By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Peter Lewis, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas Public Affairs
ASAN, Guam (NNS) -- Joint Region Marianas honored local military veterans' contributions to the nation and Guam's local community with a luncheon at Top o' the Mar, in Asan, Guam, July 19.
Rear Adm. Paul J. Bushong, Commander, Joint Region Marianas, who hosted the luncheon, expressed gratitude for all veterans' service.
"Thank you for your service in the past and your current service," Bushong said. "Thank you for everything you do to make this island such a great place and to support the [local] military."
The event also celebrated the 67th anniversary of Guam's Liberation Day. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces liberated the people of Guam from their Japanese captors after three years of occupation during World War II July 21, 1944.
Dan Bradley, a Navy veteran who was deployed to Guam, Saipan and Japan during the final months of World War II, said he was very grateful to be honored in such a way.
"I'm here in place of those guys who didn't come home," Bradley said. "Being invited to come out with my fellow veterans, it makes me feel very humble."
Col. Robert Loynd, Marine Forces Pacific (Forward) Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands officer in charge, said that he appreciated the opportunity to mingle with and learn from the veterans, who he feels are true American heroes.
"It was a great honor to be perfectly honest," Loynd said. "Any time you can get together with some great veterans from all services, it is a great day, indeed. We had some great chow together. I heard some great stories and, every time I meet with [the veterans], I learn something new."
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