Guam commemorates 81st Liberation with a call to ‘stand CHamoru’

By Ron Rocky Coloma

Frank Blas Jr. never heard war stories from his grandmother. Not once. But he remembers something else.

“Every day, my grandmother had a certain nuance,” he said. “When she would come home from work or from what she was doing, she would always go out to the yard. And in a, you know, bend motion, would pull grass, would pull weeds, and she would do this for hours.”

It wasn’t until years later that he learned the truth. She had been forced into labor during the war, made to pick up rocks and pull weeds to help build a Japanese airfield on Guam. She never spoke of it, but her body remembered. Her silence was loud.

That memory lingers as Guam marks the 81st anniversary of its liberation from Japanese occupation. This year’s theme, “Fanoghe CHamoru”—the opening line of Guam’s anthem—was chosen to honor that enduring spirit. Translated, it means “Stand Ye CHamoru.”

This phrase is the shape of survival.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero urged reflection in her address. “As we mark the 81st anniversary of Guam's liberation,” she said, “we pause to reflect on what this day truly means for all of us.”

Lt. Gov. Governor Josh Tenorio called it “Guam's most cherished holiday,” tying it directly to the island’s identity.

“It reminds us of who we are,” Tenorio said. “An island that endured and survived the darkness of war with pride, resilience and unity. To our greatest generation, those who lived through the occupation and witnessed the return of freedom firsthand, we are here today because you never gave up hope.”

Liberation Day, observed each July 21, commemorates the day in 1944 when U.S. forces reclaimed the island after nearly three years of Japanese occupation. Tens of thousands of CHamorus endured forced labor, imprisonment and violence during the war.

Leon Guerrero paid tribute to the Americans who died in the effort to restore freedom.

“We also honor the U.S. Marines, soldiers and sailors who landed on our shores and helped liberate our people,” she said. “Many of them paid the ultimate price, and we are forever grateful.”

Adm. Josh Lasky, commander of the Joint Task Force Micronesia, joined Guam in honoring “the memory of those who endured the occupation, the courage of the brave men and women who fought for freedom and tenacity of those who rebuilt this beautiful island and community with pride and purpose.”

Adm. Brett Mietus, commander of the Joint Region Marianas, said the Liberation Day celebration served as a reminder of “strong partnerships between Guam and the U.S. military,” that is “built on our shared history, mutual respect, and our unwavering commitment to peace and security.”

“We reaffirm our commitment to this island. We join with this wonderful community to celebrate 81 years of freedom. We reaffirm our commitment to this island, its people and our future,” he said a video message.

Chief Justice Robert Torres described Liberation Day as a reminder of both tragedy and triumph.

“Our island endured immense hardship and suffering under a harsh occupation,” he said. “Families were torn apart, lives were forever changed and the spirit of our community was tested in ways unimaginable.”

Still, the community endured. “We teach our children about the importance of freedom and liberty and the cost at which it was won,” Torres said. “We unite as a community, drawing strength from our shared past and the promise of our future.”

The 81st anniversary also aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Organic Act of Guam, signed into law on August 1, 1950. The act granted U.S. citizenship to Guam residents and established a civilian government, marking the start of Guam’s modern political development.

Japan’s Consul-General Susumu Ueda joined in honoring those who suffered during the war. “I expressed... my sincerest and deepest respect and remorse on behalf of Japan to all the people who run the military and the CHamoru war survivors,” he said. “We will never forget your sacrifice.”

Colonel Dan Cooley, commander of Andersen Air Force Base’s 36th Wing, emphasized that Guam’s past shapes its partnerships today.

“Liberation Day is more than just a date on a calendar,” he said. “It’s a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and a symbol of hope born from adversity. Team Andersen is not just located on Guam. Team Andersen is a part of Guam.”

Tenorio urged residents to keep sharing stories. “We know these stories can be painful,” he said, “but they must be told again and again so our children and grandchildren understand the cost of freedom.”

And for Frank Blas Jr., it’s for his grandmother too. Quiet hands pulling weeds. A body that remembered. A prayer answered 81 years ago.

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