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Aging Office director called to active duty
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Posted on Nov 24 2005
Age doesn’t really matter when a reserve officer is called to active duty.
This couldn’t be truer in the case of Office on Aging director Joseph Palacios, who recently disclosed that he just received a call-up letter from his unit ordering him to report to South Carolina next month.
The 47-year-old Palacios, who has been serving as a director/caretaker of the CNMI man’amko for over three years now, said he received a letter from the U.S. Army “ironically” on election day, Nov. 5.
He said at first he could not believe he got the letter of call. He said the letter is summoning him to report for duty in South Carolina initially on Dec. 3.
Though he knew he had it coming, the arrival of the letter still surprised him.
Palacios, an appointee of Gov. Juan N. Babauta, said the letter might have come at the right time after all since he is one of the appointees that would have to file voluntary resignation letters as governor-elect Benigno R. Fitial assumes office in January.
“My cousin even joked that now I would have a new job after all,” said Palacios.
Palacios could not believe his report schedule would be so soon. He said he had to notify the department that he had to arrange some matters about his current job before he reports to duty. Then the U.S. Army called him back and informed Palacios that his appointment schedule has instead been moved to Jan. 7.
His family could not believe the news about Palacios. “Dad are you for real, my children asked me,” he said.
Palacios said he once served the army in 1977 up to 1981 and he remained a reserve officer after that.
“It’s a sad news for my family,” he said, adding that even the man’amko and his staff were saddened by the news.
“But either way, I am leaving,” he said.
The current aging center director said he would be leaving a good legacy to his staff and hopes they would continue to serve and take care of their clients in the best way they can. He also advised them to respect the new administration.
