GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres has proclaimed Wednesday, Sept. 1 as Commonwealth Day of Prayer, in honor of the U.S. military servicemembers who have served in Afghanistan, as well as to remember the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kabul which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. servicemembers and at least 90 Afghans.
“Over the last 20 years, men and women of the CNMI answered the call of our country to serve in operations within Afghanistan,” the governor said. “I have met many who have returned from service in Afghanistan. They have enrolled in Northern Marianas College, entered back into our private sector workforce, and many are currently continuing to serve the public as members of the CNMI government workforce.”
He added, “There are those who answered the call to serve our nation that never returned home. In the national conversation, many are asking whether these sacrifices have been worth it. While I cannot speak to the individual struggles of each of our brave service members, we can all agree that the entire Commonwealth is proud of their service to our country and their commitment to the goals and ideals of our great nation.”
The governor said he has spoken to those who have served about the end of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
“The emotions are mixed and there is no single sentiment that is shared by all. However, as a community we should commemorate these brave servicemembers and acknowledge that their contributions to our nation will never be forgotten,” he said.
“These past several years have been trying for the Commonwealth, with natural disasters and a global pandemic, and through it our country has been a lifeline for our continued recovery. Our citizenship comes with benefits and responsibilities, and the greatest responsibility of placing our lives on the front line for the ideals of this nation has been shouldered on the brave men and women who have and continue to serve in our nation’s military. I thank them and will continue to pray for them and their families as we look to the end of this long engagement in Afghanistan.”
“As a community,” he added, “we should commemorate these brave servicemembers and acknowledge that their contributions to our nation will never be forgotten. With so much still ongoing, and with many of our brothers and sisters still in service, I am calling on our community to join in prayer and commemoration for all our men and women who have served and continue to serve in our nation’s military. I invite the community to join in the commemoration of our servicemembers during this time.”
The governor said with the support of Bishop Ryan Jimenez and the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs, there will be universal prayers throughout September, beginning with a 6 p.m. Mass at Mount Carmel Cathedral on Wednesday.
The public is invited to participate and is encouraged to observe the Commonwealth Day of Prayer with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in their house of worship and communities.
Furthermore, as a mark of solemn respect for the life and service of the U.S. servicemembers and victims of the terrorist attacks in Kabul, Governor Torres has ordered that the CNMI and U.S. flags will be flown at half-staff at the administration and all public buildings, instrumentalities, and grounds within the Commonwealth until sunset Wednesday.
