Don Farrell, one of our historians on the War in the Pacific: Northern Marianas Tour, wrote a letter to the Saipan Tribune, thanking officials in Saipan and Tinian for all they did to welcome last year’s tour guests. Of note, is the special experience everyone had, listening to the veterans tell stories of their fathers’ roles in World War II. You can read the letter in its entirely below.
Thank You
On behalf of Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours, please allow me to say thank you to the 80th Anniversary Committee, headed by Gordon Marciano and implemented by Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, and to Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, the Veterans Affairs Office, the Marianas Visitors Authority, as well as the staff and management of the American Memorial Park for all they did to welcome this year’s veterans tour of Saipan and Tinian.
Congratulations are also in order for your correspondent, Chrystal Marino, for composing the clearly heartfelt story about the commemoration that appeared in the Saipan Tribune on March 28.
Chris Anderson hit the nail on the head with his description of the warm greetings we received wherever we went on Saipan and Tinian. Near the end of the tour, our group’s tour director/historian, Mark Waycaster, USMC Ret., conducted a brief group analysis of the tour with our guests. Collectively, they stated that the lunch prepared for us at Taga Beach, Tinian, prepared by JC’s Cafe, was one of their most memorable events because of the local participation. Members of the Tinian ROTC Stallion Battalion, led by Capt. Santos and 1st Sgt. King, joined us and sat with our guests, asking questions and listening to the veterans tell stories of their fathers’ roles in World War II. Mayor Aldan gave outstanding opening remarks before local resident historian Deborah Fleming said grace. I was so very proud of my students and neighbors.
If we had a mechanism to resolve the transportation problem, it would be wonderful if we could add a day on Rota. Even though that island was not invaded and captured during Operation Forager, the story of their survival—as the most bombed island in the Pacific during World War II—also needs to be told and retold and remembered.
Thank you all for supporting the commemoration of 80 years of peace in the Marianas that resulted from the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Don A. Farrrell
Staff Historian
Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours
Travel on the War in the Pacific Tour
Please join us for a transformative experience on the War in the Pacific Tour: Northern Marianas. Led by historians who are experts on the Pacific Theater, including Don Farrell, you will travel to the islands where the battles raged on the land, air and sea.
