Media Release Office of the Governor Territory of Guam August 8, 1997

(Agana, Guam) -- A call to the people of Guam to join in prayer this Sunday for the victims and families of the Korean Air disaster was made today by First Lady Geri Gutierrez.

"The sudden and unexpected passing of a dear family member is the most difficult loss imaginable. These grieving families will suffer more than two hundred times over from a terrible tragedy that no one could anticipate or expect," the First Lady said. "We have an obligation to do all that we can to comfort the survivors and the family members who must bear these heartbreaking burdens."

The call to prayer is part of the First Lady's rescheduling of a planned women's gathering from August 10th to August 17th. "In respect to those who suffered a tragic loss, I have decided to move the event to the 17th of August and I hope people will join the Governor and our family in prayer this Sunday."

A private Buddhist prayer ceremony for family and friends of victims of Flight 801 will take place today at 4:00 p.m. at the temporary media center in Nimitz Hill. A second non-denominational prayer service will be held at the Korean Presbyterian Church in Barrigada Heights on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. The prayer services Sunday are open to the public.

For more information, contact Communications Director Ginger Cruz at 475-9309.