McDonald’s supports 9/11 commemoration

McDonald’s Saipan has stepped up anew as a sponsor of the Tan Siu Lin Foundation initiative We Will Never Forget: Field of Heroes this month.

McDonald’s is among the 22 returning sponsors of the event intended to honor those who perished and the heroes that saved many lives during the Sept. 11, 2011, attacks in the United States, as well as those who continue to fight for the nation’s safety and freedom.

“We are honored to be part of this community event commemorating our fallen heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice to save others’ lives,” said McDonald’s Saipan co-owner and general manager Marcia Ayuyu.

“McDonald’s is pleased that the Tan Siu Lin Foundation and TanHoldings have come up with this event that brings the community together in honoring our heroes’ greatness and the things they did and are doing to keep our nation safe. We must continue to pay tribute to them. Truly, we will never forget,” she added.

The TSL Foundation is the charitable arm of TanHoldings.

McDonald’s Saipan’s donation makes it a patron sponsor of the Field of Heroes, which has a line-up of activities beginning on Sept. 2.

“We would like to thank McDonald’s and all our generous sponsors for their continued support to the Field of Heroes. It’s always great to see members of our community working together to honor the heroes of 9/11 and express their deep gratitude and admiration to the people who commit to protect the lives of others,” said Catherine Attao-Toves, TanHoldings vice president for Corporate Affairs/Human Resources.

The Field of Heroes will kick off with the posting of the U.S. flags at the Veterans Memorial Park on Tinian on Sept. 2. On Sept. 6, flags will be posted at the Corporal Joe G. Charfauros Jr. Rota Veterans Memorial Park, while the American Memorial Park is the site of the flag posting on Saipan, beginning on Sept. 8. A program commemorating 9/11 will occur on Sept. 11 itself at 5:30pm at the AMP, preceded by the Freedom Walk, which will start at 5pm at the Garapan Fishing Base and end at AMP.

A ceremony on Tinian is also scheduled for Sept. 11 and will feature a wreath dedication, gun salute, and speeches. Rota’s ceremony is slated for Sept. 17. Flags will be retired on Sept. 13, Sept. 16, and Oct. 12 for Tinian, Saipan, and Rota, respectively.

Flags may be flown in honor or in memory of community heroes for a small donation. Commemorative shirts are also available with a small donation. Donations can be made at Shirley’s Coffee Shop in Garapan and Susupe, the TanHoldings corporate office on the second floor of the JP Center Building on Beach Road, the Tinian Mayor’s Office, Hotel Valentino on Rota, and the Rota Mayor’s Office. Net proceeds of the event will be donated to the Northern Marianas Humanities Council for programs that support the health and wellness of veterans, military service members, first responders, and their families. (PR)