05/28/2016
2016 Memorial Day Tribute:
The Chamorro Fallen Soldier – Never to be Forgotten
The skies were blanketed with Japanese zeros as sirens echoed warning signals down below over the island of Guam. Chamorro men, women, and children scrambled everywhere for safety throughout the island. It was Sunday, December 8, 1941 as this tropical island of the Pacific was no longer covered with lavish greenery but instead tortured human remains depicting the severe atrocities of war. The full liberation of Guam took three weeks with 1,800 US servicemen, 52 Chamorro Navy servicemen, and 1170 local Chamorros killed. July 21, 1944, dedicated as the day of Guam’s Liberation ushered in the naturalization of every Chamorro as a United States Citizen.
The tragedy of WW II left sadness yet revolted feelings amongst the surviving villagers, especially the young men and women. It was like a match that lit a spark and spread like wildfire: the impulse to join the US Military Services. Granted, the more practical reasons for joining the military were echoed by many parents. “Set an example for your siblings”, “Leave the island to the land of opportunity”, or “You are old enough to work and help our family”. Unbeknownst to their impelling efforts, the Chamorro soldiers were soon to partake in other campaigns of war in the years to come. July 1953 was the end of the Korean War, 19 Chamorro soldiers KIA. March 1973, last US troops left South Vietnam, yet to claim 70 Chamorro soldiers. March 2003, OIF/OEF claimed the lives of another 22 Chamorro men and women of the armed forces.
Our Chamorro ancestry revealed in the annuals of history books the concepts of battle, strength, endurance, and power, as the means to protect our island. This honor as a Chamorro continues to our generation as we have seen loved ones dedicated to the US military sacrifice their lives in a war not of our own. Yet, this symbolism of Patriotism knows no gender. Chamorro women have held their place proudly in the ranks of their military Chamorro brothers. Dolores Atoigue Namauleg (9/1930-1/2013) was one of first Chamorro women to join the United States Navy in the Korean War. Carmen Jesus Garrido, first Chamorro woman to enlist in the United States Army, also during the Korean War. However, they had to fight the war of discrimination, shock of environmental changes, and sexual abuse before the war on a battle field. Their courageous acts of determination paved the way for hundreds of Chamorro Women to stand proudly in a United States military uniform.
We all experience sadness and grief as we remember the fathers, sons, mothers, or daughters and all loved ones, who sacrificed their lives during war time on this Memorial Day, May 30, 2016. Let us, as Chamorro Veterans, carry the torch of honor to ensure that the sacrifices of our Chamorro brothers and sisters will never be forgotten. “CHE’LU, WE REMEMBER YOU!!”
By Joanna Torre
