Guam Liberation Day - July 21, 1944 ...
Hafa adai - Hello!
Tomorrow is the 69th anniversary of the Liberation of Guam by the US Military - although at the time this will be published, it will already be "the" day - on Guam, "Where America's Day Begin's ... "
The island became an American territory in the late 1800's, and was under American rule, except for the years 1941-1944, when it was under Japanese occupation. I write this as a proud daughter, granddaughter, and niece to the many members of my family who witnessed this event ... and who suffered through the horrendous Japanese occupation during World War II. I can only imagine how they coped with the situation. I salute those, both military and civilian, who gave their lives to free my family, my people ... and I humbly sit at the feet of those who endured the horrors of being interred in the concentration camps. They were equally as brutal as those in Europe, though not as well published. I am blessed to know that I will NEVER have to suffer what my family did, because of the sacrifices already made.
My father doesn't talk too much of what went on during that time in his life. He was born in 1939, and by the time the Japanese invaded the island in 1941, not long after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was 2-years-old, the 5th child of 7. His youngest sister was an infant, and his mom was pregnant with his youngest brother. I remember the stories my Dad told me of the entire family being herded into Manengon Concentration Camp, and of their long trek, walking to it ... of how all of the children (and adults) had to be quiet, and be respectful, obey, and bow to the Japanese soldiers ... lest they succumb to beatings or even death by bayonet. I know that a vast majority of the "strong and virile" men were taken into the caves at the beach and beheaded. It was certainly no way to live as a child ... or as a human being.
Dad's youngest brother [Francisco Lizama Taitano] was born, although he died from malnutrition in the camp, and was buried - somewhere unknown - as the family marched along the camp trail. His mom soon followed in death, as she had an illness following Uncle Frankie's birth, and was discharged from the hospital to make way for the Japanese military wounded. We don't know where Grandma [Joaquina Crisostomo Lizama] is buried to this day. My father told me that as the family was on the way to the family cemetery with her, ready for burial, the bombings began, and so they buried her quickly at the side of the road, and went to safety. When they returned, the geography was unrecognizable from the bombing raid, and they never found her to bury her properly. Dad told me stories of how Grandpa [Carlos Flores Taitano] would swim underwater in the river that ran through the camp, and leave to go get food for everyone and return. His comings and goings were not noticed by the soldiers guarding them ... but he would do that, sacrifice HIS safety, to keep his family, and as many others as possible, adequately fed.
Our family was quite prominent on the island ... and they owned several large tracts of land, and served within the government. During the occupation, the Japanese forced my family, and many others to convert our land in the central portion of Guam into an airfield. This land eventually became Harmon Field. My family broke their backs working. When the American military came, they took some of our land at the northern end of the island to establish the Air Force Base.
I remember stories my Dad told me, of his blind Grandfather [Juan San Nicolas Taitano] and how Dad went out to save him, leading him to safety, when he saw bullets striking the grass around him, from airplanes flying above. He told me he would lay in the long grass above the beach, obscured from view, and watch the military planes fly over his head. He also told me that when the US Military finally did come and liberate the island, he would sing and dance to amuse the soldiers.
There are so many things to be thankful for ... for the fact that my family got through this experience, despite their losses, as strong and as "ornery" as ever. Having lived through this, obviously made all of the Guamanians (known as Chamorros) VERY pro-American, and I don't doubt that the vast majority of them joined the US military as a result ...as did my Dad. Guam is still a Trust Territory of the United States, and the Guam Organic Act of 1950, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, provided US Citizenship to the residents of Guam. Many interesting war-related relics STILL pepper the island to this day ... and the well-known story of Sgt. Yokoi, the Japanese soldier, who hid out in the Guam boonies (jungle) until 1973 - not knowing the war was over - is always retold. What I have learned, based on their experiences, is the resilience and strength of my family, my people.
I will close with love and rememberance on this special day on my Island of Guam ... to my family, I send love ... to those who were involved in the liberation - and to their families who sacrificed - I send my unending gratitude.
Si Yu'us ma'ase - Thank you
"Spam" ... because I can ... and as a wink to my Chamorro Family/Friends ...
Photo Credits:
Guam Historical Photo's: Guampedia.com
Guam Historical Photo's: Guampedia.com
Guam Spam: Tumblr
