‘All gave some, some gave all’

Small United States and CNMI flags line the graves of U.S. service members who were honored in yesterday’s Memorial Day commemoration at the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi. (Jon Perez)

Despite scorching temperatures in the 90s, the community gathered under a clear and cloudless sky at the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi for the annual Memorial Day commemoration yesterday.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres led the ceremony, together with CNMI officials and other dignitaries, veterans, and the families of soldiers who have already passed away, either in conflicts or of natural causes.

In his remarks, Torres said that Memorial Day allows the community to gather and honor those who helped protect the CNMI and the nation’s freedom, and are now guarding their loved ones and others from above.

“For over a decade, we have gathered here on this stretch of land in one of the Pacific’s most peaceful places to pay tribute to the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedom,” said Torres.

“Memorial Day brings many emotions to our hearts and minds. For some, it brings memories of warmth, of the many things experienced with our heroes while they were with us. For others, the feeling of pain, as they mourn the absence of their loved ones.”

The feeling of gratitude sums up the emotion felt by all every Memorial Day, he said. “Today, we come together not as a community in mourning, but a community that is grateful. Grateful for the work they rendered that not everyone could do.”

“In our midst, they lie here before us, each a veteran of those conflicts that have affected us since the end of World War II, as well as World War II itself. They didn’t all know each other in life, but are now forever linked in a sacred fraternity in the next life.”

“We can rest assured that history has recorded that they valiantly and selflessly served us well, and for that, we are thankful.”

“To the families that gather here, know that we will always be here for you because of your loved one’s deeds for all of us. To the veterans here today, who stand watch over their fallen comrades, we can never thank you enough for your bravery and selflessness.”

“Let us continue hoping for a permanent and lasting peace that will bring the rest of our sons and daughters home, and put an end to conflicts all over the world.”

“For those who gave some, and the some who gave all, we remain humble and grateful to your good and noble deeds,” Torres added.
 
Paying tribute

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. (ret.) Benjamin C. Palacios, who keynoted Monday morning’s gathering, said the occasion not only gives the community the chance to pay tribute to all enlisted personnel who are serving but also the fallen heroes and civilians who died during World War II.

“We gather here today to pay homage to our fellow servicemen and women who gave their lives for our freedom, [and] thousands of other Americans throughout the world are doing the same,” said Palacios.

“It is only right that we pause for a moment to pay tribute to our fallen heroes who died in combat and to those civilians who lost their lives on these islands during the war.”

He said cemeteries in the United States and in other foreign lands are filled with rows of crosses as a silent tribute to the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the battlefield. “Some battlefields are well remembered and others long since forgotten from wars, both declared and undeclared.”

“Those crosses stand as memorials to those killed in wars. ‘All gave some, some gave all.’ Those fallen heroes have a right to demand of us, the living, that we preserve, cherish, and pass on to future generations their precious legacy to our nation and to our islands.”

Palacios added Memorial Day is also a chance to honor the unnamed and missing soldiers. “When we honor unknown service members in Memorial Day ceremonies, we honor the missing and unidentified dead of all our service members in all our wars.”

“Who they were, where they came from, their ages, their station in life, their race or their creed. None of these are known to us.”
 
From all walks of life

CNMI Military and Veterans Affairs Office executive officer U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. (ret.) Oscar C. Torres said that yesterday’s Memorial Day service is an important occasion that honors the sacrifices made by individuals who answered the call of serving the country.

“We’re here today to honor our heroes. To remember their achievements, their courage, and their dedication. And to say thank you for their sacrifices. The service members we honor today came from all walks of life but shared fundamental qualities. They possessed courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty, and integrity—all qualities needed to serve a cause larger than one’s self.”

He said that Americans, both men and women, have been answering the call of duty from the battles of Lexington and Concord, to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Millions of Americans have fought and died on battlefields here and abroad to defend our freedoms and way of life.”

“Today, our troops continue to make the ultimate sacrifice and even as we lose troops, more Americans step forward to say, ‘I’m ready to serve.’ They follow in the footsteps of generations of fine Americans.”

Torres added people in the entire nation pay tribute to all of those who served. “Our gathering is just one small spark in the flame of pride that burns across the nation today and everyday.”

“It’s not a lot, but it’s one small way we can honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in freedom.”
 
Solemn commemoration

It was a solemn program, with cultural group Simiyan Mañaina-ta giving the traditional Chamorro blessing, O O Asaina/ Hinatsan I Latte.

Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council chair Luis John Castro, who also acts as the group’s adviser, said the chant invokes blessing and protection.

“[It is] asking for continued protection [from] our fallen heroes in the afterlife and for their families, as well as to ask for guidance in this life to make right in the world and to continue to promote inafa’maolek (peace or harmony) in our world,” said Castro.

The roll call of fallen comrades was the special part of the memorial tribute where families and friends of soldiers and service members laid wreaths on their graves and lit candles as their way of honoring them.

Torres, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), veterans, military service members, and other guests also laid a wreath at the Hall of Heroes, with Taps playing in the background and the Department of Public Safety performing a 21-gun salute.

The Saipan Southern High School JROTC Manta Ray Battalion’s color guard led the posting of colors, while the Marianas High School Glee Club and Chorale sang the U.S. national and CNMI anthems.

Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) was the master of ceremonies, while the Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band provided music and entertainment.