CNMI leaders salute soldiers on Veterans Day

While most of the public drove to the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi or the American Memorial Park’s Court of Honor yesterday, CNMI local and federal leaders also honored current soldiers and those who previously served in the military with their words as the islands commemorated Veterans Day yesterday.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) said that soldiers are always called on to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

“In Veterans Day, we remember those who served, those who fought, those still missing, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion for our country and for our freedom. I am sorry that I missed joining our veterans and officials in [yesterday’s] Veterans Day ceremony at American Memorial Park.”

Sablan said this was the first year he couldn’t be at the event because he had to fly back to Washington, D.C. before the ceremony to join his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives for the return of session tomorrow, Nov. 12.

Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschenider, for their part, said it always takes a special kind of person to join the military and defend the country’s freedom.

“It takes a special kind of person to put on a uniform, and do what the rest of us can’t. To go to places foreign to them, and defend our way of life and help those who need most our help. It takes a special person to risk their safety so that ours can be ensured. And it takes a special kind of person to, in the most extreme situations; lay down their lives so that our lives can go on in freedom and security.”

Senate President Ralph DLG. Torres (R-Saipan) also thanked the families of these military personnel who let go of their loved one to protect America’s basic liberties.

“I would like to thank the men and women especially the family members of our armed services. I would like to thank them for their patience and continued support of their loved ones serving the U.S. military. I also want to thank those who have lost loved ones. We have lost our soldiers. I would like to pray and thank them for everything they’ve given us—our freedom.”

Veterans Day is a federal holiday that is observed on Nov. 11. It is an official U.S. holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans. Veterans Day coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world.