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Thank you
Hafa adai, my fellow veterans, families and friends:
First of all I want to thank each and every individuals who attended yesterday’s Veterans Day ceremony at the American Memorial Park. Special thanks to all who helped one way or another to make our ceremonial a success: Fr. Francis Hezel (invocation); American Red Cross (John and Paul) for the water and ice; Nola (printing of programs) from Xerox; Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band (great job!); the students and staff of Marianas High School’s Chorus; DPS police officers/Capt. Pete DLGuerrero for the 21-gun rifle salute; Manta Ray Battalion, Saipan Southern High School, JROTC cadets under the leaderships of SSM J. Kiyoshi and SSM R. Basa; Dr. Ed Tudor of VFW Saipan Post 3457 (Taps); CNMI Department of Homeland Security and staff; Mayor David Apatang and his staff; director Eli Cabrera and his staff; DPW Secretary James Ada and his staff; the staff of the American Memorial Park; Veterans Day Committee chair Jenn C. DLGuerrero, Tony L.G. Cabrera, Mariano DLG Fajardo, Mac Chargualaf (commander, VFW, Saipan Post 3457, Bernie Boyer Dela Cruz (my hardworking staff), and most especially the staff of Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, through the leadership of Mrs. Esther S. Fleming.
This year›s Veterans Day ceremony would not have been possible without the help of all this agencies and individuals. I would also like to give thanks to all veterans and their families, parents, spouses and children of deceased veterans, thank you for coming! Special thanks to our newly appointed Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Viola Alapuyo; members of the CNMI 19th Legislature; U.S. District Judge Ramona V. Manglona, CNMI Supreme Court Associate Justice John Manglona, CNMI Superior Court Associate Judges David Wiseman, Ken Govendo, and Teresa Kim-Tenorio; officers of the pre-positioned ships; the U.S. Coast Guard, Saipan Municipal Council Alice Igitol, and Mrs. Ruth Coleman of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your presence meant so much to us. May the good Lord continue to bless us all here in the CNMI and abroad.
Joseph M. Palacios
Military Liaison and Veterans Affairs Office
