US Army’s Sgt. Jack Jason S. Attao honored

The 8th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council recently adopted a resolution commending U.S. Army Sgt. Jack Jason Sablan Attao for “his bravery, courage and determination to uphold the U.S. Armed Forces’ goal to secure peace, freedom, and democracy in Iraq.”

Attao enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 25, 1999 and was deployed to Iraq in February 2004 for one year tour of duty. In Iraq, Attao was a 63B/light wheeled vehicle mechanic with the Charlie Company’s 121st signal battalion.

He is a recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Professional Development Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon.

Attao is the son of former congressman Vicente (Ben) Torres Attao and Marylee Mendiola Sablan of Upper Navy Hill, Saipan. He is married to Renee Villagomez Muña Attao and both are blessed with three children: Gregory, Janae and Jaycine.

“The members of the municipal council join the people of the CNMI in extending special recognition, congratulation and commendation to Attao for safeguarding and protecting the lives of his fellow Americans,” part of the resolution reads.

The council said it also joins the people of the CNMI and Attao’s family members in their prayers to keep him and other members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other dangerous posts safe, secure, and successful in their mission.

Attao recently flew from Iraq to Germany to pick up his wife and children to attend the funeral service of their late grandfather, Jose C. Muña. He then departed Saipan with his family for Germany and on to Iraq to join the Charlie Company.

The U.S. Armed Forces declared war with Iraq’s Saddam Hussein “to destroy weapons of mass destruction, to deter his acts of terrorism and for the people of Iraq to enjoy freedom, peace, and democracy.”

Many men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other dangerous posts. The CNMI men and women who have been wounded or killed in action in these engagements include U.S. Army Sergeant Yinjyh “Eddie” Lang Chen, the first CNMI casualty in Iraq; U.S. Army Sgt. William Ayuyu Sakisat Jr., wounded in Afghanistan; U.S. Army Specialist E4 Monique Guerrero Sablan, wounded in Iraq; U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Randy Takai Johnson, wounded in Iraq; U.S. Army Sgt. Nazario San Nicolas Borja (Tinian), wounded in Iraq; U.S. Army Specialist Gregory Cabrera Cing (Tinian), wounded in Iraq; and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Dustin M. Pangelinan, wounded in Iraq.

The resolution was certified by municipal council chair Gregorio V. Deleon Guerrero and vice chair David A. Indalecio and attested by secretary Antonia M. Tudela.