This Valentines' Day Holiday is taking on a much somber meaning in Guam this year.
Love-themed greeting cards, boxes of chocolates and quiet romantic dinners are traditionally the norm in this part of the world. Many would call those items back dropped against Tumon or any part of our island's majestic coastlines creates lasting memories that keep visitors and residents alike in love with Guam well after the feast day of the third century Roman Saint.
In 2013 it isn't courtly love that is on the minds of many here.
Two nights ago, a young man from Guam went from student inspiration to reckless felon. In a fit of rage 21 year old Chad DeSoto told police that he "intended on hurting as many people with his vehicle initially and subsequently with his knife". His 2007 Toyota Yaris and knife claimed three lives and injured 11 others including an eight-month old child. While the questions linger on what was his mental state at the time of this horrific crime, the random act of violence has brought the wrong kind of attention to our island.
And it could not have come at a worse time.
Expenditures to the U.S. Territories are threatened by fiscal cliff talks in Congress. A new U.S. Secretary of Defense has yet to be sworn in and there is no word on the Nominee's commitment to improving the security posture across our region to include the important bases of the Western Pacific. Local officials have hurled threats of lawsuits against the federal government for a myriad of issues related to unfunded mandates. Residents continue to tighten belts with the surging costs of goods and services here.
All this while, our main economic engine-tourism-has throttled to new heights not see in about 15 years.
To keep ahead of the frantic pace of this breaking news story, the visitor industry put on a "full court press" to assure travelers that Guam is still a safe destination despite the news still developing about DeSoto's actions. The Guam Governor's Office went to You Tube in an attempt to reach out to our source markets in to dispel any rumors about the stability of the island's public safety. Even the Japanese Government was thrust into action asking their traveling public to be vigilant while abroad.
The result-many Japanese tourists and others from around the world still made their way through our airport and into our tourist district. Hundreds still have their minds on enjoying the sun and surf of Guam now and in the days to come-most of which have only heard parts and pieces of what played out in Tumon recently.
The tragedy in "Pleasure Island" may have been isolated. The violence may be seen as an "anomaly". Senseless nonetheless.
The reaction of Guam residents has been profound. Our lone hospital was stretched to its limit and continues to perform for the best of the victims. The security guards and law enforcement took immediate action to prevent further escalation and to protect those in the area at the time. Less than 24 hours after the incident, many others gathered at the crime scene and prayed for calm and peace in our community. Expect more to come in the days ahead in support of the dead tourists and the injured visitors from all ends of the island. This terrible event has brought out the good in many from the deeds of a lone and troubled person.
On this day reserved for lovers, we reflect on the outpouring of love for complete strangers. Times are surely changing in Paradise Guam.