First line of defense

I am pleased to learn that two members from the U.S. House Armed Service subcommittee on Readiness visited the CNMI. Chairman Rob Whitman visited the CNMI and was accompanied by Delegate Madeleine Zeien Bordallo, a ranking member of the subcommittee. I sincerely hope that our elected officials have a better understanding of the military projects involving Tinian and the CNMI as a whole.

Chairman Whitman spoke about the economic impact that will result from the increase military activities in Guam and the CNMI. We, in the private sector would like to hear more from our elected leaders on how they perceive the increase in military projects means to the people of the CNMI.

For security reasons, the U.S. Department of Defense is unable to share with us the real purpose for the training of our men and women in uniform; the fallout effect and the need to train our military forces exceeds the economic well-being for the people of Tinian and the rest of the CNMI. They don’t need to be emphatically describe their objectives; they must be fully prepared to defend us in case of turmoil. Guam and the CNMI are on the “FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE.”

Just watch the premier of the nations northwest of us. He wants to show the world that he has power. I just hope that he does not show off his power by pushing the button to send off a missile to wipe us out. For the past two decades or so, we are blessed by the presence of the advance military vessels seen just west of Saipan. Have you ever asked yourself why they are here??

The nation northwest of us is capable of launching long-range nuclear missiles. Just check out the World News on and see this unstable-minded he is. What is going to prevent him from wiping us out with one push of a button. The CNMI is the least populated territory of the United States. So we are vulnerable in that respect.

Lest we forget the islands in the Marianas might be in the first line of defense in the Far East. We must be prepared to use whatever it takes to protect ourselves and our motherland. Guam has various military bases as their contribution to defend our freedom. We must also be willing to contribute and accommodate the strategic need for our own security.

Having lived through World War II and the invasion of Saipan in June 1944, I don’t ever want to see another war.

David M. Sablan Sr.
Papago