Youtube Stories: 1967-1969

Stories are added as we create them. Content from the collection is used to create these historic stories.
Please visit our YouTube channel and subscribe for automatic updates when new content is added. The videos listed below are ordered by date of creation; if you wish to watch the videos chronologically, visit this YouTube Playlist. 

Please view videos from Tom Zink submitted here.

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My Hometown, Peace Corps Micronesia and Veterans Day (1967 & 2023)​

  • Date(s): 1968 & 2023
  • Description:
    In remembrance of Veterans Day, I visit family graves in Ashburnham, MA.  My mother, father and grandfather, all veterans, are buried there.  I remember in 1967 how meaningful it was when the town sent me, a US Peace Corps Volunteer, the same Christmas Box sent annually to military personnel serving overseas – “for the benefit of local boys in the armed services, 20 of whom are in Vietnam.”  They also sent the Ashburnham Newsletter, “Sent free to all the residents of the town serving in the Armed Forces of the United States”
    ​
  • References:
    - Peace Corps Volunteer, January 1968, vol VII, no 3 page 21. Photo  Kit Porter, PCV, near typhoon damaged home,
    - Peace Corps 7th Annual Report, June 30, 1968, cover & page 35
    - Peace Corps Goes to Paradise, cover & page 4
    - Ashburnham Newsletter, no 218, Feb 1968. P 4&5
    - Letter from Kit Porter to Jeanne & Oscar Jarmon Jan 8, 1968
    - Ashburnham Newsletter, no 63 Aug 1953
    newspaper clipping, THANKS EXPRESSED
    newspaper clipping, 17th Country Fair Set for Ashburnham by Maria L. Clapp
    - Kpv collection Audio Inventory kit013,  October 20, 1968
​

Rota School Library [Part 1 of 4] OAKMONT RHS ASSEMBLY (Dec 1967)
N. Mariana Islands & Ashburnham, MA

  • Date(s):  December 2, 1967
  • Description:
    Rota’s School in September 1967 had a small library in two rooms of a contract teacher’s house that was not in use. In November 1967 the library was destroyed by Typhoon Gilda.  Kit Porter had started teaching and working at the library in September 1967 when she arrived as a Peace Corps Volunteer on the island.  Her mother, librarian at Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham Massachusetts, worked with the Student Council at Oakmont to collect, ship and donate books to the Rota School Library.  This is an audio tape Kit made to be played at an assembly explaining Rota’s needs to the Oakmont students. It also includes Kit reading notecards her mother made for an assembly about Rota and library needs..

    Special thanks to Fay Nelson Giordano for use of her photos.

  • Audio Used: #kit041
  • Photos Used: Rota #5, 16, 13, 10, 9, 4, 2, 3, Truk, Group A, Box 14, Photographs & Fay Nelson fn35 & 51
​
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ROTA SCHOOL LIBRARY [PART 2 OF 4] Oct. 1967 to June 1968
N. MARIANA ISLANDS & ASHBURNHAM, MA

  • ​Date(s):  Oct 1967 to June 1968
  • Description:
  • YouTube #39 was the audio tape Kit Porter made for an assembly at Oakmont Regional High School seeking donations of books for Rota School after Typhoon Gilda.  This YouTube combines audio following that tape where she talks about the donation of those books and other items and the development of the Rota School Library between January and June 1968.
​

Rota School Library [Part 3 of 4] #41  Kit Porter audio tape to Oakmont RHS, Oct 1968

  • Date(s):  October 5, 1968
  • Description:
    Almost a year after “Project Rota” began at Oakmont Regional High School, Rota School had a new library in a dedicated classroom, with students and teachers using it every day.  Kit Porter, a Peace Corps Volunteer on Rota, NMI, recorded this audio tape to them.  Highlights include: * Thank you to Oakmont school for sending books to the Rota School library and describing what has been done, *Library no longer used as classroom,  *Rota teachers have arranged & cataloged the donated books, *Teachers have been rained in how to use library, *Children books are most popular, *Seeking more non-fiction, a globe, Micronesian books, pictures, *Many new houses built on Rota after typhoon, *Possibility of pen pals 
  • Audio Used: #kit042
  • Photos Used: Fay Nelson Giordano: fn80,116,46,115,181,187,103,195,186,182,192,134 & Kit Porter: ROTA#26kpv68-8-21, #30 kpv68-10-15, #4169-1-11x, #32kpv68-10-26. 
    1968-69 photos:Fay Nelson Giordano & Kit Porter Van Meter
​
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Rota Cattle Farming & Ken Jones, NMI, Micronesia (1968)
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  April - July, 1968
  • Description:
    Rota had many farms for both produce and animals.  During the late 1960s, businessman Ken Jones purchased cattle from Rota for his farm on Tinian.  The Porters had no involvement in the process, but shared observations with their families.

