Guam has its first baby of America in 2024
Dr. Thomas Shieh has the distinction of being the only doctor who has been delivering the first baby of the year in America for 20 straight years. And guess the latest entrant into this cute and prestigious list of 2024. Her name is Yuna, and she was born at 12:38 a.m. on Monday, 2024. Yuan became the first Guam baby to be born this year and earned the position of the first baby born on American soil in 2024.
Dr.Thomas Shieh delivered the Yuna at 12:38 am in the Guam Memorial Hospital. Her father, Euijong Lee, has said” Most importantly, she’s born healthy. We are grateful to God that my wife and our child are healthy and in good condition.
As the Guam time Zone is kept one day ahead of the mainland, it automatically earns its name as the island where America’s Day begins. It is a U.S. territory of the western Pacific Ocean and almost at the boundary of the Philippine Sea. Guam is considered the largest member of the Mariana Islands and is located in the southernmost group of the archipelago. This archipelago is overall located in the northernmost group of Islands in Micronesia.
And returning to Yuna Lee, she has become the center of attraction for everyone. Lots of love is being showered on her, and a total of gifts worth more than $11,000 are being collected for Yuna and her family, for her better future. This was initiated by Archway Inc., a corporation doing business in the name of ‘I Love Guam’ along with 30 other local businesses, as a token of love for being the first prestigious baby of America in 2024.
“The slogan “Where America’s Day Begins” has been embraced by Guam for decades, acknowledging the island’s unique geographic location and the honor of welcoming the first baby born on U.S. soil every year. Archway Inc., in collaboration with over 30 local businesses and private donors, celebrates this recurring event for the 20th consecutive year, as stated in a Monday release.
Baby Yuna Lee, born to mother Yui Kamiyama, weighed nearly 5 lbs. and measured approximately 17.7 inches tall. The father, of Korean descent, expressed surprise at being the parent of “the first baby of America,” while the mother is of Japanese descent.
The father described the difficulties his wife faced while she was pregnant, especially after Typhoon Mawar hit Guam. Week-long power outages left Yui Kamiyama alone in difficult circumstances. The family is thankful that the mother and the child are both safe and well despite these challenges. The father conveyed gratitude for the support given by Dr. Shieh and other GMH staff members.
Baby Yuna is the couple’s second child; their older child, a boy, is 2. The father emphasized that while they didn’t anticipate having the first U.S. baby born in 2024, their primary focus was ensuring a safe delivery.
Dr. Shieh, who attended to the birth of Baby Yuna, mentioned that he was on his way to deliver a second baby past 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.
As the world celebrated the New Year with festivities, Guam eagerly welcomed the birth of “the first baby born in America,” and Archway Inc. announced that the 2024 I Love Guam New Year’s baby and family would receive gifts valued at over $11,000. These gifts include a year’s supply of diapers and wipes, gift baskets, certificates for local restaurants and retail stores, an overnight hotel stay, a spa massage, a car seat, free fuel, cash, and more.
Archway Inc. expressed gratitude to all its business partners for their consistent support and participation, emphasizing that the program’s success is attributed to their generosity and commitment to providing the family with a wonderful start to the New Year.
