I, the lady that feeds Mr. Puggle, have a special place in my heart for the island of Guam and the Chamoru people. There is not enough room to list all the wonderful things about Guahan in this post.
I was honored to meet courageous people that survived the Japanese invasion and occupation. Imagine a young mother kneeling to tie a bonnet on her four year old daughter. A special bonnet she hand made with padding in the ears to help dull the noise from exploding bombs. Imagine kissing your child and handing her over to your mother in law and then hiding in the jungle knowing if you are caught you would be brutally raped and killed. No food. No water. No light. No shelter. Hiding in the dark jungle with the snakes, bugs, spiders, bats etc. Scaling a cliff as bombs hit all around you only to reach the top and run between dead and semi-dead moaning bodies grabbing at your ankles. Imagine the US Soldiers arriving and sacrificing their blood, limbs, and lives to liberate you.
I am thankful for the US Soldiers who, only 65 years ago, gave their lives to save that little girl. If they didn't, she would have never grown up to give birth to my husband. The man who picked out Mr. Puggle. Si Yu'us ma'ase! Biba Guahan!
See the parade
Watch a short video snapshot of modern day Guam
Read a little review about the celebration
Listen to the ancient Chamoru or Chamorro language
Visit a blog about a girl's everyday life on Guam
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