Guam Military Does Heavy Lifting to Fight Cancer

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Peter Lewis, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

TIYAN, Guam (NNS) -- More than 100 service members, dependents and friends participated in the 6th Annual Continental/United Plane Pull Challenge at the Continental Hangar in Tiyan, Guam April 9.

A total of 41 teams, including seven military teams, competed to see who could move a 145,000-pound Boeing 737 jet 12 feet in the least amount of time. The event, which was themed "Towing the Line to Save Lives," helped to raise more than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Brown, of Marine Forces Pacific (Forward) Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, said he felt participating in this event was a good way to get in touch with the community.

"Events like this present a fun atmosphere and a good opportunity to interact with the locals," Brown said. "I got to meet some great folks, absorb some of the Guam culture and help the fight against cancer. It was a great way to spend a Saturday."

Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Cameron Payne, of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, agreed with Brown and said he plans to participate in more charity events in the future.

"This was a great event for a great cause," Payne said. "The crowd was cheering us on and everyone was having a great time. I hope there are more opportunities like this to come."

According to Event Chairperson Alethea Flores, having military personnel participate in the event means a lot to the local community.

"We always enjoy having the military come out and join in our events," she said. "It's great that they are willing to support the local activities on their off time. I know they work hard at what they do, and they certainly worked hard out here today. I hope they enjoyed it and they come back next year."