MEMORIAL Day, held this year on May 30, commemorates the nation’s women and men who’ve passed on after fighting for our country and freedom.
The island’s Memorial Day ceremony was held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi where Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios, other government officials and distinguished guests joined the families and friends of the CNMI’s fallen heroes.
Also participating in the ceremony were the Manta Ray Battalion, the Saipan Southern High School JROTC’s award-winning cadets.
The cadets were up bright and early, and were at the Veterans Cemetery at 7 a.m. to assist in setting it up before the ceremony began.
Cadets placed individual U.S. and CNMI flags, flower bouquets, and candles onto the gravestones of the fallen heroes. They also distributed copies of the event program and bottled water to those who gathered at the cemetery.
C/CPT Sablan, Ye Zhi and C/SSG Villaluz, Shanna assisted the governor and lt. governor in the laying of the wreath.
Members of the Manta Ray Battalion Color Guard were called upon for the presentation of the colors during the singing of the U.S and CNMI anthems which were performed by the Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band.
Before the ceremony ended, the cadets were called up again to retire the colors.
The color guard team was commanded by C/CSM Villagomez, Anthony who held the U.S flag. With him were C/CPT Formalejo, Danielle who held the CNMI flag; the left guard, C/SSG Cabrera, Antonio; and the right guard, C/MSG Faustino, Ericson.
The Manta Ray Battalion cadets were honored to have been able to take part and assist in this year’s observance of Memorial Day.
