Happy Liberation Day!

On the island of Saipan, 4th of July/Independence Day is called Liberation Day. Liberation Day is celebrated to mark the permanent closure of the civilian interment camps on Saipan where the Chamorros and Carolinians were allowed to fully return to their land after WWII.  This just happened to take place on July 4, 1946.  (Word on the street is the US soldiers held them three extra days to let them out on the 4th, but I don't know if that is true.)  It has been 78 years since this took place.  (This was also the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Saipan which was June 15.)   

Perry and I attended the parade with Laura.  We were fortunate enough to snag some shade.  We were very excited for the military bands!

Here we are waiting for the parade to start (or maybe waiting the 10 minutes in between each float/entry).  Island parades TAKE FOREVER!

Perry is trying to see what is coming...

It's the full Marine Band this time.  (However, Samantha is on the other side)

So I stalked her down and got a picture as they were stopping. (She's the tuba on the far left)

After the parade, I had watermelon, because that's what one does on the 4th, right?  There was no formal show in Saipan this year.  (Money is super tight. I think the Hyatt used to do it, and they closed their doors a couple of days ago.)  But I didn't catch a hotel show from afar, and there were some really great ones in the neighborhood. I was able to just sit on the front porch and see fireworks!

This is sitting in my chair on the porch!

And as it is every night, American Memorial Park was brightly lit.

Side note: The Chamorros in Guam were not released until July 21.  Though government employees are off work and the US Navy shoots off fireworks on July 4, the big holiday is July 21.  That's the parade, more fireworks, and another day off work. :)