    Press included: “:Micronesia: Island Millionaire” Time, Dec 15, 1967, p. 103 (photo: Karsten Pragen)

    Special thanks to Fay Nelson & Robert Bartolotta for use of their photos.

  • Audio Used: #kit047, P6-21, kit07, kit048, kit072, P6-09
  • Photos Used: Rota #s: 1, 15, 16, 19, 23, 44, 46 & Tinian T69-1_9, 12, 14, & fn144n & rb282
​

Vessels Wrecked on (1968)
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  Sept 22, 1967, May 31, 1968, Sept 1968 & June 1, 1969
  • Description:
    The vessel M/V Rota was christened off Rota on Dec 2, 1967.  It was owned by Prudencio T. Manglona, the Rota District Representative. The photo shows the priest finishing the ceremony, the Congressman from Saipan who came to speak, Chief Antonio C. Atalig (in middle), Antonio Atalig (back to camera) behind Manus Manuel Manabusan.  On the slide is written “. Boat can mean a lot to Rota’s recovery, which is held back by poor transportation. “ Two months later on Feb 9, 1968 it had crashed on the reef.

    Then the next month, a Korean vessel hit the reef and had a hole. Five months later, the M/V Marianas was destroyed by a passing typhoon leaving Rota with a damaged dock and without the vessels needed to supply the island.  In 1968, dock and storm problems plagued the island and its economy.

    Articles in the KPV Collection archives:
    “Short Life of M/V Rota” by Robert Learmouth, marianas bulletin, vol 2, no 8, Feb 23, 1968, page 5 (kpvcollection box#20E-Press Releases & minutes)
    ”The Tragedy of M/V Rota” by Tom Manglona & Fermina Atalig, Rota Monitor, Rota Elementary School, MI vol 1, no 1, Feb 1, 1968 pages 1 &2  (kpvcollection box #20–NMI Newsletters)
​
  • Audio Used: #kit041, kit03, P6-25, kit015, kit016, P6-15
  • Photos Used: Rota #06 67-12-1A & 2A, #10 68-2-13B to 15B, #15 68-4-14A, #37 68-11-12, #61 bw 60,62,63,65, #34 00032,  #34 kpv68-10-6h, FN 147 & 148
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Rota School’s Welcome & Farewell Parties (1967-69)
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  Sept 22, 1967, May 31, 1968, Sept 1968 & June 1, 1969
  • Description:
    Sept 1967 & May 1968 Rota School Year Welcome & Farewell Parties
    This story includes the description of the Sept 22, 1967 party from audio tape #P6-27 with the photos from the farewell party May 31, 1968.  The same people took part in both parties.

    People listed on slides in photos with additional names added by Doll Boddy & Rosie Casey. See KPVcollection Rota #20 Rota School Staff Picnic for names with photos.  : 1967-68 school year: Paul Taisican and wife, Marcie Manglona, Joaquine Norita, Connie Calvo, Julian Calvo and wife, Carmen Taimano, Johannes Taimano, Pete Ogo, Isaac & Fermina Calvo, Joseph Calvo,  Manny Babauta, Izabella Lizama, Juan Manglona, Jack Quitugua, Josephina Taisican, Marcelino Manglona, Kit Porter, Andy Perala, Liz Barcinas.

    Last photo of  Ken & Georgia Guernsey and family. Daughter Mariana born on Rota. Jacinta Dela Cruz returned to the states with them & Isabella Lizama 

    Sept 1968 Welcome Party photos
    No recording about the party is available.  Thank you to Fay Nelson Giordano for adding photos. Some people named on the photos are  Oscar Quitugua, Pete Ogo, Clair Howard, Cathy Diaz, Rudy Calvo

    June 1,1969 Farewell Party: 
    This story is of the June 1, 1969 Rota School Farewell Party.  People listed on the slides include: Isaac Calvo, Patrick Calvo, Joaquin, Mrs Perala, Kit & Greg Porter

    Related YouTube
    YouTube #9 Rota Youth Club Farewell Party for the Porters, NMI PCVs, 5/31/1969 posted 4/9/2021
​
  • Audio Used: #P6-27, #kit030,  #P6-04, P6-9, P6-10
  • Photos Used: Rota #20 kpv 68-6-11 to 21 & Rota #58 kpv 69-6-1p to 16p & FN98-99

Building New House After Typhoon Gilda
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  Dec 1967, Jan-Mar 1968
  • Description: Kit & Greg Porter’s rented house was destroyed along with many other homes when Typhoon Gilda went directly over Rota, Nov 12 & 13, 1967.  It was the responsibility of the community to assist in locating  housing for Peace Corps Volunteers in Micronesia, and they were offered the lumber from the destroyed hospital.  But Peace Corps provided funds for the purchase of the materials to build a new house. A new site was selected on land owned by Johannes Taimano who would own the house after they completed their service. Community members assisted with the building.

