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Liberation of Guam, Battle for NMI marked at Tomb of the Unknowns
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU) recently joined Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) and Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, at a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Mariana Islands. The ceremony was held at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Steve L. Muro, Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs; Brig. Gen. Ben Blaz, USMC (ret.), former member of Congress; CNMI Gov. Benigno Fitial; Vice Adm. William D. French, commander, Navy Installations Command; Ambassador Mike Moore of New Zealand; Ambassador Asterio Takesy of the Federated States of Micronesia; Mayor Carol Tayama of Agat; Alyssa Charfauros, 2011 Liberation Queen from Guam; and other military representatives and members of the diplomatic corps were also in attendance.
“The annual wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns honors the memory of the people of Guam who endured enemy occupation during World War II as well as the liberators who sacrificed on our behalf,” said Bordallo. “This year, as we commemorate the 68th Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam, we should also remember all the brave men and women who fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.
“I thank Admiral Greenert for helping to commemorate this solemn event. Guam has had a long and storied history with the Navy, and I look forward to our continued work together on issues critical to the military realignments in the Pacific.”
The wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of Unknowns is one of several annual commemorative events in Washington, D.C. to honor the Chamorros in Guam who endured 32 months of enemy occupation during World War II, and the Marines, soldiers, sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and airmen who fought to liberate Guam and the Northern Marianas.
The Guam Society of America also hosted its annual reception in honor of the 68th anniversary of the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Marianas in the Caucus Room of the historic Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Bordallo and Sablan are honorary hosts of this event.
By Press Release
