By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

REPRESENTATIVES of the business sector, a veterans organization, and the Mayors Council of Guam yesterday waved at motorists along Marine Corps Drive in Hagatna to drum up support for the Pentagon’s military expansion plan on Guam.
Over 25 rallyists, led by the Veterans Association and representatives from the business sector, stood at the Chief Kapua Park during the afternoon rush hour to also welcome the visit of a congressional delegation led by Texas Rep. Solomon Ortiz.
“We are here to show Guam’s support for military growth,” Cliff Guzman, from the business sector, said. “This is a good opportunity for us to show our support for the buildup of troops on Guam. We want to be a part of the groups that work side by side with the U.S. government on this effort.”
About 8,000 Marines are scheduled to be relocated from Okinawa to Guam starting in 2012 as part of the U.S. government’s force realignment plan.
“This is good for our economy. The military buildup will generate more jobs. We want to extend our support to Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo’s efforts to make this happen,” Guzman said.
The Marines’ relocation, however, is being opposed by Chamorro activists led by I Nasion Chamoru.