BURIAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICE OF SOLDIER DEMONSTRATES FSM AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLONIA 000030 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV FM SUBJECT: BURIAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICE OF SOLDIER DEMONSTRATES FSM AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COOPERATION REF: KOLONIA 29 ¶1. (U) On February 19, FSM citizen and Specialist (SPC) Cwislyn ¶K. Walter, a 19 year old member of the Hawaii U.S. Army National Guard, died in a vehicle accident in Kuwait City, Kuwait. SPC Walter's parents reside in Hawaii, but they asked the U.S. Army Casualty Office in Honolulu to bring their daughter's remains to Pohnpei State in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) for burial. The Office contacted post and requested our assistance. ¶2. (U) Post has assisted the U.S. Army Casualty Office in Hawaii previously. In the past five years, three other Micronesian members of the U.S. military died in Iraq and were brought home for burial. Thus the Embassy was prepared to assist. However, military funerals in the FSM present a special challenge as there are no hearses, funeral homes, or public cemeteries in the country. Local custom dictates that the deceased be buried outside their homes or in a family private cemetery. ¶3. (U) When Ambassador Hughes learned of SPC Walter's death she immediately contacted the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs and met with FSM President Emanuel Mori to convey the sad news. She also contacted Mr. and Mrs. Kiwis Walter (parents of SPC Walter) and expressed her condolences. Mr. Walter asked the Ambassador to be at his daughter's memorial and burial service and the Ambassador agreed. ¶4. (U) Since Mr. and Mrs. Walter were both in Hawaii it was extremely hard to coordinate the details of their wishes for the memorial and burial service. However, Embassy staff stayed in constant communication with the Walters and their extended family living in Pohnpei and served as their advocates during a very trying time. For example, when the local family was unable to purchase a sarcophagus and headstone, post convinced a local merchant to extend credit. ¶5. (U) In the early morning hours of March 1, eighteen members of the Guam U.S. Army National Guard arrived in Pohnpei. Led by First Sergeant Gene Guzman, they would serve as the military Honor Guard in all ceremonies. They immediately began working with the Embassy on the arrangements for the memorial and burial services. Numerous practice runs were conducted at the airport, the church and the burial site. ¶6. (U) SPC Walter's remains arrived in Pohnpei State with U.S. Army Escort Sergeant Omar Reynolds on March 5 via a U.S. military C-17 aircraft. Waiting on the tarmac were the Ambassador, the Deputy Chief of Mission, and U.S. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega [Note: The Representative from American Samoa was in Pohnpei as Head of Delegation for an Election Observation Mission that same week. See reftel. End note.] Ten minutes after the C-17's arrival a commercial flight carrying SPC Walter's parents, two sisters, and three brothers also arrived. Major General Vern Miyagi of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) in Hawaii accompanied the family. The U.S. Military Honor Guard carried the flag-draped casket from the C-17 into an Embassy vehicle. ¶7. (U) After a motorcade procession with police escort, the mourners arrived at Kolonia Catholic Church for a memorial service. The church was packed with families, friends, and FSM Government Officials such as President Mori and Foreign Affairs Secretary Lorin Robert. After a full mass, Ambassador Hughes, U.S. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega and Major General Miyagi delivered remarks in the church. Secretary Robert also spoke. After the service the motorcade reformed and the casket was taken to the Walter family home in Nett municipality. ¶8. (U) SPC Walter was laid to rest at her family's private cemetery on Friday, March 6. She was buried with full military honors, including a seven-gun salute and the playing of taps by the Guam Guardsmen. Major General Miyagi presented the U.S. flag to SPC Walter's mother, Conception Walter. Ambassador Hughes, U.S. Congressman Faleomavaega and about one hundred family and friends of the Walter family attended the burial. CONCLUSION ¶9. (SBU) SPC Walter's services marked the fourth time since the start of the Iraq war that a Micronesian member of the armed forces had been buried in the FSM. However, it was the first time officials from the FSM government participated in the ceremonies - - Secretary of Foreign Affairs Robert delivered remarks at the memorial service with President Mori and other FSM cabinet members in attendance. President Mori also accompanied the casket to the family home. Previous FSM national government officials did not participate, more than likely because they disagreed with the high rate of enlistment by FSM youth into the U.S. military. However, in the current KOLONIA 00000030 002 OF 002 administration both the President and Vice President have children serving in the U.S. Air Force and Army, respectively. The Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs told Embassy staff that this government wanted to participate in all future memorial services for those FSM citizens who perish while serving in the U.S. armed forces. ¶10. (SBU) The honors and reverence shown SPC Walter demonstrated that at least one aspect of the Compact is working: Title III. That Title obligates the United States to defend the FSM and allows its citizens to join the U.S. Armed Forces on a volunteer basis. Post believes that the FSM looks upon the Department of Defense as a serious and dedicated partner. The Micronesians are particularly pleased with the success of the recent bilateral Joint Committee (JCM) meeting in Pohnpei. The country looks forward to continue working with the Department of Defense on available programs under the Compact of Free Association. ¶11. (U) Post would like to express its sincere appreciation to the members of the U.S. Army who participated in the ceremonies. Major General Vern Miyagi, Lt. Colonel David Kahanu, Sergeant First Class Angel Aponte, and Sergeant Omar Reynolds were attentive and respectful to the family at all times, easing their burden considerably. A special thanks and tip of the hat to First Sergeant Gene Guzman and the members of the Guam U.S. Army National Guard. Their professionalism and precision while carrying out their duties were truly exemplary. HUGHESMK