by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The roads in Hagatna should be clear by this evening from today's procession in honor of the island's patron saint, Santa Marian Kamalen. It wasn't like that 70 years ago, however, as the streets were filled with panic and fear as the Japanese began their attack on Guam.

The Guam War Survivors Memorial Foundation, along with the Guam Legislature, the Archdiocese of Hagatna and the congresswoman's office teamed up to hold a special memorial mass this morning. It was a service to remember what happened seven decades ago, when mass to commemorate Santa Marian Kamalen was abruptly cut short. It was 70 years ago today that the Japanese began their invasion.

Carmen Artero Kasperbauer was just six years old at the time. She was one of the angels during the Santa Marian Kamalen mass holding a basket of petals. Like the many others who were at church at the time they heard the thunder of planes but thought it was just another Pan-Am flight - they were wrong. Instead, the Japanese were beginning their aerial assault bringing hell on earth to the thousands of Chamorros who suddenly found themselves in the middle of World War II. She said they "tried to leave Agana and everybody was panicking and it was pure chaos; it was terrible."

70 years later, a survivor of the war, Kasperbauer returns to the cathedral to finish that mass that so long ago was cut short, reflecting and giving praise. "It's because of true faith and belief that Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, who interceded through her son to us and kept us alive," she said.

It's faith that island leaders like Senator Frank Blas, Jr. keep hoping Washington will finally approve war reparations for the survivors of the Japanese occupation during World War II. "Hopefully, one day our people will receive the recognition and recompense that they rightfully deserve and mind you they are the last ones and the only ones in the world that have yet to receive this. Until that such time, we will continue to honor them."

Aside from today's events, the War in the Pacific National Historical Park invites the public for a special program to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Japanese invasion of Guam. The program, entitled "Typhoon of War: Remembering the Invasion of Guam at 70 years," will begin at 7pm on Saturday, December 10 at the Plaza De Espana In Hagatnaa.