Are you on Saipan or know someone who is? Are you ordering products on the internet and having them shipped to Saipan? Be careful, this bit of new information might just save you hours of frustration, and weeks and even months of unnecessary delay!
Are/were you ever living on Saipan? Do you recognize the two statues from these 1944 photos? Where are they now?
The Story: Eighty years ago, Manny Rosa–a member of the Construction Battalion (Seabees) who were stationed here after the Battle of Saipan–contributed his artistic and carpentry talents to restoring and repairing some of the religious statues here on island. Eighty years later, his grandson Jordan Rosa is making a pilgrimage and wishes to find these two statues his grandfather worked on. Are they in a family collection, buried/decomissioned by the church, off island in the mainland or other Pacific island, or are they in storage somewhere? If you have information on what happened to or the present location of either of these statues, please contact walt@discoversaipan.com text (670) 484-2801 as soon as possible!
The artist
Manuel Francis Rosa. Often called ‘Manny’ or ‘Pete’. Chief Petty Officer 137th Battalion, 595th CBMUsmall statue:
The man on the left is Herb, who helped Manny restore this statue. Manny Rosa, on the right received national press for restoring religious statues while on Saipan during his spare time. This is the last statue prior to being restored.
large statue:
CPO Rosa (left) and Herb restoring one of the statues.
Manuel Francis Rosa. Often called ‘Manny’ or ‘Pete’. Chief Petty Officer 137th Battalion, 595th CBMU
small statue:The man on the left is Herb, who helped Manny restore this statue. Manny Rosa, on the right received national press for restoring religious statues while on Saipan during his spare time. This is the last statue prior to being restored.
large statue:CPO Rosa (left) and Herb restoring one of the statues.
A few bonus photos:
Subscribe to be notified of the release of more amazing photos from Manny Rosa’s time on Saipan!
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Your Free Gifts!
YOUR FREE GIFTS!
In appreciation of your support helping the @discoversaipan Youtube channel achieve the 1,000 subscriber milestone (and even if you didn’t subscribe), you can receive a free copy of There’s Something About Saipan! A Visitor’s Guide To Fantastic Facts, Tantalizing Trivia, Startling Statistics, Dramatic Diaries and Hair-raising History From America’s Most Colorful Island Territory!” by Walt Goodridge, the Jamaican on Saipan!
And as we say in Jamaica, to give you a “likkle brawta” (something extra), I’ll also throw in a copy of Ducks in a Row??? How To Find the Courage to Finally Quit Your Soul-draining, Life-sapping, Energy-depleting, Freedom-robbing Job Now…before It’s Too Late…and Live Passionately Ever After! just in case you need a little motivation and inspiration to execute your own escape from the rat race to find your special paradise!
Once you confirm your email address, it will take a few minutes for the system to process before receiving A SEPARATE email titled “Your Freebies!”
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We did it! 1,000 Youtube Subscribers!
Thanks to all who’ve subscribed and who’ve hung in there to help the DiscoverSaipan Youtube channel reach a community milestone of 1,000 subscribers! Once we get the official confirmation (in about 48 hours), and we’re in the safe zone (1,002+ subscribers) to account for any who may unsubscribe, I’ll have a free gift for everyone! What do I mean, “everyone?” I’ll let Gary Oldman clarify:
[From one of my favorite movies, Leon, The Professional.]
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Help me test the new Tinian Tour App!
GooglePlay requires that new apps be tested by real people (20 or more) before the apps can be approved for public release. So, I need your help! Once the test version of the app is released, I’ll ask you to
• Go to GooglePlay (I’ll provide a link)
• Download and install the Test Version of the app
• Keep it on your phone for at least 14 days
In return, you’ll receive
• Permanent access and unlimited upgrades to the free version
• The Premium Version (reg. $9.95) absolutely free!
• Any other freebie I can think of!
Sign up below:
While driving the historic runway “Delta” (as one does), formerly known as “Runway Dog,” we ran into Operations Superintendent Master Sergeant Branson (originally from Texas), who was gracious enough to answer a few impromptu questions about the Tinian Runway revitalization posed by my guests from New Zealand–while the Wall Street Journal reporters were doing their own interview. Check it out: “US Military Clears Historic Tinian Runways”
Also:
“Driving on Runway Charlie”
“Tinian Runway Update; Sept 6, 2024:
INFO ABOUT THE CONTRACTS RECENTLY AWARDED:
AIRFIELD PROJECT
Award: Pavement and Transportation Support North Field, Tinian
Value: $409 million
Location: Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Client: U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2024/04/10/us-air-force-issues-409-million-award-for-long-sought-pacific-airfield/
https://newsroom.fluor.com/news-releases/news-details/2024/Fluor-Awarded-U.S.-Air-Force-Contract-Augmentation-Program-V-Task-Order-for-Tinian/default.aspx
ADDITIONAL AIRPORT PROJECT
Award: Tinian International Airport project
Value: $222 million
Location: Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Client: Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/tutor-perini-subsidiary-wins-222m-airport-project/648982/
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Big T’ings on Saipan!
In Jamaica, we say “big t’ings a gwan!” It translates to “big things are going on!” Here on Saipan, the world famous Thursday Night Street Market is back after a multi-year hiatus! Check it out and make sure you plan your next visit to Saipan so you’re here on a Thursday night AND a Saturday morning (for the Såbalu Market)!
Thursday Night Street Market (Walkabout with Walt aka “Waltabout!”):
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In His Father’s Footsteps
Alan Sonntag’s father participated in the Battle of Saipan. His wife Peggy’s father stormed Utah Beach (Normandy, France) on D-Day. The couple recently visited Saipan on a pilgrimage to have a virtual “Then & Now Father & Child Reunion” with Alan’s father. I had the honor and pleasure of making that wish come true. Read the interview here:
(14 photos are in the slide; click the arrows to view)
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/in-his-fathers-footsteps-a-battle-of-saipan-veterans-son-pilgrimage/article_332556f0-e1ca-11ee-891c-03f2940e3c00.html
Watch it here:
As promised in the video, here are the photos Alan Sonntag brought with him to Saipan (Leave a comment telling Alan where a given photograph was taken):
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In case you didn’t know, the empire of Germany actually had possession of these islands for 15 years from 1899 to 1914, and there is still some of that influence (names, language, etc.) within the local community. Well, “the Germans” have returned! A fun-loving, cool group of folks visiting on the cruise ship MS Artania from out of Hamburg! Join me on a wunderschön (beautiful) day on Saipan:
And, they made it into one of the local papers the next day!
Check out the color photos on the Marianas Variety website!