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Aging Office director says adios to man’amko
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Posted on Dec 27 2005
Emotions were high at the Office on Aging yesterday morning as outgoing director Joseph Palacios said goodbye to the man’amko.
“We will miss you,” said some of the man’amko as they held Palacios’ hands and embraced him while one played a ukulele and offered a song for the director.
A teary-eyed Palacios said his departure is something that the elders should not be sad about. He also encouraged them to keep moving forward and welcome his successor.
Palacios told the man’amko to keep up their daily routine and stay healthy so that they would live longer. He said that, as soon as he comes back from active duty in the U.S. Army, he would visit the Aging Center.
He became more emotional when a member of the man’amko sang Auld Lang Syne in Chamorro.
Palacios is officially leaving the Aging Center today as part of his volunteer resignation in respect for the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Benigno R. Fitial. Palacios is an appointee of outgoing Gov. Juan N. Babauta.
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs deputy secretary Carmen Cabrera also attended the Mass to celebrate Palacios’ stewardship of the Aging Center yesterday. On behalf of the department and the rest of the man’amko in the CNMI, she wished Palacios a safe trip and good luck in his future endeavors.
She told the man’amko that they should not feel bad over Palacios’ new posting. “Think of the times he [Palacios] made you laugh and not the times that made you cry,” she said.
Palacios is set to report for active duty in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Jan. 8. He received a call-up letter in November from his unit ordering him to report to South Carolina in January. Palacios served the Army in 1977 up to 1981, but has remained a reserve officer.
