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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thank you
On behalf of Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours, our guests asked me to thank Mayor Camacho of Saipan, Mayor Aldan of Tinian, and the Marianas Visitors Authority for the efforts they made to clean the historic sites on Saipan and Tinian. From the peak of Tapochau to the Atomic Bomb Pits, these influential Americans walked in the footsteps of their fathers, reliving the history of our islands as few other Americans can. They are now at home, showing their new photo collection to family, friends, and neighbors, telling stores of the history they had learned, and, hopefully, encouraging others to visit our islands.
They made only two requests. Although Suicide Cliff, the Last Command Post, and Banzai Cliff were in excellent condition, and heartrending sites, the restrooms were locked.
On Tinian, their only request was to have the American Cemetery re-opened so that they could pay respect to their fallen fathers and uncles who were buried there. Although the bodies were exhumed and returned to America in 1947, they wished they could have left a memorial bouquet for all the men who had died on Tinian during World War II.
Personally, my thanks to Gordon Marciano for providing air and ground transportation within the CNMI, and to Deborah Fleming for managing the ground transportation for all the historical tour agencies that visited Tinian during the annual Iwo Jima Reunion of Honor tour of the Marianas. Because of the lack of vehicles, it was a major headache. Nonetheless, as always, Deborah got the job done, and done well with local drivers.
Finally, I was asked about the preparations for the 80th Anniversary of the invasion of Saipan, June 15, 2024. I promised to let them know, as soon as plans were announced.
Don A. Farrell
Marpo Heights, Tinian
