. had this kind of patriotism and paid this much attention to the veterans,” he said.
Praxel was a member of a B-29 crew and saw action in five bombing sorties.
He wants to go back to Tinian.
Flanked by their children and other relatives, Villagomez and Muna sat alongside Praxel as they watched the commemoration program at the park.
Villagomez was among the locals recruited to help U.S. Marines clear the islands of remaining Japanese soldiers.
Muna said Marianas Scouts helped convince Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender to the American soldiers.
Vietnam War veteran Frank G. Cepeda said he appreciates the honor bestowed on the nation’s veterans.
“Words could hardly explain how special I feel right now as I remember all the sacrifices we endured for the freedom that we are now enjoying,” the former lawmaker said.
According to Maj. Gen. Stephen Tom, there are 71 CNMI servicemembers stationed in Kuwait.
They are members of the 100th Battalion of the 442nd Infantry.
As in the past, Tom said, NMI servicemembers are doing a great service to their country.
“We should be grateful for what they are doing,” he added.
Cepeda, for his part, said the people who abuse freedom are those who have never done anything to fight for it, “and that what makes me feel hurt.”
Cepeda was one of the Green Berets who saw action behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War.
