Initiatives Overview
NOCVA has undertaken a variety of initiatives to serve Chamorro veterans. Any activity that NOCVA engages in is reviewed at the national office to ensure that it is consistent with fulfilling NOCVA’s mission in the following areas:
Advocacy
Serve as the voice of Chamorro veterans at national-level events, advocating on their behalf to defend their rights, protect their interests, and promote their achievements
Recognition
Honor the memory and service of Chamorro veterans through commemorative events and initiatives and maintain a website that features information of interest to Chamorro veterans
Outreach
Prepare informational presentation to Chamorro veterans to explain how the U.S. political process affects them; encourage active participation to leverage political power in order to influence legislation that affects them and the Chamorro people
Networking
Establish a network of members throughout the 50 states, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands — connected by regional coordinators and linked nationally — to help share information, effectively organize, and build coalitions with similar groups to build political power
Research & Analysis
Monitor services delivered by government agencies and organizations that serve veterans to ensure that they are meeting the unique needs of Chamorro veterans; monitor current legislation for its impact on Chamorro veterans and develop appropriate responses
Chamorro Veterans Commemoration Ceremony
On 24 March 2012, despite a steady rain, more than 50 people gathered in the Nation’s capital to participate in a historic event on behalf of the Chamorro people. For the first time, a commemoration ceremony was held to honor the 70 servicemen from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands who died during the Vietnam War.
This event, organized under the direction of the National Organization of Chamorro Veterans in America (NOCVA), in coordination with the National Park Service, hosted visiting Chamorro veterans to participate in a solemn and deeply moving event. The ceremony was initiated, planned, and conducted entirely by 15 Chamorro veterans working together on behalf of the Chamorro people from Guam and the CNMI.
Because of the great distance to Washington, D.C., family and friends in the islands, as well as throughout the country, often cannot travel to see the names of their loved ones on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. For this reason, NOCVA (a newly established national advocacy organization for Chamorro veterans) chose to conduct this ceremony as its first initiative.
In spite of their small population, the young men from Guam and the CNMI had the highest casualty rates during the Vietnam War, compared to all the other states and territories. These fallen heroes made it possible for us to enjoy the freedom of living in the greatest country in the world – the United States of America. As US citizens proud of their Chamorro ancestry and heritage, Chamorro veterans have no greater honor than to ensure that the sacrifices of their Chamorro brothers will never be forgotten.
The hour-long ceremony consisted of the following: opening remarks by Cel Aguigui; the Pledge of Allegiance led by Larry Cruz; the playing of the Guam Hymn; a memorial prayer read by Terri Guevara Smith; a recitation of the 70 names of the fallen by Joe Torres, Joseph Damian, Mariano Cruz, Joaquin Nauta, Jose Meno, Tom Muna, Gregorio Concepcion, and Frank Blas; a wreath laying by Frank Blas, Leonard Ranches, Jose Meno, Pedro Iriarte, and Roque Acfalle; and a final sounding of Taps by Jaime “Jim” Padre.
Various news media in Guam and the CNMI wrote articles about the event, which is of great interest to the Chamorro people and the families and friends of the fallen soldiers.
NOCVA created a video (DVD) of the ceremony, which allows us to share the experience with the largest number of people possible, especially those who were not able to attend, senior Chamorros, families of the fallen, and their children. Copies of the DVD were given to our regional coordinators as well as selected representatives throughout the 50 states, Guam, and the CNMI, so they can show it at their gatherings. The DVD is available for purchase to everyone who is interested By reaching out to as many people as possible, we can ensure that the sacrifices made by our Chamorro brothers are finally recognized and respected.
Many helped to make this special event possible, especially the visiting Chamorro veterans from North Carolina and Florida, the local Washington metro-area Chamorro community under the direction of the Guam Society of America, and the National Park Service.
"Chelu, We Remember You" Project
The “Chelu, We Remember You” Project is a NOCVA initiative that grew out of the historic Chamorro Veterans Commemoration Ceremony that was held in the Nation’s capital on 24 March 2012. The ceremony honored the 70 fallen heroes from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands who died during the Vietnam War with a Recitation of Names and a Wreath-Laying at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. On that day, NOCVA National Coordinators were presented with an extraordinary gift.
National Park Service Ranger Donald S. Adam had made rubbings of the names of all 70 casualties from Guam that are etched on the Wall. He then presented the original rubbings to NOCVA coordinators, to be given “to the families.”
These rubbings are traditionally made when a visitor to the Wall finds the name of a loved one and wants to remember the experience with a keepsake. Visitors are allowed to place a sheet of paper over the name and rub it with pencil; the rubbing that is created is the exact replica of the name as it appears on the Wall. For many, this is treasured item that keeps the memory of their loved one alive.
For family and friends in the islands who cannot easily travel to Washington, DC, obtaining such a memento in person is often difficult or impossible. Therefore, as part of its mission to recognize and honor the service of Chamorro veterans, NOCVA has started to search for the families of our fallen brothers — our chelus. This effort is known as the “Chelu, We Remember You” Project.
NOCVA is dedicated to locating the family of each of the 70 soldiers from Guam* whose name appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Once a family member is identified, NOCVA will present them with the following:
- The original rubbing of the name as it appears on the Wall
- A complimentary DVD of the Chamorro Veterans Commemoration Ceremony held in Washington, DC, on 24 March 2012
- A letter from NOCVA explaining the “Chelu, We Remember You” Project
To assist in this project — either by providing contact information for any of the 70 names or to participate in presenting materials once the family is located — please contact us.
*NOCVA recognizes that the list of 70 does not include Chamorros who entered military service outside of Guam; as we receive additional information, they will also be honored in this initiative.
