The final resting place for loved ones now reduced to a place for illegal dumping. That’s the current condition of the Vicente A. Limtiaco Memorial Cemetery, also known as Tiguac, in Piti. But the Guam Coral Reef Initiative looks to clean up the old hallowed grounds, in honor of World Oceans Day 2022. Guam Coral Reef Initiative Watershed coordinator Patrick Keeler gave details on the clean-up this coming week.

"This Saturday actually, we’ll be starting at 9 a.m. at the Vicente Limtiaco Cemetery on Nimitz Hill, we usually do a marine debris cleanup on World Oceans Day, which is this coming Wednesday, June 8th," he said. "However, we’re doing the cleanup itself on the 11th to make it more accessible to the public. So we’ll be there with trash bags, gloves, we’ll have water, so bring your reusable water bottles."

According to Keeler, the Guam Coral Reef Initiative usually chooses a beachside area to do the cleanup, but after hearing of illegal dumping going on at the public cemetery they decided to act.

"We thought it a good idea to basically show that these things can and will be addressed as soon as possible, once the problems are shown," he said. "We’ve actually surveyed the area itself. So there’s actually trash all around the cemetery itself, not just the large sofas and refrigerators and that kind of stuff like that’s also dumped there. But we’re going to expand out, depending on how many people we get. We have enough supplies, so feel free to come join us. It’s family-friendly, all ages are welcome."

For those who want to lend a hand with the cemetery cleanup or have questions, you can email patrick.keeler@bsp.guam.gov to sign up or ask for more info. You can also check the Guam Coral Reef Initiative Facebook page for more info about the event or future cleanups. The cleanup happens this coming Saturday, June 11 at the Vicente A. Limtiaco Memorial Cemetery in Piti and start time is at 9 a.m.

"Come join us and the more the merrier," Keeler said.