‘NMI still united despite divisiveness of polls’

Despite the division caused by the recent elections, the CNMI community is still united in spirit and in hopes for peace, freedom, and the safety of its people, as shown by the multitude of people who showed up Wednesday night to honor the arrival of the CNMI’s two sons who fell in Iraq.

This was the observation made by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs David Cohen, who said during yesterday’s Veterans Day affair at American Memorial Park that the people of Commonwealth have proven to the entire nation, if not to the whole world, that when it comes to the welfare and concern to its people, the islands remain remarkably united.

He said the recent election had divided the islands, that it had been a “time of great division, a highly charged time.” However, based on the display he had seen three nights ago when over 6,000 community members lined up, lit up candles and flashed their cars’ signal lights along a long stretch of road on Saipan, he believes that people will remain connected and united in one hope.

“All those people who waited for hours, through the rains, the entire island came together and showed their support,” he said.

The remains of fallen soldiers SPC Derence Jack and Sgt. Wilgene Lieto arrived home Wednesday night.

According to Cohen the display made him realize that there will always be hope for the CNMI.

“I hope the wives and families of the fallen soldiers felt that the entire island of Saipan shared with their grief,” he said, adding that the grief has also been felt on the neighboring islands of Rota and Tinian.

Other island territories—Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—are also weeping for the lost soldiers, he said. “We are all feeling the grief and pain,” Cohen said.

Yesterday morning the remains of Derence W. Jack was escorted from Nuestra Senora Dela Paz Memorial Chapel in Cabrera Center to Mt. Carmel Cathedral for viewing. Service was held at 9am, followed by a rosary at noon. Melissa Jack and her daughter attended the Veterans Day ceremony at 11am yesterday but left the ceremony for the rosary at noon at the cathedral.

A Christian burial and Mass was held at 3pm. Jack’s body was escorted to his final resting place at 4pm to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Hundreds of people showed their support and respect for the fallen soldier.

At 7am today, the remains of Wilgene Lieto will be taken from Cabrera Center to Bithen Delos Remedios Church in Tanapag. Service will begin at 8:30am, followed by a holy rosary at 9am and public viewing at 9:30am. Viewing will be limited to the soldier’s immediate family between 10:30am and 11am. A burial Mass will take place at 11am. The interment service will be held at noon at Tanapag Cemetery.