Across the island, November is more than a month on the calendar – it’s a reminder of the courage and sacrifice woven into Guam’s very identity. The Office of the Governor says Veterans Service Recognition Month ensures that the service of veterans, their families, and especially Gold Star families, is honored not just on Veterans Day, but all month long.

Generations of Guam residents have answered the call to serve, standing on the front lines of every major American conflict since World War I.  And today, the island continues to hold one of the highest per-capita rates of military service in the nation – a testament to its enduring spirit of duty and devotion.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero says, “Guam’s story is forever intertwined with the story of military service. Our sons and daughters have stepped forward, generation after generation, to defend our nation and protect the freedoms we hold dear.” Lieutenant Governor Joshua Tenorio added, “Service is more than a uniform. It is sacrifice, resilience, and love of country and island. Our veterans and their families continue to strengthen our workforce, our villages, and our future.”

This month, their administration is calling on all government agencies, schools, private businesses, and community organizations to take part through classroom programs, cultural preservation efforts, village ceremonies, and partnerships with the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs to expand awareness of benefits and services.

And as Governor Leon Guerrero says, “As one island, let us take this month to honor every veteran who has carried our flag, worn our nation’s cloth, and protected our home.”

Because honoring service means more than remembering – it means carrying their legacy forward this month and always.