Guam's residents feel U.S. patriotism but growing concern
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Aug 12, 2017
An academic says Guam is being used as a pawn in the confrontation between the North Korea and the United States.
Abella's statements are in the wake of North Korea's threat to fire missiles near the US territory of Guam.
USA stocks have been in retreat since President Donald Trump Tuesday issued a fiery warning to North Korea to halt its nuclear program.
Adjunct professor of Chamorro studies at Guam University Michael Lujan Bevacqua told Koroi Hawkins both North Korea and the U.S. are exploiting Guam's status as an unincorporated territory for their posturing. "They are here to protect the islands, just in case something happens".
'But I have to say, I'm not laughing now, ' he said. "It's a propaganda, that's how I feel", he said but added that the military offered an extra reassurance. Both are now living in Guam with their son while he serves in the military.
During the Vietnam War, the Air Force sent 155 B-52 bombers to Guam to hit targets in Southeast Asia.
Guamanians have served in all major USA wars since World War II and see military service as a source of pride.
"How we train is how we fight, and the more we interface with our allies, the better prepared we are to fight tonight", a 37th EBS B-1 pilot said. "And not a lot of Americans know that". The B-1s then performed a pass over the Pilsung Range before leaving South Korean airspace and returning to Guam.
The exercise began hours after Japan's defense minister said the Japanese military could shoot down North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles before they reach the US territory of Guam.
North Korea assured the ASEAN it will be a "responsible nuclear power" and will pose no threat to other countries - unless they join forces with the United States.
