Previous Story
Veterans Cemetery to open on Nov. 11
|
Posted on Nov 06 2006
The islands’ brave sons and daughters who died while serving the cause of liberty and freedom will finally have a resting place, when the Veterans Cemetery on Saipan opens this weekend in celebration of Veterans Week.
In a proclamation signing yesterday, acting Gov. Timothy Villagomez declared this week as a week for all veterans in the CNMI.
“In their fight for liberty, veterans have championed the cause of freedom and democracy for people all over the world. The credit for our own freedom, as well as our continued security, belongs overwhelmingly to the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces—our veterans,” according to the proclamation.
Military Veterans Affairs Office executive officer Martin Sablan said the community is invited to witness the ceremonial opening of the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on Nov. 11. He acknowledged the “predecessors” of this administration for its perseverance in establishing a final resting place for war veterans in the CNMI.
The groundbreaking for the cemetery was held in September 2005.
MVAO deputy executive officer Ruth Coleman said the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday would coincide with Veterans Day ceremony to be held also at the cemetery at the 11th hour on the 11th of this month. Pacific Winds Concert Band will provide music while Coleman will host the ceremony.
Coleman said the keynote speaker would be Capt. Janice M. Wynn, Chief of Staff, Navy Region Marianas, while Department of Veterans Affairs-Cemetery Grants Program director Scott Gebhardtsbauer would also provide brief remarks.
Due to the Department of the Interior’s conference in Hawaii this week, Villagomez wouldn’t be able to witness the opening of the cemetery.
Sablan said the new CNMI Veterans Cemetery has a total of 216 gravesites and an interment building.
“Now the family of veterans have a resting area for their brave,” he said, adding that families of veterans have options whether to take their loved ones to the cemetery.
Reps. Absalon Waki and Cinta Kaipat, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, Department of Lands and Natural Resources Sec. Ignacio Dela Cruz, Ericco/Maeda Pacific Eric Cruz and staff, and a handful of CNMI veterans attended the proclamation signing.
