WORLD War II survivor David “Uncle Dave” Mangarero Sablan received House Resolution 22-21 on behalf of his father, Saipan’s post-war mayor, Elias Parong Sablan, during the Liberation Day celebration on Monday.
Authored by Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, and co-sponsored by the rest of the 22nd House of Representatives, H.R. 22-21 “remembers and honors the late Honorable Elias Parong Sablan, Mayor of Saipan, for his post-World War II civilian and public services and contributions that built trust between the U.S. military and the civilian population after the U.S. forces seized and secured Saipan from the Japanese, serving twelve years as Mayor of Saipan, beginning on July 4, 1945 and ending in December 1956, and for his exemplary career in other capacities in the local government for more than twelve years.”
“77 years ago, on this very day, July 4, 1945, somewhere on this beautiful island of Saipan we call home, a young strong man in his mid-40s stood firmly and raised his right hand. This young man took the oath of office. This young man was the first elected mayor of Saipan. This young man was Elias Parong Sablan. It is very fitting to remember and honor the late mayor Sablan on this day,” said Henry Hofschneider, special assistant to the mayor of Saipan.
Speaker Villagomez and Rep. Joel Camacho handed the framed copy of the resolution to a teary-eyed Uncle Dave who was among the guests of honor as the NMI celebrated Liberation Day with a parade on Beach Road, that started at 10 a.m., and cultural presentations at the Garapan Fishing Base starting at 6 p.m.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Maj. Gen. Mark Hashimoto and Joint Region Marianas Commander Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson extended to Uncle Dave their posthumous congratulations to his father who passed away in 1968.
Born on Nov. 8, 1899, Elias Sablan spoke Chamorro, Carolinian, Spanish, German, Japanese and English. He served as a translator for the English-speaking U.S. military personnel who tried to convince Chamorros and Carolinians still hiding in the caves after the war to come out, telling them that their lives and safety were no longer at risk.
Uncle Dave, who was 12 years old then, still has vivid memories of what his family and the people of Saipan went through during the war.
Elias Parong Sablan was appointed by the administering U.S. military command in Saipan to serve as an interim head chief, a title that was a precursor of mayor. It was an interim appointment that he served while already a leader of the local police force. He was then elected head chief in an open election. Later, his title was changed to mayor.
He worked diligently and side-by-side with the U.S. military in charge of securing Saipan after it seized control of the island from the Japanese forces, and with his proficiency in English, he persuaded the U.S. military to remove the fences at Camp Chalan Kanoa in order for the local population to return to their pre-war farms and homes and start a new life.
In his 12-year tenure as the mayor of Saipan, Elias Parong Sablan honorably served the people of the island, and was instrumental in setting the course for the people of Saipan as they were placed under the trusteeship of the United States government pursuant to a 1957 United Nations action.
Uncle Dave, for his part, expressed his gratitude for the resolution.
“I’m very honored. There’s not much I can say except for the fact that he was a servant of the people. I’m so happy and my heart is torn for the recognition given to my father today. I appreciate it so much. He was the first mayor in 1945, first elected, and he carried on for 12 years. He was the only one to ever go to the United Nations to make a report to the Trusteeship Council,” he said.
“I think the gathering here shows how people are very happy to be free, free from any more turmoil. I appreciate everything that they’re doing here for the recognition.”
World War II survivor David “Uncle Dave” Mangarero Sablan, center, poses for a photo with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, second left, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, third right, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, second right, Indo-Pacific Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Hashimoto, left, and Joint Region Marianas Commander Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, right, during the presentation of House Resolution 22-21 to Uncle Dave on July 4, 2022.
World War II survivor David “Uncle Dave” Mangarero Sablan holds the framed House Resolution 22-21 honoring his late father, Saipan’s post-war mayor, Elias Parong Sablan.
Speaker Edmund Sablan Villagomez is assisted by Rep. Joel Camacho as he reads House Resolution 22-21 to David “Uncle Dave” M. Sablan.
World War II survivor David “Uncle Dave” Mangarero Sablan, center, poses for a photo with Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Mayor’s Office Field Operations Director Joann Aquino, second left, Steve Sablan, right, and his wife, left.
Saipan Mayor Elias Parong Sablan, right, with Admiral Ramsey and other U.S. military officials.
