Clinton in Guam

Re “Clinton Basks in Guam’s Enthusiasm,” Nov. 24: While I was working in Guam in 1969, it was announced that President Nixon was coming to the island. Then, Guam still had Japanese soldiers in hiding, regular midnight flights for honeymooners from Tokyo had been recently initiated and, occasionally, an Australian cruise ship stopped by.

My wife, daughters and I lived in a house not far from Agana. One could feel the excitement in the community for the pending event. Cleanup programs were immediately initiated. Old rusted cars in jungles and in front of houses were removed and within a few days the neighborhoods were glistening. Buses were brought to schools to take children to locations where flags could be waved as the president’s car passed by.

So as I read about Clinton’s visit, it brought back my memory of Nixon’s streaking limousine, windows rolled up, with occupants seated in the back like two sightless dummies as it raced full bore from Anderson Air Base to the naval base.

What a difference a “Hafa adai” makes!

FRANK L. BURKE

Los Angeles