BITIRANU GI GERAN VIETNAM | In their own Words, In their own Language - Vietnam War Veterans from Guam

March 29, 2024

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day in Guam

A PROCLAMATION OF THE GOVERNOR PROCLAIMING MARCH 29, 2024, IN RECOGNITION OF VIETNAM VETERANS DAY AND MARCH 2024 AS VIETNAM VETERANS MONTH.

Listen to these Vietnam Songs

MENSAHI GINEN AS ROBERT UNDERWOOD

Hafa Adai Mane’lu-hu,

På’go na mes gi diha 29 di Matso, ma silelebra yan ma’o’onra i bitiranon gi geran Vietnam. Gi nationåt na bånda, ma fa’nana’an “National Vietnam War Veterans Day.” Guaha siha kånta ni’ madådandan guihi na tiempo ni’ misustansia-ña para hita på’go na hå’ani giya Guahan. Estaguiya este siha na kånta:

ADIOS KERIDA - JOHNNY SABLAN

MADRAFT SI JOSE – JOHNNY SABLAN

SINDÅLU – GUS QUICHOCHO

ADIOS CHE’LU, HÅFA ADAI VIETNAM – MIKE LAGUANA

ISLAND SNOWMAN – COUNTRY REYES

Dångkolo ayudu-ña si Rico Diaz yan si Dr. Michael Clement guini na cho’cho’. Mama’tinas si Rico yan si tatå-ea as Ricardo “recording” ginen i rediu yan esta på’go ma sustietiene ha’. Animosu yan bråbu este na hoben as Rico. Ha estutudia todu kantan CHamoru si Dr. Clement.

Guaha na’chalek, guaha na’triste, meggai siha na siniente pumapacha i korason-ta. Guaha lokkue’ seriosu humuyong ginen i gera annai humålom i binenu gi isla. Put este i kanta-ña si Country Reyes.

Todo siha i kantot munå’i hit kinemprende put ayu na tiempo yan ha na’fanhasso hit nu i minappot yan pinadesen-ñiha i bitirånu ginen i geran Vietnam.

Si Yu’os ma’ase’ Johnny Sablan, Gus Quichocho yan i difunto as Mike Laguana.

In honor of National Vietnam Veteran’s Day on March 29, Bitirånu.org is placing five Vietnam Era songs on the website in order to bring greater understanding of experiences of the men from Guahan during that conflict. Four songs are in CHamoru and one is in English. The songs will bring a few tears, perhaps some chuckles and a greater appreciation of the thousands of Guahan veterans who were in that conflict. Johnny Sablan leads the way with two songs. Gus Quichocho tells us about a soldier who dies and watches his family from the other side. Mike Laguana does an honor roll of those who died in a way that only he can provide. Country Reyes gives us a poignant account of some of the consequences of the conflict in terms of Guam society and drug addiction.

We are in awe of these men who served and thank them again for their sacrifices. Thank them when you see them.

Robert A. Underwood

MENSAHI GINEN AS NICK FRANCISCO,

Vietnam Veterans of America # 668 CHAPTER PRESIDENT

As we think about the experiences and the sacrifices of Guam’s young men in the Vietnam War, we remember most those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The phrase, “all gave some and some gave all” means a great deal to every soldier, marine, airman and sailor who served in that conflict. VVA continues to be active in remembering the conflict, bringing veterans and their families together and advocating for their issues.

March 29 is National Vietnam Veterans Day. Because it falls on Good Friday, we held a gathering on March 24 and we would hold another event in April. We are grateful for the community’s support of this day. We are also grateful for the website bitiranu.org which continues to bring attention to the war experiences that many of us endured.

The songs from that era are placed on this website to honor of the commemoration on March 29. Thank you Johnny Sablan, Gus Quichocho, Mike Laguana and Country Reyes for your songs that bring back strong memories. There will be painful and joyful feelings which come from these songs. But they are part of our history as Vietnam Veterans.

Puedi ha’ Ha bendisi hit todos i Saina-ta ni muna’pusipble i lina’la’-ta guini gi tano’-ta.

Si Yu’os ma’ase’!

Nick Francisco

About this Video...

At this time of the year, we renew our bonds with family and friends. We also take the time to remember those who are far away from home in uniform, in school or just living somewhere else. In 1969, Johnny Sablan and Governor Carlos Camacho went to visit i "sendalon Guam" in Vietnam. The commemorative song was entitled A Christmas Odyssey. We remember this song from a Christmas 53 years ago. Biba Bitiranu!

In Their Own Words, In Their Own Language.

HINASSO, MINAGAHET, EKSPERENSIHA, DIKNIDAT

About BITIRANU GI GERAN VIETNAM

“Biba Bitiranu, Biba Guam!”

Watch an introductory video
by Dr. Robert Underwood

“This would not be forgotten and
will serve us for many future generations.”

- Dr. Robert Underwood

Introduction in CHamoru

Introduction in English

Stories told in their own words,
In their own language.

At any point in that Vietnam conflict, there were over 300 men from Guam; serving, providing evidence of service, commitment, and courage; reflecting the best that we have to offer from Guam.

That experience is memorialized in this special Bitiranu Gi Geran Vietnam Project.

Village: Barrigada

Branch of Service: Marines

Watch Interview

Agustin, Enrique

Village: Sånta Rita-Sumai

Branch of Service: Army

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Village: Tamuning

Branch of Service: Army

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Benavente, Juan

Village: Dededo

Branch of Service: Army

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Village: Dededo

Branch of Service: Army

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Chargualaf, Johnny

Village: Piti

Branch of Service: Army

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Damian, Alejandro

Village: Sånta Rita-Sumai

Branch of Service: Army

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Duenas, Francisco “Frank”

Village: Talo'fo'fo

Branch of Service: Army

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Francisco, Nicolas

Village: Hagåtña

Branch of Service: Army

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Guerrero, Francisco “Frank”

Village: Yigo

Branch of Service: Army

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Village:

Branch of Service: Army

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Lizama, Alejandro

Village: Barrigada

Branch of Service: Army

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Lizama, Francisco Frank

Village: Barrigada

Branch of Service: Army

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Village: Mangilao

Branch of Service: Army

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Village: Barrigada

Branch of Service: Army

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Manglona, Martin

Village: Talo'fo'fo

Branch of Service: Army

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Mendiola, Daniel “Danny”

Village: Sinajaña

Branch of Service: Army

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Mendiola, Francisco

Village: Barrigada

Branch of Service: Army

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Miranda, Daniel

Village: Barrigada

Branch of Service: Army

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Quidachay, Juan

Village: Hågat

Branch of Service: Army

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Village:

Branch of Service: Army

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Village: Agaña Heights

Branch of Service: Navy

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Taitague, David

Village: Inalåhan

Branch of Service: Army

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Village: Hågat

Branch of Service: Army

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Toves Flores, John

Village: Barrigada

Branch of Service: Army

Watch Interview

Special thanks to...

Additional Important Interviews on Guahan and the Vietnam War

Sablan, Emily

Watch the full Interview

Sablan, Johnny

Watch the full Interview

"MEMORIAS PARA I LALAHI-TA PARK" IN HUMATAK HONORING THOSE WHO DIED IN THE VIETNAM CONFLICT

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