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USNB to host Back to Sumay Day
Santa Rita, Guam—U.S. Naval Base Guam commanding officer Capt. Andy Anderson is inviting former residents of Sumay village and their descendants to the 6th annual Back to Sumay Day event on NBG on April 11.
The annual event, coordinated with the Santa Rita Mayor’s Office, began in 2010 by then-base commanding officer Capt. Scott Galbreaith with the goal of inviting former residents of the pre-World War II village and their descendants back to the site.
A Mass will be held 11am at Clipper Landing Park pavilions on NBG. Following the Mass, there will be food, music, cultural dancing entertainment and a display of photos dating back to pre-World War II Sumay. During the event, historical tours will be offered in partnership with the mayor’s office and Guampedia.
Former Sumay residents and descendants are also invited to stop by the Sumay Cemetery to pay respect to their family members buried at the site. The Coastal Riverine Group Detachment 1 Guam Chief Petty Officer Association will provide flowers for those visiting the cemetery from 10am to 1pm or while supplies last.
Sumay village was once known as the “Pearl of the Island” before the war. Evolving from a small fishing village to the agricultural and commercial hub for ships in the mid-1800s, it became an economically rich village by the 1930s.
