A new chapter of honor and remembrance begins today with the ribbon cutting of the Guam Veterans Cemetery chapel, a dedicated space recognizing the service and sacrifice of Guam's veterans.

This morning marked a historic moment for Guam’s veterans, their families, and the generations they represent. Behind the doors now stands a newly refurbished Guam Veterans Cemetery chapel — a space meant for reflection, remembrance, and dignity. Jose San Agustin, director, Guam Office of Veterans Affairs, said, "This morning is a historical moment. Behind me stands a chapel that has served thousands and thousands of active duty service members , veterans, their families, and also babies."

With the ribbon cut, the Office of Veterans Affairs says the chapel is ready to move forward — serving as both a place of mourning and a symbol of honor.  Governor Lou Leon Guerrero described the occasion as momentous, yet solemn, noting the long journey to restore the chapel into a facility worthy of those it serves.

"This chapel is just one facility that honors the veterans," she said. "It has been a long time coming, to refurbish, renovate, and get this chapel up to a classy, a solemn, very dignified, facility for you who have sacrificed your lives for your families and loved ones."

Leaders emphasized that while grief may fill the space, so too will gratitude and celebration of lives lived in service. Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio said, "Behind these doors there's going to be a lot of mourning but a whole lot of remembrance and celebration. Remembering it is our obligation to continue to keep up the legacy of those who have served our country that are going to be interred here forever."

Also speaking was Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane, chair on health and veterans affairs, who tied the ceremony together with a simple but powerful theme. "That is coming home. And what is truly means to care for the people in places we say we honor," she said.

A chapel renewed — not just as a building — but as a promise to remember, to honor, and to care for Guam’s veterans, today and always.