    ADDITIONAL SOURCE CONTENT ABOUT TYPHOON GILDA 
    1} YOUTUBE STORY #22 TYPHOON GILDA HITS ROTA 11/12/1967 POSTED 10/29/21
    2) kpvcollection Audio Inventory kit040:  Nov 21 1967 Kit & Greg Porter to Jeanne & Oscar Jarmon
    3) kpvcollection Audio Inventory #P6-19  Nov  22, 1967 Greg Porter to Emily & Gene Porter.
    5) Kit Porter letters 1967-69  kpvcollection BOX 52 (Partially digitized) Nov 13, 1967 description of Typhoon Gilda and aftermath; Dec 23 & 27, 1967 descriptions of building  new house
​
  • Audio Used: kit003, kit007, kit040,  kit041, kit054, kit045, kit071, kit046, P6-25, P6-22, P6-23

  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #9 67-12-20A to 22A & 68-2-1 to 15.  Also located in #3, #4, #8, #10, #11, #14, #15, #16, #29, #42, #52
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Ancient Taga Stone Quarry & Library
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  October, 1968
  • Description: October 6-9, 1968 a film crew came to Rota to film a movie for the Trust Territory and Northern Mariana Islands Departments of Education.  They wanted to film the Ancient Taga Stone Quarry, but it was not visible because of jungle growth covering it.  The Rota School  teachers worked with their machetes to clear the ancient quarry after bulldozers had cleared the area the day before.  Fortunato T. Manglona, John M. Manglona, Oscar Q. Quitogua, Misael H. Ogo, George Will and Greg Porter were photographed working.  John Manglona is shown with a bird that  Misael Ogo had shot.  In another photo, Fortunato Manglona has lost his machete, and it can be seen in the bottom right corner of the photo. 
    The Rota School Library was being expanded.  The teachers and students worked hard to organize, label books and decorate  in time for the filming. Books had arrived from Oakmont School in Massachusetts when PCV Kit Porter’s mother was librarian.
    “Taga” on the 1968 UN Day Float can also be seen on YouTube-”Rota UN Day & storms, Oct1968”  posted 1/14/22 and in kpvcollection: Peace Corps Memories, kpv image inventory

    Text & photos digitized and available in kpvcollection Box #14
    --Supplement Teacher Background Information for Social Studies IV, The Mariana Islands [Early Life in the Marianas & The Marianas During Spanish Times & The Marianas During German Times & The Marianas During Japanese Times ], (entry 8)  Mariana Islands District Administration, 1968 
    –SS IV The Mariana Islands, Part One: Teacher's Guide (entry 9) Mariana Islands District Administration, 1968 
    – Social Studies IV-Mariana Islands, A Fourth Grade Course of Study.(entry 10)  Dept of Education, Mariana Islands District 1968 
    – Marianas, Social Studies Lessons I-XVI , (entry 12) Dept of Education, Mariana Islands District 1968 
​
  • Audio Used: #kit012 & #P6-17

  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #33 kpv68-10-12k - 18k, #39 68-12-11d & 12d, #30 68-10-10 & 11, #42 69-1-2y

Exploring Mt. Taipingot/Wedding Cake Mt. (1968)
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  June 13 &  July 14, 1968
  • Description: On June 13, 1968, Kit & Greg Porter, Peace Corps Volunteers on Rota tried to climb up to the flat top of Mt. Taipingot, also know as Wedding Cake Mt.  They did not know the path, got lost, did not make it to the top and were miserable, but saw spectacular views.  The next month, July 14,  Rainaldo & Maria Songsong Manglona and three daughters, Annamarie, Anuncia &  Alfonsina took the Porters up to the top following the old path.  The path was obscured by typhoon damage but passable, and they made it to the top with no difficulty.  They also went with the Manglona family to the beach and their farm.
    Annamarie Songsong Manglona, better  known as Nena, saw the photos of her family on kpvcollection.com and shared memories of her family and life on Rota. She added content for this YouTube which Kit Porter Van Meter narrated.  The song  "like my mother does" by Lauren Alaina reminds her of her mother.
  • Map of Rota from Atlas of Micronesia for Elementary Schools, undated probably TTPI publication
  • Fay Nelson Giordano provided the photo of the gun on Rota
​
  • Audio Used: #P6-12 & kit011, email from Annamarie Songsong Manglona 12/13/2020 &  5/14/2022 (recorded by kpv)

