Monday, April 28, 2008

Hard Rock Cafe Pin Collectors

The island recently experienced an influx of not only military personnel (with four successive visits of US Navy vessels) but also tourists including this group—a group of pin collectors from Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and the United States banded together not only for the love of collecting pins but for the friendship they earned in every Hard Rock Cafe branch they visit.

This month, eight of them visited Saipan after their Guam and Tokyo visits.

Lessons in history with war veterans

Hap Halloran and Don Farrell at the Atomic Bomb Pit No. 2

Jerry Facey and Hap Halloran at the airport


This month, the IL Magazine editor had the privilege to fly to Tinian with Hap Halloran and toured the historical sites with Halloran, local historian Don Farrell and Jerry Facey.

For details of the tour and conversations with the WWII war veteran, see Island Locator's May issue.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

VFW Saipan Post Reception

Commander Doody expressing his gratitude for the hafa adai hospitality extended to him and his crew.

Crew members pose for the magazine at the VFW Post headquarters

From left, Mariano Fajardo, Commander Ovios, Ruth Coleman, and Lt. Gov. Villagomez


VFW Post commander Mariano Fajardo also hands out a plaque of appreciation to both commanders.

Commanders Doody and Ovios meet the wife of the lt. governor.

Lt. gov. Villagomez gives Commander Doody a plaque of appreciation in behalf of the CNMI Government.

USS Columbus Commander Doody poses with Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez after handing him a commemorative plaque.



Members of the VFW Saipan Post welcomed the officers and crew of USS Columbus and USS Ingraham at their Beach Road headquarters.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Reception for USS Ingraham/Columbus


The women of Hard Rock Cafe teach
the guests their signature dance.

Steve Jang and Dr. Susan Fishman join the party

USS Ingraham LCDR Riebe's proteges strike
a pose for the magazine.


Commander Ovios shakes the hands of Judge Wiseman as he receives a plaque
of appreciation from the Chamber of Commerce of Saipan
USS Columbus' outgoing executive officer Curtis Duncan
takes the time to pose for posterity.

USS Ingraham's Lt. Cmdr. Pete Riebe, Chief Steve Tenison,
and Chief Cletus Thayer pose for IL Magazine along with
their fellow USS Ingraham officers.

Judge Wiseman, 2nd left, and Doug Brennan, 3rd left, pose with the two commanders:
Commander Matt Ovios, right, and Commander Doody

The Chamber of Commerce receives a commemorative
plaque from USS Columbus Commanding Officer Comdr. Doody

From left, USS Columbus Executive Officer Lincoln Reifsteck with Chamber's
Armed Forces Committee Chair Judge David Wiseman and PUC's Kyle Calabrese


HEAD-TO-HEAD. Chamber president James Arenovsky poses
with USS Columbus Commander Doody


Saipan Chamber of Commerce's Harry Blalock, seated in red shirt, and Doug Brennan, in blue shirt, join other Chamber officers to welcome the military personnel.

Hard Rock Cafe Operations Manager Aldwin Cullat and Military
and Veterans Affairs head Ruth Coleman welcomed the sailors.
Hard Rock Cafe Saipan hosted the sailors as neophyte sailors savor the hafa adai hospitality while those who have been here before relive their fondest memories of the place.


Arriving a day earlier than the USS Ingraham, the USS Columbus pulled into Saipan harbor on April 15th.

The USS Ingraham at the port of Saipan



Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Hafa Adai USS Ingraham, USS Columbus

Saipan welcomes to its shores a Los Angeles Class submarine and an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate for their R&R.

Pulling into Saipan Harbor on April 15th and 16th, the two US Navy vessels will be treated to a superb island hospitality that kicks off with a reception at the Hard Rock Cafe and to be followed by another reception at the VFW Post on April 17th.

Brothers and sisters, let us give our visitors the superb hospitality we can extend to them and let them feel the hafa adai spirit.

To the men and women of the USS Columbus and USS Ingraham, relax and enjoy and we hope you'll have fun in your short stay on Saipan.

(Story on their Hard Rock Cafe reception to follow along with photos)