APAICS | Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies

Celebrating the Liberation of Guam

by Anita B. Hofschneider, 2010 APAICS Intern

For the past six weeks I have been interning at the Office of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo from Guam, where I have been able to both enjoy the culture of this Pacific island as well as get acquainted with the culture of Capitol Hill.  Last week, we hosted a series of events celebrating the 66th Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Mariana Islands.  Guam was the only U.S. territory occupied by enemy forces during World War II, and the Northern Mariana Islands, now a U.S. Commonwealth, was previously under Japanese rule.  A wreath laying ceremony, a Sunset Parade, and a huge reception were all held to honor the sacrifices of the people of Guam and the U.S. armed forces.

A guard walks by the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery,
where Congresswoman Bordallo, Governor Feliz Camacho of Guam, and
Congressman Gregorio Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands together
lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery
on the morning of Tuesday, July 13.

Chamorro dancers performed in the halls of Congressional office buildings on Thursday, July 15,
to entice people to attend that evening’s reception.



The reception attracted some twelve hundred attendees, who watched cultural performances
while enjoying pinneaple-rum drinks and indigenous island food.

Co-interns Helana Leon Guerrero, Nicole Cruz, and I had fun celebrating the culture of our home
in our nation’s capital, at what was said to be the Hill’s best party of the year.

Anita B. Hofschneider is a 2010 APAICS Summer Intern in the office of Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo. She is currently studying Social Studies at Harvard University.