  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #27 68-7-16 to 19 & 68-8-1 to 8; #43 69-1-9w; #10 67-9-21; #23 68-6-19n to 21n; #15 68-4-5A, #43 69-1- 8w, fn#51
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Life on Rota with Kittens and Cats, NMI, Micronesia (1968-1969)
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  1968-1969
  • Description: It was not the custom on Rota to keep animals as pets.  The Porters were given two cats that were pets and hunters of mice, rats & geckos. Most visitors to their home had never heard a cat purr.  The cats had kittens. First grade school children visited them. Also discuss coconuts crabs, cows, dogs, storms, fish,  balloons & , neighbors sharing. Many thanks to George Will for the fish and photo of fish. And to MZ Morgan for her photo of a coconut crab and of cooking
​
  • Audio Used: #kit045, kit054, kit046, P6-25, P6-21, kit048. Kit072, kit011, P6-09, P6-10, kit013, kit020, kit060, kit024, kit027, kit028, P6- 03, P6-05, kit029
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #s 9, 10, 15, 29, 32 37, 39, 42, 48, 52, 61, GWill-35, mz_1(7) & (4)

Youth Club: Water Cave, Beach, & Mangoes, May 4, 1969
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  May 4, 1969
  • Description: Kit & Greg Porter, Rota Peace Corps Volunteers, borrowed a van and took the District 4 Youth Club group around  Rota.  Most had never been to the water cave, which provided water to the village via pipes installed when the Japanese lived on Rota. They found a cliff for jumping off near the beach and picnic site.   Mangoes were plentiful.  The Youth Club provided many community services on Rota and planned many gatherings.
​
  • Audio Used: Kit #P6-05, #028, #027
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #53 69-5-8y to 22y & 2z, 3z, 7z​​
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Easter Gatherings, APril 1969
Rota, NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  April, 1969
  • Description: Easter was celebrated by the population of Songsong village on Rota.  Kit and Greg Porter took part in many activities, but only have photos of the District Easter Day party.   The first and second-graders came to their home to look for Easter eggs Kit had made and hidden.   Kit cooked with the women and girls in preparation for an Easter Sunday party at the shrine made for the occasion.  Unfortunately, she went picking mangoes with the women–confirming her allergy.  They went to midnight mass Easter Eve. 
​
  • Audio Used: Kit #028, #065, #027, #066
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #50, #63, #10​​

Law Day & Rota School Picnic, Rota,
NMI, Micronesia, 1969

  • Date(s):  May 1-2, 1969
  • Description: On Thursday, May 1, 1969 Law Day was recognized on Rota with speeches.  Then on May 2 there was no school and Grades 1,2,3,& 4 went on a picnic at McKay Beach. Kit Porter spent much of the time in the water with them, and Greg Porter did the same and  took photos. Most of the children do not know how to swim. Also on May 2 representatives of the Congress of Micronesia (COM) arrived on Rota for three days and started holding meetings with different departments and groups.  COM representatives went to the different districts in the Trust Territory to study and report on  problems.  The Porters visited with the representative from Yap and his wife, and she came to the picnic.  More audio/transcriptions about the Congress of Micronesia meetings with Education and Peace Corps will be available in a different format.
​
  • Audio Used: Kit #P6-05, #P6-02
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #54, #55, KPV/Saipan​​
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Graduation, June 1969, Rota School
​NMI, Micronesia

  • Date(s):  June 4, 1969
  • Description: Incomplete audio from 1969 Rota School Graduation with available photographs.  Graduation Events included a Mass for the graduates at Rota’s Catholic Church; a party given by the 8th graders the night before graduation; a party given by the PTA after the ceremony and later by many families.

    Photographs of graduation show Representative Roman Manglona, Congress of Micronesia, giving the graduation speech (recording not available).  Receiving prizes are 4th graders Florencia Atalig and Ignacio; 5th graders Juana Barcinas and Salvador; 1st graders David Atalig & Josepha. Posing for photos are Rosario, Maria Mendiola and Kit.
​
  • Audio Used: Kit #013, #034, #P6-04
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #56​​

BUILDING DOMINGO'S TYPHOON-PROOF HOUSE ON ROTA,
NMI, Micronesia 1969

  • Date(s):  May 24, 1969
  • Description: Community work together on Saturday May 24, 1969 to put the cement  roof on Domingo Atalig’s house on Rota, NMI. Leon & Chris put cement into tins. Domingo Atalig passes cement to George Will. Manny & Greg Porter work on the roof with Joaquin Atalig. Children, Antonio Barcinas & Jesus Manibusan rest from shoveling sand. Tito Barchnas has wheel barrow on roof and Felix Flawau has the tin can. Helping to shovel sand are Juan Muna & Francisco Taimanao.  Spreading cement on the roof are Manny, Joaquin, George, Jim Tischler & Domingo.

    On Sunday Kit Porter gave swimming lessons to a few neighborhood  girls.  

