The Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport on Monday unveiled the banners for seven fallen soldiers from Micronesian islands, two days before the celebration of Guam’s Liberation Day.
“We thought it was significant to have this done by this timeline,” airport executive director Mary Torres said.
Gov. Felix Camacho, who had just flown in early that morning from his off-island trip, went straight to the ceremony.
“It is my hope that in the future, when the war is over and we no longer suffer loss, we will have a permanent monument somewhere in our community so that all can come and pay due respect,” the governor said.
The seven soldiers honored at the ceremony were:
• Navy Master-at-Arms Anamarie San Nicolas Camacho, who died in Bahrain while he was assigned to U.S. Naval Support Activity.
• Army National Guard Specialist Cwislyn K. Walter, a native of Chuuk who was raised on Guam. She died in Kuwait while deployed with the 29th Special Troops Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Hawaii National Guard.
• U.S. Army Sgt. Jasper Obakrairur, a Fort Drum-based soldier, who died in Nerkh, Afghanistan. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry of the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
• U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jose San Nicolas Crisostomo of Spanaway, Washington and formerly a resident of Inarajan, who died in Kabul, Afghanistan. A Vietnam veteran, 1st Sgt. Crisostomo retired in 1993 from the Army and was recalled to active duty in April 2008.
• U.S. Army Sgt. Youvert Loney of Palikir, Pohnpei, who died in Abad, Afghanistan. He was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2009 where he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
• U. S. Army Specialist Eric M. Finniginam of Yap who died at Forward Operating Base Blessing, Afghanistan. Specialist Finniginam was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He joined the Army in July 2008 and was on his first deployment.
• U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Akoni Sablan Lukeala of Yigo, who died in Afghanistan. Sergeant Lukeala was serving in the 101st Airborne Air Assault team. He was 23 years old.
Lukeala’s mother, Dorothy, said her son often conveyed his pride in serving in the military and that he was sacrificing his life for his family.
“I take it one day at a time and ask God to guide me. I tell God I need you now more than I need my next breath,” she said as she fought back tears.
