White roses were placed on a granite bench to signify those who died in WWII. that was dedicated during the Pacific War Memorial installation at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Saturday Sept. 14, 2013.(Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2013

Letter of the Day: Forgotten again

Forgotten again

EDITOR: I took great interest in your Sunday Empire section story "SSU unveils Pacific War Memorial." It is right and fitting that such a memorial be established to honor those who were tortured and murdered by the occupying imperial forces of Japan during World War II.

Your reporter acknowledged that Chinese, Malaysians, Koreans, Filipinos and even one Japanese attended the dedication. He failed to include anyone from Guam. The American island was occupied from December 1941 to July 1943. The same injustices that were inflicted on all the other occupied people were also inflicted on the people of Guam. The difference is Guam flew the American flag.

I don't fault your reporter. Americans on the mainland are not taught about Guam beyond its military significance. It's a good time to finally move on and learn.

The National Park Service established the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in 1978 on Guam. Scholars (and war veterans) from throughout the world come to learn the stories of those subjected to the horrors of war in the Pacific. Sonoma State University could use a lesson in history — American history.

GREG CHAMPION

Sebastopol

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