  • Audio Used: #P6-02, #P6-10
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #18, #60, #52​​
​
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Rota School Graduation,
​NMI, Micronesia 1968

  • Date(s):  June 7, 1968
  • Description: In 1968, Thirty four (34} Rota School students graduated upon completion of grade 9.  Many went on to high school on Saipan or Guam. Only a partial recording of the ceremony remains, because the  2nd side of the tape was taped over.  The ceremony took place in a school classroom with diplomas on a pandanas fruit. The final photo is of Ignacio Mesagon with his parents Francisco & Victoria and his godmother Isabella Lizama.

    Robert F. Kennedy was mortally wounded and died the day before graduation. The people on Rota, in general, spoke highly of former President Kennedy and his family, and we saddened and baffled by the assassination of his brother, Robert F. Kennedy.  PCV Kit Porter describes being fearful for the country. 
​
  • Audio Used: Kit #048, #044
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #22, Grad program doc​​

Youth Club Camping and Reef fishing, rota

  • Date(s): March 21 to 30, 1968
  • Description: Chris Taitano, president of the District 4 Youth Club is putting up a tent with three boys watching.  Francisco Taimano, Jesus Songson and Eugene Santos are in their tent. Florence M., Corinat, Rosario R., Rita M. & Maria S. sing with the guitar and have fun. Manases Manglona & Joaquin Taitano are in front of their tent.

    Kit & Greg Porter went reef fishing with their friends Flory and Ed Dela Cruz who later moved to Majuro to work in Agriculture
​
  • Audio Used: Kit #025, #060
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #44, Mz Morgan ​​
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Rota UN DAY AND STORMS

  • Date(s): October 21 to 30, 1968
  • Description: UN Day, an annual event on Rota with a parade, Queen’s court, speeches, and games was held on Oct 25, 1968 delayed for one day because of the threat  of Typhoon Irma. School closed for a half day on Monday Oct 21, all day Oct 22 & 23 and then Oct 24 was used for prep with the celebration held on Oct 25. Then on Sunday Oct 27 Typhoon Judy did not hit but further damaged and sank the MV Marianas, a boat important to the island.
    Special thanks to Fay Nelson Giordano for her support and sharing of her photos and diary about 1968 UN Day. 
  • Related YouTube Stories:
  • Audio Used: Kit #015, #014, Recent recording (2022)
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #30, #37, Fay Nelson Giorano, & Unknown B&W​
  • Document used: Program UN Day Celebration October 25, 1968, 23rd Anniversary, Rota (7 pages); Tropical Cyclones Affecting Guam (1671-1990) [U.S. Naval Oceanography Command Center]

YAP ISLANDS IN MICRONESIA

  • Date(s): August 22 to 26, 1968
  • Description: PCVs Kit Porter and Greg Porter traveled to Yap in August 1968.  In Colonia, Yap, they stayed with PCVs waiting to take  the field trip boat to Woleai and other Outer Islands. They  traveled Yap by jeep toward the Coast Guard Station seeing stone money in Rumung, a PC house built by islanders, paths leading to villages, a woman’s house and graveyard. In Gagil they saw the boathouse and the old German Communication Center and later rusted Japanese zeros from WWII. The next day, they went to Gorror,  Gagil and Rumung and the day after by boat to Map.  Photographs were taken after asking for permission.  The Porter’s traveled with a man from the Embassy in Japan who was able to speak with the older islanders in Japanese and the young women were comfortable talking with Kit in English.

    A special thanks to Mark Skinner, a 1970s  PCV on Satawal  and to Jean Thoulag, PCV on Ulithi, both with extensive experience in Micronesia, for their advice on respecting privacy while sharing. 
  • Map of Yap District with Outer Islands  from page 31 Welcome to Yap District: Island of Stone Money and Lava-Lavas, Yap District Administration around 1977.  A 50 page booklet with information for people visiting Yap 
  • Map of Yap Islands from page vii of Kakrom, a 58 page magazine created by students from Yap Junior and Senior High Schools with their teachers, Sebastian L. Anefal and Robert A. Ruecho and edited by Tamdad around 1977.

  • Audio Used: #P6-001, #P6-011
  • Photos Used: KPV/Yap​
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Typhoon Gilda hits Rota

  • Date(s): November 12 to 21, 1967
  • Description: *All about Typhoon Gilda, *Air Weather Fleet Central radio typhoon warnings, *Expected typhoon to hit Guam but hit Rota, *Girl Scouts helped Kit prepare, *Spent 3 days in typhoon cave, *Had only radio in cave that received Anderson Air force station so knew eye was going over Rota, *Scene like winter, *Surveyed damage, *Day after left cave Navy helicopter was able to land, *TT & PC officials came next day, *Need building materials, *Distributing food & clothes from Guam, , *Issues over what priorities should be, *Islanders cannot get to their farms, *Another night in cave when Typhoon Harriet came two weeks later, *Library books were damaged.

