A flyover conducted by the U.S. Air Force, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron/94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron kicked off this year’s ceremony.
The U.S. and CNMI colors were posted and retired by the U.S. Army Reserve Echo Company, 9th Mission Support Command, E CO, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment.
The national and CNMI anthems were sung by Gus Kaipat, followed by an invocation by Diocese of Chalan Kanoa Bishop Ryan Jimenez.
The opening remarks were given by CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs executive officer and Air Force veteran Stanley Iakopo while Saipan mayor and decorated combat veteran David M. Apatang delivered the keynote address.
“You are the reason that the United States of America is the world’s most powerful nation,” he said, referring to the veterans.
As a U.S. Army soldier in the 1960s, Apatang saw action in the Vietnam War as part of America’s mission to protect an ally, South Vietnam, and to resist the spread of Communism into the rest of Southeast Asia.
CNMI officials, veterans, family and other community members pose for a photo at the Court of Honor on Veterans Day. Photo by K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
“I am here today because of the core principle that each of the soldiers in the division I was in held firmly to heart: to survive the harsh environment in Vietnam and the hissing bullets rocketing in our direction. I put myself in front of my fellow soldiers and they did the same for me,” Apatang said.
The phrase “I got your back,” he said, “was the unspoken innate altruistic value that soldiers held onto to bravely and unselfishly give their lives for the nation. Military deployments pierce our hearts, souls, and minds.”
The mayor added that honoring the nation’s roughly 20 million veterans on a designated federal holiday is fittingly patriotic.
“To all veterans, despite the challenges our nation is facing today, we assure you that we got your back. Those of us who still have the energy to pursue what is due to all veterans will remain your voices — loud voices — to our policymakers in the nation’s capital. Your [well-being] and peace must be the agenda among many and the basis for our marching orders to improve the services you so much are entitled to, from healthcare that you do not have to wait to receive, to affordable prescription drugs, to financial support that means you can afford to keep a roof [over] your head,” he said.
The mayor at the same time thanked all veterans and their families for their service and countless sacrifices.
“To the veterans who have seen the ugliness of combat and have lost comrades in arms or have been injured, Veterans Day is and should be every day. Happy Veterans Day!” Mayor Apatang said in closing.
A wreath was laid by Mayor Apatang, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao, and Senate President Victor B. Hocog at the Court of Honor. Joining them were members of the 21st Legislature, the CNMI judiciary, other dignitaries, veterans, military families, as well as bagpipe player Sam Sosa.
The ceremony included a 21-gun salute fired by the U.S. Army Reserve Echo Company, 9th Mission Support Command, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment.
Ceremonial music was performed by the Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band and the closing remarks were given by CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs program coordinator Vivian Taitano.
“It was good to come together on this particular day,” retired Sgt. 1st Class Albert Lujan told Variety. “I know it means a lot to people, especially here in the CNMI, for us to come together, even though we’re under [Covid-19 restrictions], and take a moment to appreciate something from our history. It was just really great to see,” he said, referring to the ceremony.
