Fallen U.S. Soldier Given Full Military Honors in Pohnpei, Micronesia

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(Excerpted from Kaselehlie Press, Wednesday, March 18, issue, Pohnpei Federated States of Micronesia [FSM]) – The body of 19-year old Hawaii Army National Guard Specialist Cwislyn K. Walter  arrived at the Pohnpei International Airport on Thursday, March 5, by military transport.  A motorcade of dignitaries and military officials escorted her body to the Catholic church in Kolonia, where a memorial service was attended by hundreds of people.  Father Frances Hezel, S.J., presided over the service.  Specialist Walter died in a non- combat-related traffic accident on February 19 in Kuwait, where she was deployed with the Headquarters Company, 29th B Brigade Special Troops Battalion. Three other National Guard soldiers were injured in the accident. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Specialist Walter was born in Chuuk, raised on Guam and in October 2008 became a citizen of the United States.
 
Bugler lowres[Photo credit: Courtesy of Kaselehlie Press, Jaynes-Lowres ]

On Friday, March 6, Specialist Walter's body was laid to rest in Nett, Pohnpei, FSM, in a burial service with full military honors. Her parents, Kiwis and Conception Theodore Walter, currently reside in Pohnpei, FSM. Major General Vern Miyagi presented the flag to the grieving parents. She was posthumously awarded an Army Commendation and an Hawaii Army National Guard Medal of Valor. An honor guard from the Guam Army National Guard provided a 21-gun salute, and a bugler played taps before the flag that had draped her casket was folded and presented to her parents.

The Pohnpeian Traditional Leader Iso Nahnken of Nett, Salvador Iriarte, was in attendance as were the American Ambassador to the FSM, Miriam Hughes, and Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (Dem.- Am. Samoa).
 
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At a memorial ceremony in Hawaii held on Wednesday, March 3, Major General Robert Lee, State Adjutant General, presented the State Medal of Valor to her parents.

Hawaii’s Governor, Linda Lingle, ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on that day in honor of the young soldier.

Article by By Bill Jaynes, Pohnpei Micronesia, Kaselehlie Press, “www.kpress.info”
 

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