Palau News Reminder: Palauans Sacrifice in US Military Under the Compact Terms
Merv Melatk shared Think Big Palau - news feed's post to the group: Palau2013.
Think Big Palau - news feed
In Honor of 7 Selfless Warriors: Palauan Brothers In Arms
By nature of headlines in mainstream media and pop-culture, we know the names and statistics of every athlete to grace our favorite professional sports teams. While these pros are indeed true examples of hard work, skill, and performance, here is a humbling story about a remarkable group of individuals who might provide a different form of inspiration. Their names are Kintaro, Meluat, Emul, Ngiraked, Ueki, Obabkrairur, and Moses… and you won’t find them on ESPN.
For this story we must fly 8,500 miles from the town of Vestal, NY where I grew up (population ~28,000) - halfway across the world to the Western edge of the Pacific Ocean - where one can find a small island nation of relatively the same size (population ~20,000). This is the Republic of Palau.
Don’t worry; I wasn’t sure where Palau was either. We don’t learn much about the Oceania region of the world in our formal education. Not until I was an Army Platoon Leader tasked to lead a 13 man Civic Action Team of engineers, mechanics, and medics to serve in this country did I put a magnifying glass to a map to find out where it was. I took my lack of ignorance as an opportunity to learn about and embrace a new culture. From this rich experience came an inspiration to share a small but significant part of their story and how their example of service changed my outlook on the world.
Of the many things Palau and the US share, proximity is not one. However, the strong relationship between our two countries bridges the immense geographical distance. The connection between Palau and the United States dates back to World War II, when the US incurred over 10,000 casualties securing victory during the historic and bloody Battle of Peleliu. From that time forward, Americans and Palauans have emerged together in spirit through a fusion of lifestyle, of democracy, and of freedom. Our two diverse cultures, although still very different in upbringing, share bedrock values. In Palau as in America, family and service rise above all. We are also similar in that we both contribute our most valued assets, our Sons and Daughters, to counter evils such as terrorism that challenge our shared ideals across the world.
Since Palau became an independent nation in 1981 and even before that, these tough islanders have signed up in high density to join the US Armed Forces to serve. (Note: As part of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and Palau, Palauan citizens can join and serve in the US Armed Forces). In fact, Palau and the other countries in Micronesia (Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Marshall Islands) contribute more personnel per capita to the US military than any state in the United States.
I‘ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know many Palauans to include many strong and service-minded veterans. Following their military service, many Palauan veterans return home to hold important leadership positions. One strong example is that the two highest-ranking current traditional leaders of Palau, High Chiefs Ibedul and Reklai served in the US Army and Marine Corps, respectively.
Unfortunately some of them will never have the opportunity to return home to provide such leadership. This post is for those seven Soldiers and Marines.
John J. Kintaro, CPT, US Army, KIA Vietnam 1971
Jaygee Meluat, CPL, US Marine Corps, KIA Iraq 2004
Adam Quitugua Emul, CPL, US Marine Corps, KIA Iraq 2007
Meresbang Ngiraked, CPL, US Army, KIA Iraq 2007
Philton Ueki, SPC, US Army, KIA Iraq 2008
Jasper Obabkrairur, SGT, US Army, KIA Afghanistan 2009
Sonny Moses, SGT, US Army, KIA Afghanistan 2011
These seven warriors gave their lives defending my freedom before I was even aware their nation existed.These warriors are true American and Palauan heroes.
In honor of their sacrifice, I will again complete Palau’s Annual marathon on April 2nd, which is notorious for it’s endless hills and humidity. I am motivated to endure 26.2 miles of pain and sweat to honor the blood they shed, to raise awareness, support their families and remind me once again why I serve. In those regards, I’m proud to continue to serve with the strong family of Brothers and Sisters in our Armed Forces. Please take a moment to reflect on their sacrifice and join me in sharing their story.
Rest In Peace Brothers. Fallen but not forgotten.
Think Big Palau - news feed
In Honor of 7 Selfless Warriors: Palauan Brothers In Arms
By nature of headlines in mainstream media and pop-culture, we know the names and statistics of every athlete to grace our favorite professional sports teams. While these pros are indeed true examples of hard work, skill, and performance, here is a humbling story about a remarkable group of individuals who might provide a different form of inspiration. Their names are Kintaro, Meluat, Emul, Ngiraked, Ueki, Obabkrairur, and Moses… and you won’t find them on ESPN.
For this story we must fly 8,500 miles from the town of Vestal, NY where I grew up (population ~28,000) - halfway across the world to the Western edge of the Pacific Ocean - where one can find a small island nation of relatively the same size (population ~20,000). This is the Republic of Palau.
Don’t worry; I wasn’t sure where Palau was either. We don’t learn much about the Oceania region of the world in our formal education. Not until I was an Army Platoon Leader tasked to lead a 13 man Civic Action Team of engineers, mechanics, and medics to serve in this country did I put a magnifying glass to a map to find out where it was. I took my lack of ignorance as an opportunity to learn about and embrace a new culture. From this rich experience came an inspiration to share a small but significant part of their story and how their example of service changed my outlook on the world.
Of the many things Palau and the US share, proximity is not one. However, the strong relationship between our two countries bridges the immense geographical distance. The connection between Palau and the United States dates back to World War II, when the US incurred over 10,000 casualties securing victory during the historic and bloody Battle of Peleliu. From that time forward, Americans and Palauans have emerged together in spirit through a fusion of lifestyle, of democracy, and of freedom. Our two diverse cultures, although still very different in upbringing, share bedrock values. In Palau as in America, family and service rise above all. We are also similar in that we both contribute our most valued assets, our Sons and Daughters, to counter evils such as terrorism that challenge our shared ideals across the world.
Since Palau became an independent nation in 1981 and even before that, these tough islanders have signed up in high density to join the US Armed Forces to serve. (Note: As part of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and Palau, Palauan citizens can join and serve in the US Armed Forces). In fact, Palau and the other countries in Micronesia (Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Marshall Islands) contribute more personnel per capita to the US military than any state in the United States.
I‘ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know many Palauans to include many strong and service-minded veterans. Following their military service, many Palauan veterans return home to hold important leadership positions. One strong example is that the two highest-ranking current traditional leaders of Palau, High Chiefs Ibedul and Reklai served in the US Army and Marine Corps, respectively.
Unfortunately some of them will never have the opportunity to return home to provide such leadership. This post is for those seven Soldiers and Marines.
John J. Kintaro, CPT, US Army, KIA Vietnam 1971
Jaygee Meluat, CPL, US Marine Corps, KIA Iraq 2004
Adam Quitugua Emul, CPL, US Marine Corps, KIA Iraq 2007
Meresbang Ngiraked, CPL, US Army, KIA Iraq 2007
Philton Ueki, SPC, US Army, KIA Iraq 2008
Jasper Obabkrairur, SGT, US Army, KIA Afghanistan 2009
Sonny Moses, SGT, US Army, KIA Afghanistan 2011
These seven warriors gave their lives defending my freedom before I was even aware their nation existed.These warriors are true American and Palauan heroes.
In honor of their sacrifice, I will again complete Palau’s Annual marathon on April 2nd, which is notorious for it’s endless hills and humidity. I am motivated to endure 26.2 miles of pain and sweat to honor the blood they shed, to raise awareness, support their families and remind me once again why I serve. In those regards, I’m proud to continue to serve with the strong family of Brothers and Sisters in our Armed Forces. Please take a moment to reflect on their sacrifice and join me in sharing their story.
Rest In Peace Brothers. Fallen but not forgotten.