THREE local veterans on Monday expressed their gratitude to the leaders and people of the CNMI for honoring them.
“It’s a very good day today,” said Juan A. Camacho as he was assisted by American Memorial Park Lead Ranger Brooke Nevitt during the Veterans Day commemoration at the Court of Honor at around noon on Monday.
Camacho served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division and was deployed to Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.
He said he was pleased with Monday’s event. It was outstanding, he added, and all he could say was, “I thank everyone.”
Juan C. Reyes, another retired U.S. Army sergeant who was deployed to Vietnam in 1972, was teary eyed as he said, “I am very proud today.” He said it was an honor to be recognized as a veteran.
Antonio Guerrero, who served with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, said he was proud of his father, Bernardo Guerrero, a World War II veteran.
Antonio Guerrero was sent to the Dominican Republic as part of a peacekeeping force in the 1960s. Afterward, he saw action in Vietnam where he and other 82nd Airborne servicemembers were called the “sky soldiers.”
“I feel that I accomplished my duty to serve my country and protect our freedom as a soldier. I felt that I’ve done something for my country,” Antonio Guerrero said.
“And my dad is also honored today. I feel so honored because I never thought I would follow [in] the footsteps of my father,” who served as a U.S. Marine scout during World War II.
Antonio Guerrero, who was U.S. Army paratrooper, points to the picture of his father Bernardo Guerrero, a member of the U.S. Marine scouts during World War II.
Juan A. Camacho, a retired U.S. Army sergeant, is assisted by American Memorial Park Lead Ranger Brooke Nevitt during the Veterans Day commemoration on Monday.
Juan Reyes, a retired U.S. Army soldier, poses for a photo during the Veterans Day ceremony at American Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
