THE unveiling of a mural that depicts the theme of this year’s Liberation Day celebration was among the highlights of the first day of the festivities at the Garapan Fishing Base on Saturday evening.
The island also welcomed its special guests: Jack Padley, William Michels and Dave Knisley. Their fathers were among the U.S. servicemembers who saw action in the Battle of Saipan 80 years ago. Padley, Michels and Knisley led the reenactment of the U.S. landing at invasion beach in the Civic Center area at 8 a.m. Saturday.
The opening day went well as planned, according to 78th Liberation Day Committee Chair Delbert Pua. He said the Department of Public Works also assured the committee that the asphalt-paving on the stretch of Beach Road from Quartermaster Road to Garapan Fishing Base will be done by June 22, 2024. That portion of Beach Road will be the Liberation Day parade route.
On Saturday, Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho led the unveiling of the mural, which was drawn by the Saipan Mayor’s Office project specialist, Kenneth F. Viray. The mural, which served as the stage backdrop at the Liberation Day festival grounds, depicts a Spanish galleon symbolizing the past, and a modern cruise ship representing the present. At the center is the image of a latte stone, which serves as “a silent witness in the passing of time in the islands that would become the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.”
This year’s Liberation Day theme is “Honoring Memories of the Past with Moments of Today.”
In his remarks, Mayor RB called upon all the members of the diverse community of Saipan to work together because “we are stronger if we all work together.”
He added, “There’s a lot of pressing issues affecting all of us here in the CNMI, but we are the type of people who can stand up because we all work together and that is what we need to continue in this community. Working together. I’ll bet you that there’s nothing impossible if we all work together regardless of where you came from. If you treat this island your home, let’s all work together as one people. Let’s make this Liberation Day celebration one of the best.”
In remarks, Pua said, “I want to remind our young generation today that liberty and freedom are not free. … 78 years ago, liberty and freedom were paid for, and earned through patience and sacrifices.”
Committee Vice Chair Edmond H. Borja, in his closing remarks, said: “May this Liberation Day continue to empower and educate our children and may we be able to properly identify those historical sites so that monuments can be rightfully built for visitors abroad to help us rebuild our economy for tourism purposes and to continue celebrating the commemoration of those who fought in the Pacific war.”
He likewise thanked the members of the U.S. military, past and present, and those working in the government and the private sector “to make the CNMI strong.”
He also congratulated the 78th Liberation Day grand marshal, Pete JL Igitol, and the CNMI delegation that was participating in the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The benediction was led by Father James Balajadia. The Selepeo Brothers sang the U.S. and the CNMI anthems while the Kagman High School JROTC cadets posted and retired the colors.
Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho, right, led the unveiling of the 78th Liberation Day mural during the opening of the festivities at the Garapan Fishing Base on Saturday.
78th Liberation Day Committee Chair Delbert Pua delivers his opening remarks.
Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho delivers his remarks.
