A memorial Mass took place on Friday at the Sumai Cemetery at U.S. Naval Base Guam. Community members gathered to honor lives lost during World War II. Officials highlighted the importance of preserving these memories as the number of survivors dwindles.
The service, organized by Naval Base Guam and the Sånta Rita-Sumai Mayor’s Office, was part of the Liberation Day events happening across the island. Governor Lou Leon Guerrero attended the memorial and also visited Inalahan that morning. He shared that Sumai is significant as it was the first area bombed during the war.
“Sumai is closer to the heart of everyone because this is where the bombs fell first,” Leon Guerrero noted. “People fled to the hills, unsure of what was happening.” He explained that before the war, Sumai was a busy hub for commerce and trade, making it a prime target for Japanese forces. “We celebrate 81 years since liberation, but we must never forget our history,” he added.
Mayor Dale Christopher Perez Alvarez spoke about the personal pain of remembering the suffering endured by Sumai residents. “Our people faced immense challenges during the war. Many had to relocate to Santa Rita,” he said. The mayor reaffirmed his commitment to honoring the community’s past and the diminishing number of survivors.
“Unfortunately, not many survivors remain, and in the years to come, they will be gone. It’s vital to pass this memory to future generations,” he explained. Sumai was once considered the wealthiest area in Guam before the war, known for its bustling economy, including the Clippers Landing which launched Pan American Airways’ flying boat service in 1935.
Mayor Alvarez admitted that visiting the cemetery is emotionally taxing. “It takes a toll on me. I feel the vibes of the past,” he shared. According to a report by Naval Base Guam, Sumai was known as the “Pearl of the Island” before WWII, transforming from a fishing village to a commercial hub in the mid-1800s.
The memorial Mass is part of ongoing efforts to remember the displaced community. Earlier this year, around 200 people attended the 13th annual Back to Sumai Day event, which featured Mass, traditional food, and guided tours around significant sites on the base.
As time passes, the necessity of preserving these memories grows. Rita Nauta, managing director of Guampedia, stated that “by 2030, all World War II survivors will have passed.” Governor Leon Guerrero reflected on the importance of remembering the strength exhibited throughout the war years. “We celebrate 81 years of liberation, but we must always remember,” she emphasized, as Guam continues to honor its resilient history.
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lou leon guerrero, liberation day (guam), sånta rita-sumai, guam
