“Having this opportunity to attend the memorial service, I too express my deep sympathy and sincere apology, as a husband, as a father with one daughter and as a human being to the people of Guam who became the victims of Japan’s aspirations,” Kimura said at the Manenggon Memorial Service ceremony held at the old concentration camp site in Yona.
Murayama issued the apology on Aug. 15, 1995, which marked the 50th anniversary of the official end of the World War II.
“Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war, only to ensnare the Japanese people in a fateful crisis, and, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations,” Murayama said in his 1995 speech.
Saturday’s inclement weather and an earthquake didn’t keep more than 100 people from attending this year’s ceremony at the valley area in Yona, where Chamorros were forced to march as the Americans began dropping bombs in preparation to liberate the island in the summer of 1944.
Sen. Tina Muna-Barnes, chairwoman of the memorial committee, delivered a speech in honor of those who died during the march.
One of the survivors, Susie Arceo of Ordot, recalled the loss of twin siblings, who died at infancy when a Japanese soldier forced her father to make her mother get out of a cart and bow to him when she was about to give birth.
“The officer was shouting at my father to get my mother down. My father said my mother was sick, but the officer said that didn’t matter. Half way down the (first) baby was born right there. My father had to take the t-shirt and wrap the baby,” Arceo recalled.
She also mentioned the trip down to Manenggon during a rainy day. Her grandmother at the time refused to leave where they were staying in Ordot, but reluctantly followed the family.
