Previous Story
Pangelinan completes basic training
|
Posted on Dec 04 2004
A proud son of the CNMI has successfully completed his basic combat training this week.
PFC 1st Class Jack Pangelinan hurdled the training regimen with the 2nd Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment at Fort Knox, Kentucky, going through nine weeks of rigorous basic training that transitioned him from civilian to military life.
Pangelinan is the son of Pete (Pangie) and Rosita Pangelinan of As Lito, Saipan. He previously served as a police officer for the CNMI Department of Public Safety.
During the luncheon held in honor of the graduates after the Basic Combat Training graduation, a friend of Jack teasingly remarked that “he must be a little crazy” to be in the military when the country is at war and thousands of soldiers are being deployed to Iraq.
Jack unabashedly replied that, “patriotism and the call of duty to the country runs deep in my blood,” beginning wiht his grandfather, Joaquin Pangelinan, who was a Marine Scout during World War II.
“Several of my uncles served during the Vietnam conflict, and a member of the Pangelinan clan, Sgt. Gregorio Pangelinan’s name is inscribed in the granite wall of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. At present many of my cousins are deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. My first cousin, Capt. James Pangelinan, is a Commander of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army and has been fighting in Iraq for over 11 months. I am an American and I am proud to serve my country,” he added.
CNMI Resident Rep. Pete A. Tenorio congratulated Pangelinan and remarked that “our government has an obligation to show support and honor to every soldier from the CNMI who is making the transition to carry the heavy burden of our nation’s security and protection.”
Over the years, hundreds of men and women from the Commonwealth have proudly served the nation in every branch of the military. Every month, a son or daughter of the CNMI completes basic combat training in one of many military training posts or bases around the country.