    Tony Calvo wrote: I'll never forget the destruction of Typhoon Gilda that destroyed our house. We were fortunate to take shelter at the school until we were able to finish building another house. Those pictures brought tears when I remember the hardship and destruction we suffered then. But thank God nobody died.

  • Audio Used: Kit #040 & P6-19
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #3, #4, #5, #14
  • Boxes Used: #1, #42, #52,  #55, #20C, #20E​

Completing Micro 5 Peace Corps Training on Udot, PT. 4
​

  • Date(s): Summer, 1967
  • Description: After completion of the training classes, there was a selection process, new PCVs  were sworn in, training was evaluated, and parties were held.. Questions remained as to whether or not the Peace Corps should be in Micronesia.  Final departure was delayed resulting in an overnight on Guam.
  • Audio Used: Kit #037A, 038, 039
  • Photos Used: KPV/Truk & Micro 5 PC Training
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Narrated Photos of Udot, Truk/Chuuk
(Micro 5 Peace Corps Training, PT. 3)

  • Date(s): Summer, 1967
  • Description: Greg Porter, PCV trainee at the time, narrates twenty slides for his family-- a picnic on a lagoon island, a visit from Western Island sailors, families and daily life.  Kit Porter, also a PCV trainee, reads written descriptions from slides of High Commissioner Norwood’s visit to Udot when turtles were killed for a feast, and a baseball game played in the Chamorro language.
  • Audio Used: Kit #096 & Narration by Kit (2021)
  • Photos Used: KPV/Truk & PC Training

Udot, Truk/Chuuk
​(Micro 5 Peace Corps Training, PT. 1)

  • Date(s): Summer, 1967
  • Description: This, with a few additions,  is the first audio tape I made after arriving on Udot.  It is to my grandfather, Oliver J. Schoonmaker, who died at age 85 while I was in the Peace Corps.  He was always supportive and proud of my life choices and it is special to hear our communication again.
  • Audio Used: Kit #070, 039, 096, 085
  • Photos Used: KPV/Truk & Micro 5 PC Training
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Wonei, Truk/Chuuk 
(Micro 5 Peace Corps Training, pt. 2)

  • Date(s): August, 1967
  • Description: During the first decade of the U.S Peace Corps, established by President JF Kennedy, PC held its first in-country training in the U.S. Trust Territory of Micronesia.. Micro V was trained on the island of Udot in the Truk/Chuuk lagoon after staging in California.  207 trainees began training with 140 becoming volunteers. They were English teachers (TESL), communication experts and secretaries. Training included: Language, Area Studies, Community Development, Health, PE,  Swimming, & TESL.  Trainers were  Experienced PC Volunteers, Language and Culture informants, Area experts, PC doctors and nurses, District leaders & Educators.
  • Audio Used: Kit #096, 37A, 038
  • Photos Used: KPV/Truk & PC Training

Rota First communion (1968)

  • Date(s): December 8, 1968
  • Description: First Communion in the Catholic Church on Rota was celebrated every year with a special church service.  Beautifully dressed, the children were pulled through the village as part of a procession ending up at the Round House for a marvelous feast.  This was followed by family parties.  PCV Greg Porter took photographs to give to the families.  Many thanks to Felicidad Castro (Dolly Boddy) and NMI PCV Rosie Casey for helping to identify the people in the photographs. Please visit Photo Inventory #38 on Peace Corps Memories on the KPV Collection website for more names and/or to add or correct names.
  • Audio Used: #P6-018 (17:50-23:49)
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #38 68-12-(1-19) & 68-12-(1f-20f)
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Songs Recorded on Rota (1960s)

  • Date(s): October 1967, January 1968, & June 7, 1968
  • Description: Most special about living in Micronesia was being at home or at a party or beach gathering when someone would start playing a guitar (or not) and people would sing.  I have just a few recordings of singing on Rota in the 60s, and am sharing those here.  If you know the names of those singing, please send them and they will be added..  Thank you to Fay Nelson Giordano for her photo of PC trainees sharing music. Also thanks to Rebecca and Dan Eilson for their photo.  Maps are from Peace Corps Training in 1967.   Will have more songs to share when we start creating YouTube stories from when I worked in the Marianas 1975 to 1983.
  • Audio Used: Kit #001, 054, 044, 034
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #8, 20, 32, 50, 7, 22 & Content from Fay Nelson Giaordano and Rebecca & Dan Wilson

