Guam’s 79th Liberation packed with full day of events to celebrate and remember

Taking a quiet moment ahead of the 79th Liberation Day festivities –to remember and honor the sacrifice and resiliency of those who lost their lives, fought for freedom, and survived the atrocities of World War II on Guam. 

Scores of the island community will gather on the morning of July 21 for a mass at 9 in the morning at the Agana Cathedral Basilica

The celebration then takes us over to the stage at the Guam Museum — at 11 a.m.,  a unified memorial planned in place of the public typically visiting the 11 memorial sites.

It's spots that took on severe damage from Typhoon Mawar, Mayors' Council Vice President and Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann said. 

“We constructed latte stones that the wreaths will be placed on– and representatives from those specific memorials, alongside their mayors as well as other dignitaries from the military, the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judiciary," he said. "After that, it’ll kind of be a nice solemn pause of what we’re doing.” 

He told KUAM despite the uncertainties of this year’s celebration, recognizing those impacted during the Japanese occupation - without a doubt - is significant. 

“If anything–if we did not have a block party and we only had one thing–we would only hold the memorials–and that’s one thing we committed to doing no matter what the state of the island was," he said. 

 A block party will happen at the CHamoru Village festival huts from 2 to 10 p.m. - all with fireworks and a drone light show. 

But, the day before - on July 20, it will be a rather intimate event for our survivors.

“The Baldyga Group has invited our war survivors to Sandcastle–or what was Sandcastle to view the special show, Karera," Hofmann said. "So, that’s really nice of them.” 

Guam's survivors and their families are being treated to a special night of entertainment and relaxation.

The mayors, the Guam Visitors Bureau, and Sen. Jesse Jujan came together to coordinate a matinee showing of the sandcastle's new show “Karera” down in Tumon at no cost to the Greatest Generation.  

Lujan, who in his previous terms coordinated events at the Sandcastle for the island’s manamko', said he’s excited to do it again.

“This is going to be on the 20th of July at 3 p.m. at the Sandcastle," he said. "So please get a hold of GVB–call GVB to make reservations, and again, this is free to war survivors and a family member or a guest–so it’s two people. Please get a hold of GVB as soon as possible, and make reservations. Again, the 20th of July at 3 p.m.–it’s a matinee show–you’ll love it!” 

"Karera" is a brand new multi-media stage production complete with music and dance. 

GVB spokesperson Josh Tyquiengco said it's a show our elders won't  

 “Also ties in with the theme of our Liberation, which is 'our journey towards peace,' and 'Karera' in CHamoru, means journey," he said. "So, it’s definitely a good segway and a good treat for our war survivors to experience ahead of remembering liberation day.”   

Officials are reaching out to survivors and their families who would like to attend. 

The Karera Matinee show is set for 3 p.m. on July 20 — just call GVB at (671) 646-5278 to reserve a seat.