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Memorial park welcomes returning WWII veterans
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Posted on Mar 02 2006
A welcoming ceremony will be held at the American Memorial Park today, March 3, at 11:30am, to honor returning World War II veterans to the Mariana Islands.
The ceremony will take place at American Memorial Park’s Court of Honor.
There will be about 15 veterans, along with family and friends, who are touring past battle sites in the Pacific islands, highlighted by a trip to the legendary Iwo Jima.
Within the group, and returning to Saipan/Tinian after more than 60 years, are WWII veterans Stanton W. Grotenhuis and Anthony Defusco.
On hand to welcome the veterans and their families will be acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez on behalf of the Commonwealth. Also expected to be on hand are Saipan’s own World War II Marine Scouts.
The ceremony will be held to honor these World War II veterans who have been hailed as “The Greatest Generation” and were part of over 16 million servicemen and women who served during World War II.
The public is welcome to attend.
The next day, Saturday, the American Memorial Park Visitor Center will open its doors early at 8am to accommodate the veterans before they head to Guam in the afternoon and onward to Iwo Jima. (PR)
