Hasso i Metgot-ta : Remember Our Strength

On December 8, 1941, the Japanese began their attack on Guam, marking the beginning of the war-time occupation of the island.  The people of Guam were ruled by the Japanese military until the United States returned to Guam on July 21, 1944.

For the over 950 days of Japanese occupation, the Chamorros who lived on Guam experienced great uncertainty, tragedy and suffering.  But the Japanese occupation, and the years that followed, are also filled with remarkable stories of determination, love and strength.

On July 17, members of the groups We Are Guahan and Halom Tano will walk 19 miles from the Tayuyute’ Ham Memorial in Malesso to the Manenggon Memorial Monument in Yona.  The walk, entitled “Hasso i Metgot-ta” or Remember Our Strength, is to remember the Chamorros who died during the war and to celebrate the strength of those who survived the Japanese occupation.  The walk is not meant to be a re-enactment or commemoration of any particular march from any particular village, but is meant to be a small gesture to honor and recognize the strength of our grandparents, uncles, aunties and friends who lived and died during World War II.

Each person walking will be walking on behalf of a family member or friend.