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III MEF Band plays for WWII veterans on historic battleground
SAIPAN—Members of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band took part in the 70th Anniversary Reunion of Honor ceremonies on June 11-15 at the Northern Marianas Islands of Tinian and Saipan.
The ceremonies were put together to mark a milestone of peace in the region and pay tribute to both U.S. and Japan veterans of the battles of Saipan and Tinian during World War II.
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- Members of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band march June 15 at Saipan during a parade for the 70th Anniversary Reunion of Honor. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. ADAM B. MILLER)
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- Cpl. Heather H. Song performs a solo June 13 at the American Memorial Park on Saipan. Song is flautist with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and Houston, Texas, native. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. ADAM B. MILLER)
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- Gov. Eloy S. Inos, left, and Rear Adm. Tilghman Payne present ceremonial wreaths June 15 on Saipan during the 70th Anniversary Reunion of Honor ceremony. The ceremony marked a milestone of peace in the region and to paid tribute to both U.S. and Japan veterans of the battles of Saipan and Tinian during World War II. Inos is the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. Payne is the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Marianas. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. ADAM B. MILLER)
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- A Marine Corps color guard detail marches June 15 on Saipan during a parade for the 70th Anniversary Reunion of Honor. The Marines are with 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. ADAM B. MILLER)
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- Jayson B. Tinney, left, shows Gunnery Sgt. Francisco M. Gaxiola, center, and Sgt. Andre M. Thomas a map of the battles of Saipan and Tinian June 13 at the American Memorial Park on Saipan. Tinney is park ranger with the U.S. Park Service and resident of Saipan. Gaxiola is the enlisted conductor with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and Los Angeles, California, native. Thomas is an automotive organizational technician with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, and Miami, Florida, native. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. ADAM B. MILLER)
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- Cpl. Carlos D. Prothow practices before a parade June 15 on Saipan. Prothow is a trombonist with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and Houston, Texas, native. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. ADAM B. MILLER)
“As Marine musicians, part of our job is to preserve history and tradition,” said Staff Sgt. Justin A. Billingsley, an electric bassist and platoon sergeant with the III MEF Band and Richmond, Virginia, native. “The battles of Saipan and Tinian are a part of our Marine Corps lore, part of our identity, so we came here to honor them.”
The weeklong celebrations brought together community members from across the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, World War II veterans who served on Tinian and Saipan, and representatives from each branch of the U.S. military.
“It was an amazing, humbling and educational experience,” said Sgt. Sean E. Salazar, a clarinetist with the III MEF Band and Orlando, Florida, native. “I enjoyed taking part in this momentous occasion, listening to the veterans speak about their experiences here. It really gave me a new appreciation for what they did for our country and the people of the CNMI.”
The III MEF Band is the only continuously forward-deployed band in the Marine Corps. They travel throughout the Asia-Pacific region frequently, performing for service members and civilians alike. Along the way, they get the opportunity to learn about the many different cultures and histories in the region.
“I enjoyed learning about the battles for the islands, reading about the first-hand accounts of the Chamorro people and what they had to endure during that time,” said Cpl. Amanda V. Davis, a clarinetist with the III MEF Band and Appomattox, Virginia, native. “I think the most eye-opening thing I learned though was how much of a positive impact the U.S. had on the CNMI after the war.”
Although the battles took place over 70 years ago, there is no shortage of reminders around the island such as sunken naval equipment, destroyed tanks, and bomb shelters.
“We can’t forget what took place here,” said Billingsley. “There are fewer and fewer veterans every year. Unless, we actively keep trying to remember the sacrifices that were made here, we will lose that part of our heritage; not just our military heritage as Marines, but as Americans too.”
(By CPL. ADAM MILLER
III Marine Expeditionary Force / Marine Corps Installations Pacific)
