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Guam Military, Local Communities Celebrate Memorial Day
Story Number: NNS130528-10
5/28/2013

By Shaina Marie Santos, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

PITI, Guam (NNS) -- Guam's military and local communities gathered for a Memorial Day ceremony at the Guam Veterans Cemetery to honor the Armed Forces men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice, May 27.

The event featured a traditional wreath-laying ceremony, gravesite tribute and a keynote speech from Capt. Mike Ward, U.S. Naval Base Guam commanding officer.

"More than 16,000 veterans can be found on Guam," Ward said. "Guam's dedication and loyalty are unmistakable and her people who join the military are some of the finest serving around the world. The American flag flies proud and true on this island and its service is greatly appreciated."

"It was a beautiful ceremony," said Guam Air National Guard Lt. Col. Timothy Puzan. "We're remembering our veterans who have gone before us and have made the ultimate sacrifice. It's an opportunity for us to come together as a single community. It lets us know that we're on the same side, we're one community united towards freedom."

Many families of fallen service members were also in attendance. Army veteran Anthony Lukeala and his wife Dorothy lost their son Joshua to an improvised explosive device during a 2010 Afghanistan deployment.

"Today's event really touches my heart and really brings back memories," Dorothy Lukeala said. "This is our way of grieving, we go out to support the troops. The (families) that are mourning, that just lost their loved one(s), we're there for them, we show our support and tell them they're not alone in this."

"Every day is a celebration for our fallen," Anthony Lukeala said. "Always remember. Never forgotten. That's the bottom line."

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/local/guam/ .