SERVICEMEMBERS, veterans, military families, guests, and community members gathered at the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on Monday morning in observance of Memorial Day, to pay tribute to the military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Michael Sablan, Special Assistant for Military Affairs Glenna S. P. Reyes, CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Officer Stanley T. Iakopo, and several other guests.
Following the ceremonial posting of colors led by the Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray JROTC Color Guard, the singing of the National and CNMI anthems by Gus M. Kaipat, and an invocation given by Rev. Fr. Michael Linden, remarks were given by Governor Torres and Lt. Governor Palacios.
“We offer a renewed call towards friendship and peace,” the administration said. “Our fallen heroes have shaped the future of our islands by giving us an opportunity to make the Marianas better for our children and grandchildren. We join our military families to pay tribute to our fallen heroes for their service. Our islands and our country are stronger and safer because of our soldiers and veterans. We will never forget. We will always remember.”
Last week, the administration, joined by various military officials, gathered to proclaim the week of May 24-31, 2021 as CNMI Memorial Week and the month of May as CNMI Military Appreciation Month.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3457 Commander Joe W. McDoulett in his keynote address said: “Across the nation today, communities are joining together like we are here today to remember their fallen loved ones. Here in the NMI, our community has worn the burden of disproportionately large number of our nation’s fallen. Seventy-six years ago, here on this very ground all the way up to cliffs… American forces battled the forces of the Imperial Japanese army.”
McDoulett, quoting the late Gen. George S. Patton, said, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn those who have died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”
He added, “[While] I think it’s important to remember the words of military heroes… I have to take issue with General Patton on the first part of this sentence. I do not agree that it is foolish or wrong to mourn those we have lost. Mourning or grief is a physical response to calling up the memories that we have of our loved ones, to tug at our hearts when we remember those joyful times, the times that we shared with them, their loves, their laughs, their lives.”
“What I believe that General Patton was trying to say to us was not that mourning was wrong, but that it’s private, something that we feel but don’t necessarily have to share. The purpose of Memorial Day is to share. What we share on Memorial Day are the memories of our loved ones, the memories of the joyful times, the things that they have done, their contributions to our community. We gather today so that we can share with each other, allowing us the grounds to share in the lives of your loved ones. Through you I could know them, and through me, you can know mine. So that’s why we gather and mourn them on Memorial Day,” he said.
Moreover, he said, “the more important message from General Patton is that we remember and that we thank God that these men and women lived and that we got to share at least a small part of their lives with them. Today we remember those who have died on this land back in 1945, we remember those who fell in various years from Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and we remember the brave individuals from this Commonwealth who have returned to rest in the Commonwealth. We remember them, we memorialize them, and we honor their loyalty, bravery, and the nobility of the calling that they call ‘military service.’”
“But as the general said, let us not mourn. Instead, let us celebrate that they lived. Let us give thanks that we knew them, laughed with them, served with them, and loved them.”
McDoulett also expressed his gratitude to the families and friends of servicemembers for their courage and for supporting their loved ones throughout their military service.
“As a veteran and on behalf of all veterans, I thank you for your courage after such an unimaginable loss to still be here to share with me and with all of us the importance that your loved one had to you. Just like you, across the country, mothers, wives, fathers, husbands, sons, daughters, families, and friends gather to remember and they carry on each day their timeless photos, mementos, stories, and memories of their loved ones.”
He added, “As servicemembers, soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and airwomen, we all understood that taking up that duty was a choice of a life of service. We all understood that…the ultimate sacrifice is for the sake of our freedom and for the sake of our families. We are always grateful and have always been grateful for those who have been there for us: our families and our friends. We’re grateful for you and to share a part of our lives with you.”
Master of ceremonies Rep. Angel A. Demapan then led a touching roll call of fallen comrades, in which loved ones received floral arrangements from Governor Torres, Lt. Governor Palacios, Congressman Kilili, and Mayor Apatang to place on the tombstones of their fallen loved ones.
Distinguished guests then led the attendees in laying a ceremonial wreath bearing the inscription, “In Valor There Is Hope” at the foot of the flagpoles at the Veterans Cemetery, followed by the 21-gun salute fired by the Department of Public Safety officers.
Closing remarks were then given by CNMI OVA program coordinator Ramon S. Basa, in which he extended his deep appreciation to various individuals for their role in making the Memorial Day ceremony possible this year.
The Manta Ray Battalion then retired the colors, followed by post-ceremonial music led by the Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band.
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, CNMI OVA executive officer Iakopo, who is also a veteran, said he was pleased that the ceremony still took place this year.
He noted that thanks to the Office of the Governor and various stakeholders, the Veterans Cemetery has undergone major improvements, including a gate to keep the cattle out and protect the cemetery.
“For me, I’m a veteran, but I’m still here. Our families here have loved ones buried here, laid to rest in these hollowed grounds. There’s nothing that we could compare to the emotions that they go through and that they went through. My heart goes out to them. We’re here to honor them and thank them. That is the difference between us veterans that are still alive and still enjoying today, compared to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and are laid here and those families. I can never, and I don’t think anyone could ever compare to these families. Every day, they live this. We don’t. I don’t,” he said.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Camacho Sablan, and Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang are ready to hand flowers to the families of fallen servicemembers.
VFW District VI commander Brad Ruszala salutes a fallen servicemember.
Rep. Celina Babauta and her husband, veteran Franklin Babauta, honor a loved one.
Distinguished guests pay tribute to fallen servicemembers following the laying of the Memorial Day wreath.
Distinguished guests walk toward the flags at the CNMI Veterans Cemetery to lay the Memorial Day wreath.
VFW Post 3457 Commander Joe W. McDoulett pays tribute to a fallen servicemember.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, a veteran, and his loved ones pay tribute to his late wife.
Manta Ray cadets stand at attention following the laying of the Memorial Day wreath.
CNMI officials and community members join servicemembers, veterans and military families at the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on Monday morning to commemorate Memorial Day.