FALLEN HEROES FROM GUAM AND CNMI*
VIETNAM WAR
AGUON, JOSE QUINATA, PSG, ARMY ASANOMA, FRANCISCO M, SGT, ARMY BENAVENTE, DAVID GUERRERO, SSGT, MARINE CORPS BIAGINI, MARK FREDERICK, SGT, ARMY BLAS, ANTHONY MARTIN M, SP5, ARMY BLAZ, JAMES LUJAN, LCPL, MARINE CORPS BORJA, JUAN SANTOS, SSG, ARMY CABRERA, JOAQUIN PALACIOS, SSG, ARMY CAMACHO, DAVID BITANGA, SSG, ARMY CARTER, DONALD SUMINGUIT, PFC, ARMY CASTRO, JUAN PASCUAL R, SSG, ARMY CEPEDA, JUAN DUENAS, SGT, ARMY CRUZ, EDWARD CRUZ, PO2, NAVY CRUZ, ENRIQUE SALAS, SSG, ARMY CRUZ, JOSEPH AGUIGUI, PFC, MARINE CORPS CRUZ, JOSEPH WILLIAM, SP4, ARMY CRUZ, PEDRO AFLAGUE, SSG, ARMY CUASITO, RONALD PEREZ, PFC, MARINE CORPS DAMIAN, ALLAN JAMES, LCPL, MARINE CORPS DELA-CRUZ, FREDERICO V, CPL, ARMY DELEON, HERMAN BORJA, PFC, ARMY DIAZ, EDWARD REYES, SP5, ARMY DOYLE, ALBERT BARCINAS, SGT, ARMY DUENAS, JOSE BAMBA, SSG, ARMY EAY, RUDY EDEJER, CPL, ARMY ESCANO, JUANITO MAIQUEZ, SGT, ARMY ESPINOSA, VICENTE T, SGT, MARINE CORPS ESTEVES, FERNANDO BARCINAS, SGT, ARMY EUSTAQUIO, JOSEPH MARTIN, SGT, ARMY FINNEY, HAROLD JAMES JR, SP4, ARMY FLORES, BENNY SAN NICOLAS, SGT, ARMY FLORES, DAVID CRUZ, SP4, ARMY FUNES, DAVID JOHN, SGT, ARMY GORTON, DAVID ATOIGUE, SP4, ARMY GUERRERO, PEDRO ROSARIO, SSG, ARMY GUERRERO, VICENT FEJA, CPL, ARMY HERRERA, JOSE BABAUTA, PFC, ARMY MARIANO, JESUS ROSA, SP4, ARMY MENDIOLA, ROBERT LG, SP4, ARMY MENO, JESUS QUINENE, PFC, ARMY MESA, TOMAS REYES, SP4, ARMY MOREHAM, VICENT PINAULA, CPL, ARMY NEDEDOG, EMILIO NINAISEN, SGT, ARMY PANGELINAN, GREGORIO L, CPL, ARMY PANGELINAN, PEDRO CABRERA, SSG, ARMY PEREDA, HENRY PANGELINAN, SGT, ARMY PEREZ, JOHN ANTHONY, SP4, ARMY PEREZ, VICENTE DUENAS, SFC, ARMY QUENGA, JOHNNY CRUZ, PSG, ARMY QUIDACHAY, JESUS AQUININGOC, SP4, ARMY REYES, TOMAS GARCIA, SSG, ARMY RIPPEL, EUGENE RAYMOND, SP4, ARMY RIVERA, THOMAS SALAS, SP4, ARMY RODRIGUEZ, LUCAS HERRERA, PFC, ARMY SABLAN, ANTONIO QUICHOCHO, SFC, ARMY SABLAN, IGNACIO ESPINOSA, LCPL, MARINE CORPS SABLAN, JOHN TENORIO, PFC, ARMY SABLAN, THOMAS QUICHOCHO, SSG, ARMY SANCHEZ, GEORGE SANTIAGO, CPL, ARMY SAN NICOLAS, RUFO SANTOS, LCPL, MARINE CORPS SAN NICOLAS, VICTOR P, SP4, ARMY SANTOS, ENRIQUE ROSARIO, SGT, ARMY SANTOS, ERNEST PABLO, PFC, ARMY SANTOS, JAMES EDWARD ANDER, SP4, ARMY SANTOS, RAFAEL SALAS, SSG, ARMY TAITAGUE, JOHNNY SALAS, SP4, ARMY TORRE, FRANCIS SAN NICOLAS, SGT, MARINE CORPS TORRES, PRISHARDO JOSE T, SP4, ARMY VIOLETT, JAMES EDWARD, CPL, MARINE CORPS YOKOI, RALPHAEL SGAMBELLURI, PFC, MARINE CORPS | UMATAC INARAJAN DEDEDO MANGILAO YONA DEDEDO AGANA MERIZO TAMUNING DEDEDO MONGMONG DEDEDO INARAJAN SANTA RITA MERIZO AGANA HEIGHTS AGANA TAMUNING AGANA AGANA AGANA PITI MERIZO TOTO TAMUNING AGANA MERIZO MERIZO YONA ASAN MERIZO AGANA BARRIGADA TALOFOFO BARRIGADA SINAJANA AGAT MANGILAO AGANA INARAJAN AGAT SINAJANA AGAT MONGMONG AGANA AGANA DEDEDO MONGMONG AGAT UMATAC AGANA DEDEDO AGAT AGAT YIGO SANTA RITA AGANA YIGO UMATAC SINAJANA INARAJAN SINAJANA TALOFOFO DEDEDO AGANA TALOFOFO MANGILAO AGANA YONA MONGMONG |
*At the time of the Vietnam War, the military recruiting station was located in Guam; therefore, those who enlisted were recorded as having Guam as their home-state-of-record, regardless of whether they were originally from the surrounding islands of Saipan, Rota, or Tinian, now referred to as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.