Wreath laying rite marks Marianas liberation

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho, and CNMI Resident Representative Pedro A. Tenorio yesterday in laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns during a solemn ceremony commemorating the 64th anniversary of the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Marianas.

Federal officials, congressional staff members, and members of the Guam and CNMI communities in the greater Washington, D.C. area gathered at the historic Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery for the ceremony. The ceremony followed the traditional changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns conducted by the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment or “The Old Guard” of the United States Army.

The U.S. Army provided a color guard, and honor guard, and the U.S. Army band, which played the national anthem. After the wreath was laid, an Army bugler played taps.

“This ceremony in Washington honors the liberators who paid the ultimate price on behalf of the people of Guam and the people of the Northern Marianas. Secretary Kempthorne, Governor Camacho, Representative Tenorio and I joined together in this solemn tribute to our armed forces and in appreciation for the freedom that we enjoy today,” said Bordallo.

“The ceremony was a moving tribute to the men and women who died 64 years ago defending and liberating our island,” said Camacho. “Additionally, the ceremony honored our sons and daughters who have paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting for freedom around the world.”

To help commemorate yesterday’s event, 2008 Guam Liberation Queen Ceidree Duenas joined the crowd of over 100 participants who gathered to witness the ceremony.

Other officials participating in the ceremony included Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina and U.S. Virgin Islands Rep. Donna M. Christensen, who is chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs. Brig. Gen. Michael R. Regner, U.S. Marine Corps, represented the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Joining the official platform delegation for the ceremony, which was escorted by Guam first lady Joann G. Camacho, was Douglas W. Domenech, deputy assistant secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs; Office of Insular Affairs director Nikolao Pula; Mitchell Everett Shivers, principal deputy assistant secretary of Defense; New Zealand Ambassador Roy Ferguson; Federated States of Micronesia Ambassador Yosiwo P. George; Republic of Korea Ambassador Lee Tae Sik; Lt. Col. Craig Delaney of the Australian Defense Staff representing the Embassy of Australia; Philippine Embassy chargé d’affaires Carlos D. Sorreta; and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources staff Allen Stayman.

Former Guam congressman Ben Blaz also attended with his son, Tom, and his granddaughter, Rachael. Maj. Gen. David F. Bice, USMC (Ret.), executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, was also present, along with other representatives from the Department of Defense.

Representatives of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, including Gerry Perez, Jim Adkins, Joe Arnett, and Roger Crouthamel, attended the ceremony along with Mr. and Mrs. George Lai of Barrigada Heights.

The annual wreath laying ceremony commemorates the occupation of Guam and honors the Marines, soldiers, sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and airmen who participated in the liberation of Guam and in the battle for the Northern Marianas during World War II.

Today, the community will gather on Capitol Hill to continue the National Commemoration of the 64th Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Marianas with a reception on Capitol Hill featuring Chamorro cultural performers, Chamorro food and the President’s Own Marine Band Brass Quintet.[B][I] (PR)[/I][/B]