U.S. military members who died in both war and peace, along with the late local Marine Scouts, were honored during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi.
The keynote speaker, Special Assistant for Military Affairs Edward Camacho, said there is always a “need to remember and honor our fallen heroes.”
“Today’s the day to reflect, remember and honor those folks who have gone before us,” said Camacho, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel.
“The drums of war are always followed by the bugle of Taps…the drums of war echo loud, but they always fade into the quiet cry of Taps, a reminder that glory often walks hand in hand with grief. The end of war is only known by those who tried to end it,” Camacho said.
He said it is the community’s duty to ensure that the veterans cemetery is kept beautiful, peaceful, meaningful, solemn, “and a great place to reflect and reminisce.” He also called for funding to ensure this.
“Today should not be the only day out of the year that we honor our fallen heroes. Everyone is welcome to this beautiful cemetery almost every day of the week, but once we budget it right for its sustainable upkeep and maintenance and man it with guides and escorts and maybe even security personal, we could one day have this cemetery open to visitors 24/7,” Camacho said.
“That way, we can come and remember our loved ones interred here any time of the day and every day if we want to,” he added.
Camacho likewise called for residents and veterans to spend time together, because “you only die once.”
“Make the effort to take every opportunity to recognize and thank these heroes every time you see them. Their services will always be appreciated and…remembered…. It will be too late to thank a veteran after he passes on. It will be too late to mend differences and disagreements after the veteran is laid at his or her final resting place. Please ladies and gentlemen, I urge you all to carefully plan the details for the next time or date to have a merienda…cup of coffee, lunch or dinner and enjoy breaking bread together and pouring wine—or whatever favorite beverage—into each other’s glass, reminisce together and toast to the good times and for more good times to come.”
The day’s ceremony featured the posting of colors by the Saipan Southern High School JROTC Color Guard; an invocation by Bishop Romeo Convocar; opening remarks by Jose Crisostomo, executive officer of the CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs; a memorial tribute roll call honoring fallen service members, their families, and the local Marine Scouts; a 21-gun salute; the playing of “Taps” and “Amazing Grace”; a wreath-laying; and a flyover by the 36th Wing from Andersen Air Force Base.
In his remarks, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios called the ceremony “solemn and beautiful,” adding that it was organized to “honor, to remember, and pay tribute and to celebrate the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our priceless freedom, and the enduring spirit of our people, and our hope for our islands.”
He added, “It is a day to celebrate the courage of those who served and a day to reaffirm our commitment to the values they fought to protect. We stand on the shoulders of heroes, sons and daughters of these humble islands who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate sacrifice and price for our enduring freedom.”
Family members visit the graves of the CNMI’s fallen heroes at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on a rainy Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
From left, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Special Assistant for Military Affairs Edward C. Camacho and Bishop Romeo D. Convocar stand at attention during the posting of colors.
Saipan Southern High School JROTC Manta Ray Battalion cadets salute as the national anthem is sung.
Master of ceremonies John “Bolis” Gonzales
Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Officer Jose DLG Crisostomo delivers the opening remarks.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios delivers his remarks.
Special Assistant for Military Affairs Edward C. Camacho delivers his keynote address. A former Department of Public Safety commissioner, Camacho is also a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel.
Sam Sosa plays the bagpipe.
Members of Echo Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, and the 302nd Quartermaster Company, U.S. Army Reserve, fire a 21-gun salute.
CNMI officials, veterans, servicemembers, and families of military personnel interred at the Veterans Cemetery in Marpi walk together during the wreath-laying ceremony.
A 21 Gun Salute took part as part of the ceremony
Ret. Lt. Col. Edward Camacho
