A tearful homecoming

It was a tearful but nonetheless joyful homecoming for seven CNMI soldiers on Sunday night at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.

These battle-hardened men had a hard time keeping their emotions in check when they saw their families, but they could not help but weep when they saw SSG Wilgene T. Lieto’s mother, Julie, among the crowd.

Sgt. Lieto, along with SPC Derence Jack, were killed in Iraq in October last year. Specialists Ferdinand Inoke, Frank Pangelinan, Winfred Camacho, Peter Camacho, Jeffrey Diaz, Roland Aizon, and Joseph Borja all safely made it back to Saipan Sunday night.

Just before the doors opened to let out the seven men, the crowd outside the airport was palpably excited, waving banners and U.S. flags and holding flowers and leis in their hands. However, the almost raucous celebration suddenly became muted at the tight hugs and sobs of the soldiers who couldn’t help but embrace Lieto’s mother upon seeing her.

The soldiers landed on the airport at approximately 8:57pm Sunday night aboard a Cape Air flight from Guam, a connecting flight from Honolulu, Hawaii. Their families waited at the airport as early as 7pm.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez rushed to the arrival area 10 minutes before arrival time to welcome the soldiers who served in Iraq for a year. Special Assistant for Administration Esther Fleming, together with officers of the Yellow Ribbon Committee and Rep. Benjamin Seman and his family, also welcomed the soldiers.

Fleming said the soldiers are the first set of the CNMI’s soldiers to come home this month. It was reported earlier that only five of the seven would be able to come home Sunday but she said she learned that two were added to the list.

All CNMI soldiers are expected to be home by Feb. 5, the day the CNMI will offer a Mass for them, to be celebrated by Bishop Tomas Camacho.

Inoke, a father of six, said he was happy to be with his family again. His wife Tracy said she is very excited to see her husband again after a long time. She advised families of the soldiers who have yet to come home to remain strong.

Diaz, for his part, said he’s just happy to be back on Saipan.

“I’m just glad to be back home,” he said, adding that it made him feel good to see his family again.

He said the first thing he would do is to party with his family. The 30-year-old has four children.

He said his entire experience with the military was rewarding, especially the training in Hawaii.

Winfred Camacho, 26, was away from his family for 18 months. He broke into tears when he saw Lieto’s mother and shared the longest hug with her. Winfred Camacho said he could not help but be overly emotional because he had worked with Lieto and they had known each other for a long time.

The governor also had tears during the emotional moment.

“Emotions are very overwhelming. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Wilgene’s family,” Fitial said. He also apologized to Lieto’s parents and family member for not being on Saipan during Lieto’s interment.

Winfred Camacho said that, with the end of his tour of duty in Iraq, his first priority would be to find a job in the CNMI.

Warm wishes

Emotions were running high when, one by one, the soldiers emerged at the airport’s arrival area. There was a huge round of applause and a warm welcome, complete with children screaming with joy and pointing at the soldiers and calling out “Uncle,” “Dad” and some their first names.

Former Miss CNMI International Jennifer W. Aguon also went to the airport Sunday night to welcome her cousin Peter Camacho. “I’m very glad to see him back home. We’re glad for him to be home,” Aguon said.

She said she and her family prayed everyday for all the soldiers. “I’d like to invite the public to show their support for the troops, to thank them for being brave soldiers. Come out and show your support.”

Ashley Fujihira, 14, was also at the airport to welcome her cousin Winfred Camacho. “It’s been a long time. We miss him a lot,” she said, adding that there was not a night that she and her family didn’t pray for his and the troops’ safety in Iraq. “We love him so much.”

Justin Inoke, 10, said he could not express his feelings when he learned that his father, Ferdinand, was finally scheduled to come home. Justin sheepishly told the media that he missed his father so much and that he would hug his father so tight he would not be able to let go. “Because I miss him so much. I love him. I love him. I miss him.”