Rota Students Describe Life on Rota & Sing

  • Date(s): April 5, 1968
  • Description: Rota School students talk about Rota and thank Kit’s mother, Jeanne Jarmon, and Oakmont School in Massachusetts for library books. Starts with the students singing Isla Luta--My Island of Rota, followed by topics: families, sports, village, houses, holidays, food, weather, school, library, island, customs, transportation, church, government, politics, farms, tools, plants, livestock, and history.
  • Audio Used: #Kit084
  • Photos Used: from Kit Porter, MZ Morgan, Fay Nelson Giordano, Tom Zink
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PCVs Porters First House on Rota

  • Date(s): September & October, 1967
  • Description: Kit and Greg Porter arrived on Rota September 4, 1967 and began teaching English at Rota School the next day.  The audio is from Kit.  Following is what Greg’s said--fluctuating electricity made it hard to understand Greg’s tape. 
  • Audio Used: #kit001, #kit039, #kit083
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #3 kpv67-10, 1- 5 & 10-14; #1 kpv67-9-17, 20, 22; #8 kpv67-12-16A; #43 kpv 69-1-20w & 34; #5 kpv67-12-18 & 22,  #47 kpv69-3-18 & 20; #10 kpv69-2-4B; #4kpv67-12-8​

Rota UN Day Celebration

  • Date(s): October 24, 1967
  • Description: UN Day is tomorrow--a queen has been elected and floats have been made and judged.  The school children have learned games and prepared for races.  This audio shares what will happen and the visual shows  the actual event.  Unfortunately, Typhoon Gilda hit Rota  18 days later before a follow up tape was made. The float by Public Works features Jesus V. Castor with a live fish and Roman Castro as the canoe builder.  Ina Manglona is Miss Agriculture. Principal Isaac Calvo and Mayor Atalig are on stage with the Queen and her court. (Thanks to Doll (Felicidad) Castro Boddy and Rosie Casey, RPCV,  for identifying some participants)​
  • Related YouTube Story: ROTA UN DAY and STORMS OCT (1968) UN Day Parade & Games; Typhoons Irma & Judy; MV Marianas sinks
  • Audio Used: Kit #01
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #2 67-10-9 to 23 & 67-11-1 to 9
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Visiting Palau's Villages, WWII Remains and Natural Sites

  • Date(s): August 26 to September 3, 1968
  • Description: The Palau islands are long and skinny with a lot of inlets and good harbour areas with a surrounding barrier reef that provides protection to boats.  Koror where we stayed is a busy commercial and entertainment area.  We were shown the Koror area by a nun, Sister Robert Marie, seeing a crocodile at the Entomology Lab.  We still have the storyboard Bernardino made for us.  We took a boat dropping off new PCVs on Babeldaob at villages only accessible by water and spent part of a day in the village of Ngeremlengui.  Another day we took a boat to Peleliu and saw WWII sites in one of the two vehicles there.  It was a big help to have Tom, from the American Embassy in Japan, touring with us and able to talk with everyone in Japanese.  Mostly, only the children spoke English.  On the final boat trip, we enjoyed a Labor Day beach picnic.​
  • Audio Used: #P6-01, #P6-013, #P6-011
  • Photos Used: KPV/Palau P68-8-1to25,  P68-9a-1to24, P68-9b-1to44, P68-9c-1to8​

MV Ran-Annim From Rota to Tinian & Saipan

  • Date(s): May 8-9, 1969
  • Description: Kit & Greg Porter, PCVs took the ship from Rota to Saipan because the plane was delayed three times and then cancelled. “ A man had 700 pounds of lettuce that he picked in the morning to go out on the plane-- of course lettuce doesn't keep and Rota has no refrigeration storage area available on the island.”  The Ran-Annim made weekly trips between Guam, Rota, Tinian & Saipan and was leaving that night so they took it to Saipan where they were scheduled for PC physicals.  During a stop on Tinian, they toured the island with Tinian PCVs  Phil & Alice Koprowski.​
  • Audio Used: Kit #029 (16:49 to 18:49)
  • Photos Used: KPV/Tinian T69-5-1 thru 10; #10 69-2-5B; #42 69-1-3
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Rota from a Fishing Boat

  • Date(s): May 1968
  • Description: Most of Rota’s boats had been destroyed by storms.  It was unusual to have the opportunity to view the island from the sea. The sea was also rough and dangerous for a small boat. The Porters were invited to go fishing, but only a couple birds were caught  by mistake. The first view just barely shows the departure  dock and then the views continue in order halfway around the island.  There is farmed flatland with the water cave above someplace.  There are caves and fallen rocks--one in the shape of a heart.​
  • Audio Used: Kit #048
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #17

