WEBVTT 00:03.498 --> 00:07.665 ^- [Amy] More than 1.5 million people visited Guam in 2016. 00:08.254 --> 00:11.377 which was the highest number of tourists on record. 00:11.377 --> 00:14.220 Many US service members visit Guam every year, 00:14.220 --> 00:16.823 whether it's for a family vacation, a port stop, 00:16.823 --> 00:18.740 or here on an exercise. 00:18.755 --> 00:21.249 It's no wonder because there's so much to explore 00:21.249 --> 00:22.145 on the island. 00:22.145 --> 00:25.249 Like amazing beaches and historical monuments. 00:25.249 --> 00:27.867 Plus there's great shopping and places to eat. 00:27.867 --> 00:29.548 ^If you're traveling to Guam, 00:29.548 --> 00:31.047 ^I would recommend getting out 00:31.047 --> 00:34.130 ^and enjoying, not just their weather, 00:34.836 --> 00:36.220 but enjoying their culture 00:36.220 --> 00:37.172 and getting some of their food, 00:37.172 --> 00:40.305 but also learning more about their history. 00:40.305 --> 00:42.098 - Guam's capitol city of Hagatna is 00:42.098 --> 00:45.010 home to serval memorials and historical buildings 00:45.010 --> 00:47.101 that have been restored after the war 00:47.101 --> 00:49.584 and preserved for visitors to enjoy. 00:49.584 --> 00:53.751 It's also home to the island's new world class museum. 00:53.977 --> 00:56.327 ^Here at the Latte Stone Park in Hagatna 00:56.327 --> 00:59.510 ^you can see and touch these stone pillars. 00:59.510 --> 01:01.594 Their origins are a bit of a mystery, 01:01.594 --> 01:04.572 but they represent Guam and the Mariana Islands. 01:04.572 --> 01:08.072 They also represent the Chamorro identity. 01:08.868 --> 01:11.844 Besides historical sites there's plenty of outdoor hiking 01:11.844 --> 01:13.701 and water sports to enjoy. 01:13.701 --> 01:15.711 You can even charter a boat to experience 01:15.711 --> 01:18.595 some of the best scuba diving in the Pacific. 01:18.595 --> 01:21.280 - You know, I didn't know what to expect when I got here 01:21.280 --> 01:24.268 and since I had never really dove before, 01:24.268 --> 01:27.236 ^but they say Guam is some of the best premiere diving 01:27.236 --> 01:28.069 ^in the world 01:28.069 --> 01:29.336 ^so I figured I might as well check it out 01:29.336 --> 01:30.434 ^and it would be a waste to come here 01:30.434 --> 01:31.455 ^and not do it. 01:31.455 --> 01:32.937 And I fell in love with it. 01:32.937 --> 01:35.770 And luckily enough, you know, 01:36.297 --> 01:37.929 Skipper Deeder's been able to take us out 01:37.929 --> 01:40.315 and get some great dives here in the harbor 01:40.315 --> 01:41.739 and outside the harbor 01:41.739 --> 01:44.396 and some of the great sites around here. 01:44.396 --> 01:46.313 It's been a lot of fun. 01:46.656 --> 01:48.209 ^- The National Park Service oversees 01:48.209 --> 01:50.834 ^several of Guam's war memorials. 01:50.834 --> 01:53.041 ^This is the museum where you'll wanna visit. 01:53.041 --> 01:55.194 ^They have a fantastic short film, 01:55.194 --> 01:56.982 great interactive displays. 01:56.982 --> 01:59.574 You'll wanna visit here before you start exploring 01:59.574 --> 02:01.741 the war memorials on Guam. 02:02.045 --> 02:03.290 The museum has preserved 02:03.290 --> 02:06.444 some of the most important aspects of WWII. 02:06.444 --> 02:08.094 You can read and hear stories 02:08.094 --> 02:10.024 of how Americans liberated the island 02:10.024 --> 02:12.524 from Japanese control in 1944. 02:12.934 --> 02:14.088 Once you've seen the museum, 02:14.088 --> 02:16.533 you can make your way up to the Asan Beach Memorial 02:16.533 --> 02:17.599 and Overlook. 02:17.599 --> 02:21.766 ^- There's a lot of individuals who come of up here. 02:21.850 --> 02:24.850 ^tourists, military visit the island, 02:24.961 --> 02:27.128 ^locals to show where their 02:28.606 --> 02:32.773 grandparents are listed on the wall that survived. 02:33.061 --> 02:35.502 And then also, memorials and the anniversary 02:35.502 --> 02:37.002 of liberation day. 02:38.379 --> 02:41.739 - Lotz says thousands of tourists visit the parks every year 02:41.739 --> 02:43.372 to pay their respects to those 02:43.372 --> 02:45.215 who have fought and died here. 02:45.215 --> 02:49.382 That includes Chamorros, the Japanese, and Americans alike. 02:49.830 --> 02:52.227 ^There's so many great reasons to visit Guam. 02:52.227 --> 02:53.370 ^The wonderful weather. 02:53.370 --> 02:56.010 ^It's like an endless summer here year round. 02:56.010 --> 02:58.343 ^Learn more at visitguam.com. 02:58.574 --> 03:01.892 ^Reporting from the heart of the island in Hagatna, Guam. 03:01.892 --> 03:03.309 ^I'm Amy Forsythe. 03:03.449 --> 03:06.354 Defense Media Activity in Guam covers military news 03:06.354 --> 03:09.200 and information you won't find anywhere else. 03:09.200 --> 03:12.559 Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel.