Text Fwd: [famoksaiyanfriends] Operation Valient Shield / Thousands of Soldiers Head to Guam

* Text Fwd from Martha Duenas on Sept. 9, 2010

Marianas Variety
Thousands of Soldiers Head to Guam
Sweet One Gilliam
Thursday, 09 September 2010 04:00

ABOUT 2,000 hotel rooms around the island have been booked through October as thousands of soldiers from the U.S. mainland, Japan and the Philippines head to Guam to participate in Operation Valiant Shield---a major military exercise between the U.S. and its allied troops.

Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association President Mary Torre said Operation Valiant Shield was originally scheduled for August but was pushed back to this month.

Sources said different contingents from overseas, believed to be in the thousands, are scheduled to arrive this week.

Torre said the presence of more military personnel is good for Guam.

“They spend their money in so many different ways here on the island, as well as in the bars and restaurants, but not limited to those local businesses,” she said and noted that business was great during the past three weeks when the National Guard held its Vigilant Guard routine exercises.

“The tourism industry does benefit, whenever we have these large scale exercises because it increases room nights in hotels, it is important to remember that even with these exercises not all of the individuals are coming to town at the same time and it is a scheduled liberty and not everybody gets, liberty, when it is scheduled liberty like that they bring them in, but some of them stay outside on ships not even coming on island at all, so it is scheduled liberty,” she added.

Car rental companies and hotels said they are fully booked thus far.

David John, the chairman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce’s armed forces committee, agrees military exercises benefit the community in so many ways.

GCC President David Leddy also echoed the same opinion, saying: “Whether traveling to Guam for business, pleasure or military training purposes, we encourage all visitors to take advantage of all that our community has to offer. From dining and shopping to entertainment and exploring our historical sites, getting out into the community is a great way to get to know our people and culture and makes for a much more memorable stay.”

Torre advises the local businesses to be ready for the opportunity to maximize on sale, “Guam has a lot to offer, be prepared to stock your shelves, be prepared to sell, military personnel are only here for a limited time and majority of them will be looking for convenience items.”