Rota Youth Club Farewell Party for PCVs Porters

  • Date(s): May 31, 1969
  • Description: The District 4 Youth Club members arrived unexpectedly at the Kit/Greg Porters house Saturday morning, cleaned and arranged the house, brought flowers,  food, music and everything needed for a farewell party. With nothing to do--Kit went to a friend’s house and sewed a new dress to wear.   After a wonderful night with fantastic company,  food and dancing,  the club members arrived the next day and cleaned the house.  Some people dancing are: Vicky, Josalina, Jesus, Felicidad, Eugene, Maria Songsong, Rosario & Maria Taimano.  Some others are: Mayor Atalig & his wife, Principal Isaac Calvo & his wife, District Rep Prudentio Manglona, George Will, Florena, Matilide, Flora, Stacy Weaver, Rita Ogo, Clair, Tommy, George, Marina, & Danny.  The Porters left on June 5, 1969
  • Audio Used: #kit030 (3:00 to 4:35)​
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #57 kpv69-6-1 thru 22, #42 kpv69-1-17b
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From Saipan to Pagan and Agrigan on Hafa Adai

  • Date(s): May 10-12, 1969
  • Description: Peace Corps Marianas chartered the ship,  Hafa Adai,  to make a three day voyage to the Northern Islands of Pagan and Agrigan.  The radio was out on Pagan.  In May 1969, roughly 46 people and one PCV lived on Pagan and roughly 36 people and a PC couple lived on Agrigan.  Pagan had an airstrip and a dock but Agrigan did not.  A small boat was used to get from the ship to Agrigan.  On the trip, the doctor did a small operation and the priest held mass.  See Pagan & Agrigan photo content for additional details.​
  • Audio Used: Kit #029 & #086
  • Photos Used: KPV/Pagan #P69-4-1 thru 31; #P69-5-3 thru 6. KPV/Agrigan #A69-5-2 thru 22r, Saipan 69-6-18, Rota #34 68-10-7h

6th Grade field trip around rota

  • Date(s): April 18, 1969
  • Description: PCV Greg Porter and 6th grade teacher Paul Taisican took their 6th grade students on a school trip  to: Mochung Beach & Taga Stones, As Neivis Taga Stone Quarry, Caves where Japanese lived during WWII, Two Brothers’ Point, Phosphate Towers, & Swimming Cave. Pictured on the beach are Lucia, Mildred, Rosa, & Candida; Sitting on a Taga stone are:  Diana Manglona & Fidelia Cabrera; In the cave is Ted Gobal, PCV and later Lucia; Paul Taisican is shown at a few sites and Manny Babauta, school staff, is the jeep driver.  We are looking for a class list and other names.
  • Audio Used: Kit #066 (17:11 - 24:13)
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #51 69-4-(1-22) & 3t | #53 69-5-12y | #48 69-3-5r
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Water Cave Provides Water to songsong villages

  • Date(s): January 21, 1969
  • Description: Jack Adams, who was on Rota repairing the docks, went to the water cave to check the water flow and brought Kit Porter & Greg Porter, with him along with Kathy & Roma Diaz, Dennis, & Rudy.  The group photo shows Jack and these friends by the water cave sitting on what was part of the Japanese water system. Also seen is the new dam for collecting water. Most people on Rota had not been to this location.
  • Audio Used: Kit #053 (21:00 - 22:13)
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #15 68-4-3A | #40 69-1-(4-7) | #19 68-6-1

Phosphate mine ruins on rota

  • Date(s): February 22, 1969
  • Description: Exploring old rusted ruins of phosphate mine on Rota.
  • Audio Used: Kit #059 (11:50 - 12:30)
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #48 KPV 69-3-(1-8) | #40
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Going Up a River to Catch Shrimp

  • Date(s): October 20, 1968
  • Description: Rose Barcinas, Domingo Atalig and Adam went in Domingo's jeep to catch fresh water shrimp (also called crayfish) and took Kit Porter and Greg Porter, PCVs with them.  The streams came down from the water cave with waterfalls and pools along the way.  They also collected bamboo, sugarcane, lemons, limes, hot peppers & snails (to use the shells to make necklaces)
  • Audio Used: Kit #013 (2:12 - 4:08)
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #36 KPV 68-10-22h & 68-11-(1-8)

Valentine's Day dance

  • Date(s): February 14, 1968 & 1969
  • Description: Since most of us will not be going out for Valentine Day 2021, here are memories from Rota, Northern Mariana Islands 1967 & 1968.  Rota School was decorated and a Royal Court selected.  For 1968 we see Queen Ester Atalig, King Donicio Ogo, Prince Alex Castro & Princess Rosita Atalig. For 1969 we see Queen Vicky, King Luke, Princess Roma & Prince Jesse.  The music is from September 1967 when friends came over to hang out and sing on the porch and I sent some of the songs to my grandfather in California.  The local band at the dance would have played songs like this.
  • Audio Used: Kit #001
  • Photos Used: KPV/Rota #12 & #45
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Visiting a friend's farm

  • Date(s): October 19, 1968
  • Description: Recording from PCV Kit Porter about visiting a friend's farm on Rota, October 1968​