Permanent leadership memorial monument at kiosku mounted

Dignitaries led by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, second from right, pose for a photo with the newly mounted leadership monument at the Kiosku Round House in Chalan Kanoa last Friday. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

The 14th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council held a rededication ceremony at the Kiosku Round House in Chalan Kanoa to showcase the newly mounted granite leadership memorial monument.

The kiosku was first dedicated five years ago with the sole purpose of honoring individuals who have worked to shape the Commonwealth into what it is today. Five years later, it has been rededicated with a newly established granite monument that is engraved with the names of the islands past leaders.

Last Friday, municipal council chair L.J. Castro said that the monument will serve to permanently immortalize the names of all the men and women who have lifted the island up from hardship and have paved ways for the leaders after to further develop the island.

Etched on the monument are names of past leaders. The monument includes the names of leaders even before the island had a municipal government and it also includes the names of the current government leaders.

According to Castro, the monument will not only serve as reminder of important individuals of the islands history, but will also serve as a place where the new generation can come for encouragement.

“Carved into these stones are the names of people whose work helped enlighten the leaders of tomorrow,” said Castro.

The memorial monument is also significant for a few of the island’s current local government leaders. Castro said that the monument also serves as a timeline for a few of our current leaders. The monument documents the previous leadership roles a few current leaders had taken up before getting to where they are at today.

“As you look through the names carved into the stone, you can also see some of our leaders’ paths as they developed into stronger leaders, such as the case with our governor, as his name appears three times on this wall, “ Castro said.

According to Castro, to a few individuals who may visit the courtyard, the monument might just be names on a wall, but for those like him who live their lives with respect for those who governed the island before his time, it is a reminder that the work of governance is something shared by all generations.

“…and it is our responsibility as leaders of today to keep their memories alive to inspire the next generation of leaders,” Castro said.