Recognizing War Survivor Remembrance Day

Floor Speech

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Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great honor to recognize War Survivor Remembrance Day--a day that commemorates the sacrifices of those before us and the strength of those still with us from Guam's Greatest Generation. The generation that survived the atrocities of the Japanese occupation during World War II.

From 1941 to 1944, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese soldiers occupied Guam and forced our ancestors to endure hardship and unspeakable violence that has left scars long after the war. Many were uprooted from their homes, suffered the loss of loved ones, and were coerced into manual labor without food or medical care to prepare our island against an invasion.

Our people were forced into camps--where resources were scarce and many lives ended in starvation or massacre, and where they were beaten for any signs of disloyalty, including the practice of our culture. And yet, in the face of this darkness, it was our people's quiet resistance and sense of community that kept some alive.

For us in Guam, this event not only honors the sacrifices of our ancestors but reminds us of the power of the CHamoru people. Today, we honor our Greatest Generation and thank them. Without their perseverance through three years of relentless tragedy, we would not be here.

I thank our Greatest Generation for holding on for the freedom of tomorrow. I thank them for persevering and rebuilding our community on the foundation of family and cultural virtues. Words will never fully capture the severity and intensity of your experience, but know our gratitude is immense.

As we celebrate our War Survivors from World War II, let us not dwell only on the horrors of war, but rather highlight the unwavering spirit and strength of the generation that carried our people through a truly difficult time. May this inspire future generations to do the same in the face of unspeakable hardship.

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