Sailors, Guam Celebrate 75th Liberation Day

190721-N-AY639-0007 AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Patrick Trevino high-fives children during the annual Guam Liberation Day Parade, July 21. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Lt.j.g. Meagan Morrison)

AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Chief Hospital Corpsman Cody Werven, assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen, a native of Cavalier, North Dakota, hands out candy to children during the annual Liberation Day parade. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Capt. Timothy Poe, Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen, and Master Chief Machinist's Mate (Nuclear) Jason Hays, assigned to CSS-15, greet children during the annual Liberation Day parade. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Sailors assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen march in formation during the annual Liberation Day parade. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

190721-N-AY639-0012 AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Sailors from Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen march during the annual Guam Liberation Day Parade, July 21. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

190721-N-AY639-0011 AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Chief Hospital Corpsman Cody Werven, a native of Cavalier, North Dakota, hands out candy to children during the annual Guam Liberation Day Parade, July 21. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

190721-N-AY639-0010 AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Electronics Technician (Navigation) 1st Class Alex Hepburn, a native of West Palm Beach, Fla., hands out candy to parade attendees during the annual Guam Liberation Day Parade, July 21. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

190721-N-AY639-0009 AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Cmdr. David Cox, deputy commander of Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen, waves to parade attendees from the Inarajan village float during the annual Guam Liberation Day Parade, July 21. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

190721-N-AY639-0008 AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) Capt. Timothy Poe, Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen salutes during the annual Guam Liberation Day Parade, July 21. The celebration commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by U.S. forces during World War II. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

AGANA, Guam (July 21, 2019) – More than 50 Sailors from Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen joined the local community and other branches of service to celebrate Guam’s 75th Liberation Day with a parade, July 21.

CSS-15 Sailors marched alongside the command’s submarine float while handing out candy to children watching the parade.

“This day has been an excellent opportunity for the military and civilian communities to come together in celebration and remembrance,” said Capt. Timothy Poe, Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen. “CSS-15 is grateful to the people of Guam, and our sister village of Inarajan, for welcoming us into their family.”

The island of Guam, along with the rest of the Marianas Islands, were liberated by the Third Marine Division (3rd MarDiv) and U.S. Army's 77th Infantry Division on July 21, 1944.

The 75th commemoration of the Marines landing on Guam included food, music, dancing, special observances and a four-hour parade down Marine Corps Drive featuring more than 90 floats and marching units.

The island’s military commands showed their commitment to the Liberation Day parade theme of “A legacy of peace and friendship” and showed up in force to participate in the day’s festivities.

“The Sailors always enjoy participating in events like this,” said Poe. “It allows them to create lasting relationships with the civilian community.”

During the parade, multiple CSS-15 Sailors supported their sister village of Inarajan by riding in the village float. Cmdr. David Cox, the deputy commander for CSS-15, joined the mayor of Inarajan in the float as a representation of commitment and friendship between the village and submarine squadron.

“Today is just another example of the support and friendship that we receive from the Sailors,” said Doris Lujan, the mayor of Inarajan. “I’m continually grateful for the support and assistance they provide to our island and ultimately the village of Inarajan.”

Following the parade, Sailors from CSS-15 joined other organizations and commands from around the island in hosting a cook out along the parade route.

CSS-15 is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam in Santa Rita, Guam, and includes four Los Angeles-class attack submarines.

The squadron staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to these commands. Also based out of Naval Base Guam are submarine tenders USS Frank Cable and USS Emory S. Land.

The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed submarine force and are capable of meeting global operational requirements.