Mangkhut delays Field of Heroes

Tan Siu Lin Foundation and TanHoldings representatives accept $3,000 from IT&E for sponsorship of the 2018 Field of Heroes. From left, Carline Sablan, community relations director, TanHoldings; Mel Naputi, administrative officer, Tan Siu Lin Foundation; Janice Tenorio, customer service manager, IT&E; Michelle Camacho-Cruz, marketing coordinator, IT&E; Megan Aglipay, media assistant, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, and Catherine Attao, vice president for corporate affairs and corporate human resources, TanHoldings. (Contributed Photo)

Typhoon Mangkhut has postponed the 2018 Field of Heroes on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

The display of U.S. flags was originally scheduled for Sept 9-17 at the American Memorial Park on Saipan, Sept 3-17 at the Veterans Memorial Park on Tinian, and Sept 7-22 at the Joaquin Ogo Baseball Field on Rota.

Catherine Attao-Toves, TanHoldings vice president for corporate affairs and human resources, announced the decision on social media after a heavy weather briefing at the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management the Saturday before Typhoon Mangkhut made landfall in the Marianas.

The Field of Heroes consists of more than 650 U.S. flags on display at field sites on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Flags are flown throughout the display period to honor and pay tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks and everyday community heroes—military veterans, military service members, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, disaster responders, and all other first responders.

According to Attao-Toves, “Event organizers and sponsors hope the flag displays help our community reflect on the lives lost on Sept 11, 2001, to show appreciation to all community heroes including military service members and veterans who put their lives on the line to protect our rights and freedom and, of course, our first responders for their courage running into disaster areas when everyone else is running out.”

New dates for the display of flags, tribute ceremonies and related events will be announced once the islands and communities are stabilized.

Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the Northern Mariana Islands Humanities Council to go toward providing local support for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The 2018 Field of Heroes is brought to you by: presenting sponsor: Tan Holdings, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation; field sponsors: National Park Service/American Memorial Park, Tinian Mayor’s Office, Rota Mayor’s Office; heritage sponsors: IT&E, Sorensen Media Group/Power 99; stars & stripes sponsors: E-Land Group, Marianas Variety, J.C. Tenorio Ent. Inc., Hyatt Regency Saipan, Hotel Valentino, Saipan Mayor’s Office, TakeCare; patron sponsors: Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Docomo Pacific, Express Financial, GPPC, J.C.A. Inc. dba McDonald’s of Saipan, MARPAC, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Triple J Saipan, Inc., and many other sponsors. (PR)