‘Never leave a veteran behind’

“JUST as our men and women in service made a commitment never to leave a soldier behind, we have an obligation never to leave a veteran behind,” Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Michael S. Sablan said in his Veterans Day keynote address Thursday at the American Memorial Park Court of Honor.

Numerous CNMI officials, veterans, military families, and other community members attended the ceremony to pay tribute to all veterans and servicemembers.

Sablan began his keynote address by reading a message from Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth: “As a nation we must ensure that the service and sacrifice of our veterans is never overlooked or forgotten. On Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women from all walks of life who have stepped forward to defend our nation.”

“I am indeed especially humbled to speak to you this morning because I am not a veteran,” Sablan said. “I am a brother to one who served proudly and like many of us in our community, I am a close relative and a friend to many who did raise their hand to serve. Though I never served, perhaps it is appropriate that those of us who benefited from the sacrifices of those who did serve to protect our freedoms should speak on this occasion. I think it is important that our veterans and our families know the immense appreciation felt by those like me who did not put on the uniform.”

He added, “So today, as we do every year on the 11th hour, 11th day of the 11th month, we take a moment to pause and honor our veterans. We owe our freedoms, the freedoms we enjoy today, to the veterans who fought and sacrificed to protect and preserve them. On this Veterans Day and every day, let us remind ourselves, let us never forget that the way of life we enjoy today is only possible from the great sacrifices of the men and women who have fought and continue to fight to preserve and protect us. The service and the sacrifices they and their families endured for our benefit is a debt that we can never repay.”

Sablan said, “There are no words that I can say to sufficiently honor their service, but while we can only accept that we can never repay our debt, we must also recognize that there are opportunities that we can endeavor to try to repay by continuing to assist our veterans on their return to civilian life in our community.”

He then acknowledged the work done by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, and CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Stanley T. Iakopo to assist veterans.

“We all know that for far too long, our veterans in the insular areas have been underserved and we must continue to advocate to correct this inequity,” Michael S. Sablan said, noting the recent arrivals of a number of veterans counselors, such as veterans benefit counselor Willie Peterson III.

“I encourage all our veterans and your families to learn more about these benefits. Contact your veterans affairs office. Visit your local providers.”

Michael S. Sablan said in the more than 35 years of his career, he has had the privilege of working alongside proud veterans who have proven to be among the most outstanding and inspiring employees, including Triple J board chair and chief executive officer Robert H. Jones.

“As a community, I know we all find great pride in the many other veterans who have also returned, transitioned back to civilian life and taken on important positions in government and the private sector. The list is very long and impressive and a great source of pride for all of us. Many in fact are here in our presence today, contributing back and involved in all sectors of our community. Thank you, veterans, for your service after military,” he added.

He said additional programs to assist veterans are underway as the U.S. Congress seeks to expand services for the insular areas, including a bill to establish the Insular Veterans Advisory Board, which would provide a critical platform from which insular areas can articulate and pursue further improvements in the delivery of services for all its veterans.

“On behalf of a very grateful and proud community, I thank you veterans for your service. May God bless you, your families, and your loved ones. May God bless our great Commonwealth. May God bless the United States of America,” he said in closing.

Also delivering remarks were Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Stanley T. Iakopo and OVA program coordinator Ramon S. Basa.

The master of ceremonies was John DLR Gonzalez.

The Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band performed ceremonial music, and Roman Tudela Jr. sang the national and CNMI anthems.

Bishop Ryan Jimenez delivered an invocation.

Just before noon, a flyover was performed by the U.S. Air Force, C-17, 535th Airlift Squadron.

Governor Torres, Lt. Governor Palacios, other officials, veterans, and military family members laid the wreaths while Taps was played by Justin Xu Poon, SrA.

The posting and retiring of the colors were conducted by Department of Public Safety officers.

A ceremony was also held on Tinian, hosted by the mayor’s office, and attended by island’s officials, veterans, military family members, and residents

Justin Xu Poon, SrA, far left, plays the Taps while CNMI officials, veterans, military officials, their families and other community members look on at the Court of Honor of American Memorial Park on Thursday, Veterans Day.