62 years ago today Guam was liberated from the Japanese and the people of Guam celebrated again this morning with a four hour long parade. I watched most of it from the grandstand but also walked most of the route with my hosts. This is a parade unlike any I've seen. Families stake out territory along the route days in advance. They pitch tents and set up a kitchen and dining room. On parade day they invite passersby into their encampment to share their food and hospitality. The parade is only an excuse to get together with family and friends.

The parade itself inches by - it's easy to outwalk the parade. Miles of car dealer trucks, civic group floats and waving politicians. People walk all over the place - including between the floats and alongside. It's hard to tell where the parade ends and the spectators start. If someone sees a friend in the parade they walk up to the float and visit - the parade stops until they finish. This is a laid back place.

The military is still here and their presence is growing. I saw a stealth bomber swoop over the bay yesterday. While a huge air force base occupies the north tip of this 37-mile long island a naval base occupies the southern tip. The military isn't very noticable though because the bases are secluded. The most noticable outsiders are the 1 million Japanese tourists that visit here every year.