Liberation Day!

On July 21, 1944, after several days of US Naval bombardment to soften up the Japanese defenses, the United States returned to Guam and began its liberation of the island.  On the west coast of Guam the 3rd Marine Division landed on Asan Beach, while the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed in Agat.  The distance between the two was only seven miles, but in between these two landings was Orote Peninsula where the harbor and airstrip were, and the village of Sumay.  Find more details of the invasion landing at: http://olivedrab.com/od_history_ww2_ops_battles_1944marianas_guam.php. 


US Naval Base Guam now occupies what was once Sumay, but 68 years later, evidence of the war remains on Orote Peninsula and throughout the island.  A series of Japanese defense caves can still be seen bored into the limestone near Apra Harbor on US Naval Base Guam.  These caves have since been closed up, but the openings are still very visible.  

Japanese defense caves in the former village of Sumay.

Along the harbor at San Luis Beach are the charred and rusted remains of the Japanese fuel piers, and in Apra harbor itself is the wreck of a Japanese seaplane, as well as the wreck of the Tokai Maru.  The Tokai Maru came to rest beside another world war wreck, this one from World War I, the German ship SMS Cormoran.

What remains of Japanese fuel piers in Apra Harbor.

From the top of Nimitz Hill there is a breath-taking view of Asan Beach. Imagine what it must have been like to have had this view of the 3rd Marine landing!  Imagine what it must have been like to look up the steep, and in some cases, sheer cliff walls, knowing that your enemy was well entrenched above and the objective was to take those heights as quickly as possible!

View of Asan Beach from the overlook on Nimitz Hill, June 2011.

View from the War in the Pacific National Park, Asan Beach, looking up at the heights above.  
Memorial Day, May 27, 2012.

Other WWII historical sites include the South Pacific Memorial Peace Park in the village of Yigo.  Down the slopes to the right of the Peace Park is the cave where Lt. General Hideyoshi Obata, commander of the 31st Division, committed suicide on August 11, 1944.  There is also the War in the Pacific Museum just outside the gate of US Navy Base Guam that has a fascinating display of World War II and Guam, and well worth the time to visit.  There are the bomb holes in the shoreline of the village of Piti, the Japanese coastal defense guns on static display in the village of Agat, to name a few.

South Pacific Memorial Peace Park, Yigo Guam

Memorial sign for Lt. General Hideyoshi Obata.

Cave where Lt. General Obata committed suicide.

There are the Chamorro massacre sites at Tinta and Faha Caves, at the caves near Fena Lake, Manneggon, and the Chagui'an massacre site nearby the South Pacific Memorial Peace Park in Yigo, places where Guam remembers those who suffered the greatest atrocities.

It is interesting, and makes you stop and ponder with awe the terrible events that took place on this island, those who fought to the death to hold it, those who gave the last full measure of devotion to reclaim it, those innocents who died and the ones who survived to carry on to help rebuild their island while carrying the physical and emotional scars from their terrible ordeal for the rest of their lives.

Since the invasion, Guam takes time every year to mark Liberation Day with a parade here on the island, and wherever Guamanians are around the world it is a day of celebration and remembrance.

TCCOR: Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness

If you live on Guam it is important to know the current TCCOR status.

Guam is right in the middle of Typhoon Alley and, as a result, is always in a state of typhoon readiness, depending on the proximity of a typhoon threat.  How would you know how close a typhoon is, and what should you do?  

By staying alert to weather conditions by tuning into island weather reports on local radio, television, cable, or Internet, and by learning the TCCOR conditions, you will be ready in case a typhoon comes knocking .  Guam, as well as Andersen Air Force Base and Navy Base Guam have five conditions of typhoon readiness, often referred to as TCCOR (Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness).  They break down into the following categories:

*  TCCOR 4 -- Normal Operations --  This means that sustained winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater from a tropical typhoon are possible within the next 72 hours.   

*  TCCOR 3 -- Caution --  This means sustained winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater from a typhoon are possible in the next 48 hours.  At this point you should inventory your home emergency kit and replace any and all missing items as necessary.  Fill up your vehicles, generators, and extra gas cans with gasoline.  Secure outside objects -- move items indoors that can't be secured.  Prepare your household for long term power and water loss (laundry, outdoor cooking, clear refrigerator).  Tune in to your radio or TV.  It is worth noting here that the island of Guam powers down before being hit by a typhoon, so be sure to have a hand-crank radio on hand for outside information.

   

*  TCCOR 2 -- Caution -- This means sustained winds of 50 knots (58 mph) from a typhoon are possible in the next 24 hours.  Close and secure shutters, place rags and towels around the base of windows and doors.  Fill containers with water (bathtub, clean pails, trash cans, washing machine, etc.).  Remove furniture and carpets away from areas where water may come in.  Expecting mothers 38 weeks or in high risk pregnancies should report to the hospital.  Move your vehicles to a secure and protected area.  Pack your freezer with containers full of water to be used as ice or thawed for drinking.

*  TCCOR 1 -- Caution --  Sustained winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater from a typhoon are possible in the next 12 hours.  Go inside your home and stay there.  Only essential and emergency personnel are allowed outside.

*  TCCOR 1 -- Emergency -- Sustained winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater from a typhoon are observed to occur or are on Guam.  DO NOT GO OUTSIDE.  Wait for the storm to pass and for threat conditions to return to TCOR 4.  Be ready to help with recovery and cleanup.

Here is a quick check list of things you should have on hand before a typhoon strikes:

• SUPPLIES:  flashlights, lanterns, portable radio, first aid kit, batteries, fire extinguisher, candles/matches, duct tape, BBQ, tools to possibly turn off gas and water mains, games and cards.
• FOOD:  maintain a sufficient supply of canned or dehydrated food, powdered mil, canned beverages or juices, 3 gallons of water per person for consumption, extra water for toilets, etc. for at least 72 hours.
• SPECIAL:  A week's supply of medications, personal hygiene items, special food for infants, food for pets, and cash.  Keep emergency phone numbers handy and easy to get to.

For a more detailed listing, refer to the August 24, 2011 in the archive.

It is important to remember that while Typhoon Season occurs between the months of June and November, they can happen anytime during the year.  Will you be ready?

Guam in the Summer Time

Guam in the summer time means Guam in the rainy season.  And that means that the grass is turning more green and growing faster.  And that means getting out the John Deere and using the weed-eater for trimming and edging.  And that means a nicer-looking lawn!

Guam in the summer time means the humidity is higher, because, well, we're in the rainy season.

Guam in the summer time means you're more likely to need and use your umbrella, because, well, you know...

Guam in the summer time means the surf is not as rough as during the winter months, and that means a lot if you like to dive, and if you're like me, you don't want to battle the waves before you can get under the water.

Guam in the summer time means it may be a good to time to "hop" to another location for a a time.  Where?  Oh, places like, other Micronesian islands, the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, other points in Asia or Australia, not to mention, the USA.

Guam in the summer time means tourists from any of the above places, as well as other locations, come to visit Guam.  And that means more people.  And that means it's good for the local economy.

Guam in the summer time means observance of Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Liberation Day.

Guam in the summer time means kids are out of school, and that means in a few weeks parents will sing the praises of the start of a new school year.

Guam in the summer time...