Charlie San Nicolas of Barrigada is first in line Tuesday morning for a chance to grab a spot along the 81st Liberation Day Parade route.  

He’s been outside the Department of Parks and Recreation in Paseo since 3 a.m.

“The other guy last year came out at 8am so I tried to beat him,” said San Nicolas. 

Parks and Rec won’t be issuing the first-come first-serve permits until 8 a.m. Wednesday, but over a dozen already hunkering down with canopies, chairs and fans by early Tuesday morning.

San Nicolas is prepared to camp out for nearly 30 hours, all for his family. 

“I have some guys flying in, some cousins are coming in to join us and I got my wife and kids out there too. So I’m just trying to get a nice spot for everybody,” added San Nicolas. 

And he’s making some new friends while he’s at it. 

“I just like the togetherness. Even here, hanging out with the guys and making some friends. I met a lot of people out here. I like that old school hanging out, barbecuing and getting to know everybody,” he said. 

It’s become a tradition for Dededo resident Tomas Fejeran and his family, who’s been here since 6:30 a.m. 

“My brother-in-law got interviewed and he was the first person to get the spot,” said Fejeran. “It’s a chance for the family to get together and remember who was in the war, what stories they have, if any.”

For many, Liberation is a day of remembrance, to honor all who gave their lives during World War II and those who survived. 

And each carries the stories of their families, like Dededo resident Leroy Quintanilla.

“The stories of what our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have gone through, that’s really bad. War is nothing right. We thank all the soldiers and every body that gave their lives, limbs and mental spaces for us,” said Quintanilla. 

But some just learned that lines won’t officially open until 5 p.m. due to lawn maintenance, causing confusion.

“We came out here and they said, ‘you guys are going to have to move because they’re going to cut the grass and no lining up for the permits until 5pm.’ So what about the people that are already here? Park police had already agreed that the people here will be courteous enough and we want to keep the respect here,” added Quintanilla. 

Still, these early campers are determined to secure their spot along this year’s parade route and they're not letting anything put a damper on their family tradition.