Marines Welcomed (sort of) Warily

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Marines welcomed warily
Boost to economy may strain island infrastructure
By Tammy Anderson
Pacific Daily News
tanderson@guampdn.com

News that as many as 7,000 Marines will be relocated from Japan to Guam in the next few years has island leaders and retailers smiling and some local residents concerned.

Gov. Felix Camacho said he is happy to see the Marine division that helped liberate the island 50 years ago return to Guam. Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo and other U.S. officials announced that the headquarters of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force will be moved to Guam.

"We welcome the Marines back home, and their return not only benefits the people of Guam but also our great nation," Camacho said. "My administration has been working tirelessly alongside the congresswoman and the Guam Chamber of Commerce to ensure that the return of the Marines becomes reality." Camacho added that this move "means more than millions in economic activity. It also increases Guam's global strategic value and returns an important part of our history to our shores."

The move is intended to strengthen military cooperation, reduce the number of U.S. Marines on Okinawa and give Tokyo greater responsibility for security in the Pacific.

The decisions were part of an American effort to streamline the U.S. military overseas and create a leaner, more flexible fighting force.

Okinawans have long complained of crime, crowding and noise associated with the American bases. There are 14,460 Marines in Japan, the largest contingent based overseas, and nearly all are in Okinawa.

Barrigada resident Juan M. Unpingco was happy to hear about the announcement made Saturday.

"We give thanks that they are coming to our island not as in wartime like World War II, but in peacetime," the 82-year-old said.

While he was happy about the boost the move may bring to Guam's economy, he also was wary about the possible strain that 7,000 people coming to Guam would put on the infrastructure.
Guam Power Authority spokesman Art Perez said he hopes to meet with military planners soon about the changes in infrastructure the island will need to support such a large movement of people to Guam.

"At this point, we would like to work with the military planners on what their move will be in mission support," he said.

"The military is an important customer for both utilities," Perez said of GPA and the Guam Waterworks Authority.

He added that both utilities already are making improvements.

"We are in the right momentum forward to meet the lion's share of this movement to put more troops on Guam," he said.

Heidi Meyer, owner of the bar Tower of London on Ypao Road, said she thinks the move will mean great things for Guam's economy and her business.

"It is going to improve the business and improve the whole economy of the island," Meyer said.

She has operated the bar since 1991 and said her business could see a direct effect when the military realigns itself on Guam.

"I don't think the impact will be immediate," she added, but she feels the impact will be large with the extra money being pumped into Guam's economy.

Byron Garrido, 43, of Yigo said he is not excited to see the shift of Marines to Guam.

"At first, I thought it would be good, but then think back to the past," he said describing how he has seen fights break out between local residents and military personnel.

Garrido said he hopes military officials will brief all troops who move to Guam about the culture on Guam and how to respect that culture.

"Respect, learn where you are at," he said. "You are not in the states, this is Guam."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Originally published October 31, 2005