Sister Village Sister Squadron Program

Started in 1974, the Sister Village program pairs military units with local villages to foster and develop a program of mutual sharing and understanding between the people of Guam and military personnel and their families.

The program is intended to reinforce core values and team-building skills while developing community connections and strengthening military and civilian relationships. Each squadron assigned to the 36th Wing is partnered with a village on Guam and has the opportunity to contribute to the community, developing relationships between themselves and the local community.

Video by Senior Airman Aubree Owens
Andersen AFB Sister Village Sister Squadron program fosters partnerships
36th Wing Public Affairs
April 2, 2021 | 2:40
Jesse Alig, Mayors’ Council of Guam president and Piti mayor, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse, 36th Force Support Squadron commander, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brittany Wallace, 36th Healthcare Operations Squadron pharmacy technician and Sister Village Sister Squadron program representative, share information about the SVSS program at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 2, 2021. The SVSS program is an avenue for squadron members and their families to volunteer and immerse in Guam’s culture through collaborative activities with local residents to strengthen their friendship and partnership. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Aubree Owens)
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Liberation Day

WWII Monuments and Sites Map

Guam’s biggest celebration

After World War II was over community leader Agueda Iglesias Johnston convinced US military leaders on Guam to support a celebration to commemorate the Liberation of the island from the Japanese. This celebration continues to this day as one of Guam’s holidays – Liberation Day, which is celebrated on July 21st.

While there were Liberation Day commemorations in the late 1940s and then Liberation Day celebrations in the early 1950s, the first Liberation Day queen contest wasn’t held until 1948. Beatrice Blas Calvo Perez was the first Liberation Day Queen of Guam. The winner was declared based on ticket sales, just as it is today.

Follows the pre-war tradition of annual fairs

Before the outbreak of World War II on Guam, some of the most anticipated events were the annual fairs held at the historic Plaza de España in Hagåtña and later at the Bradley Park in Anigua. The Guam Island Fair was an opportunity to show off an array of talent, competition, display prized products and socialize. There were always queens that graced the fair grounds with all their beauty, pride and splendor.

Today, the committee that plans Liberation Day is still called the Guam Island Fair committee.

Liberation Day festivities include a queen contest, a summer carnival and a mile long parade on Marine Corps Drive in Hagåtña. Thousands participate by making floats or marching in the parade along with the US military. More recently various ethnic groups, including the Japanese, take part in the parade as well, showing their love for Guam.

Solemn commemorations at massacre sites in Merizo, Agat, Yona and Yigo as well as the Asan Overlook and other World War II memorials are also held at this time.

Multi-day extravaganza

Guam’s celebration of Liberation is not confined to one just day. Since its beginning, the events have always been a multi-day extravaganza. In past Liberation celebrations, activities have included sports events (including boxing and wrestling), agricultural fairs, bicycle races, greased pig catching competitions, a battle of the bands in 1971, and even a circus.

Traditionally though, the events include religious and memorial services, the Liberation queen contest, a carnival, and of course, the parade. The parade route is from Adelup to the Paseo de Susana.

The route has been changed in the past, however. In 1976 it started at Adelup and ended at Camp Asan. In 1983 it started at Adelup and ended at the Hagåtña pool, rather than Paseo.

The carnival’s location has changed over the years as well. While it is usually at Paseo it has been held at the former Yigo Amusement Park, the Harmon Cliff line, and Tiyan.

Village floats are best loved in the parade

The parade floats are both commercial and civic. The village floats are the best loved, as volunteers from many of the villages get together to create floats using natural materials to represent the theme for the year. Oftentimes the floats include hanging fresh fruits and betelnut that is thrown to the parade watchers, or live performances that go on for the whole parade.

Some dedicated parade watchers line up hours before the sign-up sheet for parade spots becomes available. Parade spots are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Families and businesses usually set up their tents the night before and camp out before the parade happens on Liberation Day, usually starting at 10 am.

During the parade, the parade route is shut down, the grand marshal leads the bands, marching units, and floats. Government officials make speeches, there are musical performances, and spectators watch, barbecue, and celebrate.

And if people don’t want to brave the extremely hot and sometimes rainy weather, they can also watch from the comfort of their homes. The parade has been broadcasted live by PBS GUAM since 1995.

Sister Squadron Villages

Mayors of Guam

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Sister Squadron - 36th Maintenance Squadron - Maj Tygina Bibbs

Sister Squadron Commander - 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron - Lt. Col. Douglas Wiggers Jr.

Sister Squadron Commander - 736th Security Forces Squadron - Maj. Richard Cheng

Sister Squadron Commander - 36th Security Forces Squadron - Major Thomas Kellams II

Sister Squadron Commander - 36th Force Support Squadron - Lt. Col. Lori Hodge

Sister Squadron Commander - 36th Contracting Squadron - Maj. Charles Berry II

Sister Squadron Commander - 554th Red Horse Squadron - Lt. Col. Matthew Olson

Sister Squadron Commander - 644th Combat Communications Squadron - Lt. Col. Siyeon Lee

Sister Squadron Commander - 36th Munitions Squadron - Maj. Joshua Allen

Sister Squadron Commander - 36th Civil Engineer Squadron - Lt. Col. Todd Inouye

Village Monthly Festivals