Letters

On Duty, Honor, and Country My name is Dexson D. Ehmes. I am currently serving in the United States Air Force. I am a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia. I am writing this letter in response to the column written by our former president John Haglelgam. He stated in his column that FSM citizens are not joining the U.S. armed forces for the right reasons. I tend to disagree on some of his statements. I, for one am proud to be in the U.S. armed forces. My reason for joining the U.S. armed forces is simply because of what the U.S. has done for my country. The United States of America has given us the life that we live today. I have heard stories of my grandparents and their friends of their conditions in World War II. I am in awe to think an American pilot, who didn't know where Micronesia was during the old days, risked his own life, leaving family at home and getting on his plane, flew over enemy lines to destroy our enemies. American men risked their lives flying over my land to free my people from their oppressors. Joining the U.S. armed forces is the least I can do to say "thank you" to the United States of America for the sacrifices that were made to make Micronesia what it is today. My former president said, "The FSM citizens in the U.S. armed forces are not fighting for his/her country." I disagree. When I fight for America, I am fighting for FSM. The past may be gone, but the future wouldn't be the same if the past wasn't what it was. Senior Airman Dexson D. Ehmes, USAF

Niue Update

Excellent Website - www.PacificMagazine.net. But I see (that your Pacific 2005 listings) says under (Niue) media: "One AM and one FM radio station, Radio Sunshine. Television Niue (one station). Niue Star newspaper. One government operated ISP."

There is in fact one ISP but it is the Internet Users Society Niue (which is us), and we are not affiliated with the government in any way. We provide free Internet services to the entire country, both the government and the private sector.

Please update your site to reflect this. For more information on who we are, please see www.niue.nu.

Richard St Clair,
Co-Founder & Internet Evangelist,
Internet Users Society Niue
PICISOC Chairman, APTLD

Board Member Tuvalu's Big Choice

Tuvalu has become the latest country to join the International Whaling Commission.

The politics behind such a move are unknown. But the facts may be there for all to see.

Tuvalu cannot continue with its climate change/sea level arguments and compensation claims on environmental issues, then turn around at the next Commission meeting and vote pro-whaling.

You are either environmentally concerned or you are not. If Tuvalu were to accept aid money now to vote in a certain manner on the IWC, then its chances of winning any legal compensation claim for environmental threats will greatly diminish.

Jason McIlvena
Boroko
Papua New Guinea

Another Radio Station in FSM

Thank you for your publication, which has gotten better and better over the years. I specifically enjoyed the Pacific 2005 almanac feature in the January issue.

You know when you receive letters from readers that there will probably be at least one point they want to correct and this one is no exception. I currently run the only commercial radio station in the FSM located in Kolonia, Pohnpei.

The station was opened by the late Bernard Helgenberger as a hobby. It is currently owned by his son, Rodney Helgenberger. Over the years the station has seen a great number of changes and last year in July we filed for and received a formal business license for the station. It is a single-handed 200 watt radio station located 24 hours a day at 88.1 on the FM dial and is known as "The Mixx." The call letters are V6AV with broadcast license assigned from the Department of Transportation and Communications in Palikir.

We may be small but we are becoming more and more powerful. We do frequent editorials and are trying to develop funding for local, national, and international news broadcasting as well as the music that we supply to the island.

Keep up the good work at Pacific Magazine and thank you for whatever correction you can make to let people know about us.

Bill Jaynes
General Manager
V6AV FM 88.1 "The Mixx"