Among the more than 5,000 aboard the USS Nimitz, are six sailors with Guam roots who are excited to return home for a few days. For those aboard the Nimitz, their time here on Guam is an opportunity to rest, relax, take in the scenic sites of the island, and in the words of Rear Admiral Christopher Sweeney - 'regain their readiness.'

However, for six sailors with ties to Guam, it's a chance to see loved ones they haven't seen in a while and immerse themselves in everything about they missed about home.

For former Malesso resident Seaman Apprentice (Sn) Tylar Barcinas, who is a 2017 graduate of Temple Baptist Christian School, when she got word the carrier would be making a port visit to Guam, she was excited. First order of business?

"I'm gonna go to the beach!" she proclaimed. Barcinas, who has been in the military for ten months said she didn't tell her family that she would be arriving on island because she wanted to surprise them.

Sharing in the excitement was Jayvin Chargualaf who has been an electrician's mate fireman on the carrier for about a year. Chargualaf, who is based out of San Diego has family roots in Inalahan and Yona said the last time he was on island was back in 2018 but in 2016, he was here taking part in the Festival of the Pacific Arts as a cultural dancer.

"Glad to come back and see the family," he shared happily. "Just enjoy my time out during this deployment." And one of the local staples he looks forward to eating?

"I gotta get my manha tatiyas in. My red rice of course, the bbq....kelaguen- any kind of kelaguen- preferably octopus," he said.

And knowing they were from Guam, their fellow shipmates definitely wanted to know where to go and what to eat? "I don't really go out to eat CHamoru food so it was hard because we cook at home. So I told them to go to Proa, check out Meskla, and I told them Chamorro Village. That's where you get the real CHamoru bbq," one sailor said.

Another said, "I told them Chamorro Village, hit the beaches. I told them its gonna be some of the most beautifulest beaches they'll probably ever go to. Check out all the mom and pop shops make sure they get their pickled papaya, pickled mango, pickled eggs- that's what i'm doing!"

And before they made their way out for some much needed R&R, they had to show some love to the ones who made it all possible. Barcinas added, "Shoutout to my family most especially, and to Chief Lamone, I'd like to give him a shoutout....he made sure i was able to get off the boat while on Guam."

"Shoutout to my mom, happy early birthday!" added Chargualaf.

"I'm very grateful for my parents and all my family for raising me the way they did. I probably wouldnt be where I'm at right now. I feel like they've helped prepare me for the military. That's just being Chamorro in general. Coming from humble beginnings, being a hard worker, and knowing what hard work is."