What now on the plan to build a veterans cemetery on Rota?

That’s the question on the mind of Sen. Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Rota), who pointed out that the CNMI government had applied for a grant to fund the project in 2013 and that there is already a designated site for the cemetery.

In a bid to get some answers, Santos asked Veterans Affairs Office executive director Stanley T. Iakopo to provide an update on the status of this project and asked Iakopo if the Veterans Affairs Office or other government offices were able to secure the grant funding necessary to build the cemetery. Santos asked for the most recent project updates if the grant had been secured; if not, she asked Iakopo to provide a plan on how to obtain a funding source.

In his reply to Santos last Tuesday, Iakopo said he is now gathering information on the Rota Veterans Cemetery project. Iakopo said he is not familiar with the details regarding the project, but there are a few individuals who were involved.

“I will provide more details soon,” said Iakopo in an email to Santos.

The senator noted that Public Law 17-60 designated one hectare of public land on Rota for the future site of the veterans cemetery and that the Department of Public Lands has already designated the site near the Santa Lourdes Chapel for this.

The senator said the CNMI government submitted a grant application in 2013, to fund the Rota and Tinian veterans cemetery projects. She said she is not aware if the government received the grant and how much was received, if any.

Although there is already a CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on Saipan, Santos said the people and veterans of Rota have expressed their desire to have their own cemetery.

The senator said that once a loved one is buried at the CNMI Veterans Cemetery on Saipan, it becomes extremely difficult for family members and loved ones to visit the burial site because many are unable to afford the airline fare, car rental, food, and other expenses incurred when traveling to Saipan.

She said the financial burden that is placed on each member of the bereaved family is too burdensome during their time of loss, coupled with the current financial difficulties many people face today because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the CNMI’s ailing economy.

She pointed out that visiting the burial sites of deceased loved ones not only happens on Memorial Day but also on All Souls’ Day and All Saints Day.

Santos said with the CNMI Veterans Cemetery on Saipan located a plane ride away, many families cannot continue this tradition.

“Constructing a Rota Veterans Cemetery will honor and pay tribute to the sacrifices of our veterans and fallen heroes from the island of Rota and bestow them the opportunity to be buried on the island they call home,” she said.