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My name is Julian Riklon. Im from the clan called IJIDRIK. I have land right mainly in these three atolls: Namu, Kwajalein, and Rongelap in the Marshall Islands. The following is the timeline of the story of my life: April 19, 1946 I was born on Kwajalein, Marshall Islands 1954 I saw the Bravo Nuclear test 1957- I returned to Rongelap and was used as one of the Controlled Group (guinea pig) by the AEC doctors. (Atomic Energy Commission was later named Department of Energy/DOE) 1960- I gave my life to Jesus 1961-1962 I attended Ebeye Christian Elementary School-grade 6th 1962- 1965 I attended Rongrong Christian Intermediate School-grade 7th -9th 1965-1969 I attended Hawaii Baptist Academy, Honolulu, Hawaii. 1969-1973 I attended California Baptist College/California Baptist University, Riverside, California 1973-1986 I worked on the Bible translation into Marshallese language 1974- I married my wife Sholla 1982- Kwajalein Atoll Corporation, treasurer Operation Homecoming- New Land Use Agreement on Kwajalein Atoll 1986-2001 Kwajalein Atoll Local Government Finance Director Kwajalein Atoll Joint Utility Resources General Manager

2004-2012 Kwajalein Atoll High School - Principal I have attached the following story of my life. Please read it if you have time and if you are interested to know more about me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story with you.
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A MEMORABLE JOURNEY OF AN ISLAND NATIVE

My name is Julian Riklon. I was born on Kwajalein, the main Island of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, on April 19, 1946, about a year after Kwajalein was liberated from the Japanese during World War II. My fathers name is Atlon Riklon and my mothers name is Bweian Riklon. The American doctor who administered the delivery of my birth named me after himself, Julian. At least that is the story I was told by my mother when I became old enough to understand. At that time I could still remember the debris and remains of tanks, armored trucks, mortar cannons, machine guns and sea planes left from the war which ravaged the whole island of Kwajalein earlier in 1944. I could still remember the fallen coconut and breadfruit trees and the many big pot holes dug up by the bombs dropped from the B-29 bombers. Kwajalein Island was one of the few strategic points of the Japanese strongholds in the Pacific before the war, and many footages and documents of that period can be obtained from the archives in Washington, D.C. When I was about six years old, I went with my grandfather to live on my home island of Ebadon, the last island in the most western part of Kwajalein Atoll. There I spent my early years learning how to fish and how to live off the land by growing taros, breadfruits, bananas, arrow roots, and climbing coconut trees for drinks. This was a really native life style I thoroughly enjoyed and my grandfather was such a good teacher. One thing I learned from him is that if you dont want to get sea sick anymore and you are on the sea throwing up, then you must swallow back your vomit, no matter how gross that may be. Well, I learned this cure one day on a trip sailing from Ebadon to Ebeye. Just as we were coming to the middle of the long pass called, Toon Mij, which may literally mean Dead Pass or Dead Sea, I started feeling sea sick, so much so that I began throwing up. When my grandfather saw that, he headed toward me and demanded that I swallowed it back or he would throw me off the boat. I had to think fast between being thrown out into the shark invested sea and be eaten or to swallow back my own vomits to live! Well, I lived and I have never gotten sea sick anymore. I took my grandfathers sea sick medicine! One morning in 1954, I woke up by a sudden loud sound that shook the ground and raddled the windows of my house. I immediately got up and ran outside to see what that was, but as I got out I could see that the whole sky, particularly in the north, was all red. It was really a sight that I had never seen before. So the first thing that came to my mind was that the world was now coming to an end! I could only stand there marveling at the beautiful red skies and wondered what would happen next. At that time my neighbors were also coming out of their houses and we all stood there not knowing what to do. But after several hours we learned that the U.S was conducting a nuclear bomb test on Bikini, and the bombs name was Bravo. What an ironic name for such a
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destructive device! We learned on that day that the people of Rongelap and Utrik were affected and were very sick from the radiation fallouts. They had to be evacuated soon, and I was very afraid and worried as I knew that one of my younger brothers and my grandmother were among the people living on Rongelap at the time. But after one day, they were immediately evacuated to Kwajalein where they received immediate medical attention and treatments. Fortunately, they were being rescued just in time or the whole population might have been wiped out in two days! Some years later my grandmother died of radiation related diseases and my brother has continued to live with problems also caused by radiation. From time to time he would receive medical checkups which monitor his failing health. After living on Ejit in Majuro for three years, the Rongelap people returned to their home island in 1957. My parents and the whole family went back with my grandmother and lived there until I left them to attend a private school on Rongrong in Majuro. In 1965 I graduated from the ninth grade, and was asked by

Cousin Laji and myself, pictured together several days before leaving to Honolulu to attend Hawaii Baptist Academy.

a missionary couple to go to Hawaii to further my education. Knowing only a few English words, I accepted the challenge. So in July of 1965, I left my parents again and went to Honolulu, Hawaii where I was admitted at Hawaii Baptist Academy. I came to know in later years that one of the reasons I was sent to Hawaii was to find out how a young Marshallese teenager can study abroad in a different school and different environment and a new language to understand but be able to survive. Well, after four years of struggling and striving and being away from home, I finally graduated in 1969 with the I Dare You award along with my diploma! I was very grateful and thankful to my sponsors and my teachers who

Senior at HBA kindly helped me get through those difficult years. I will always be indebted to them, especially to Rev. and Mrs. Elden Buck, and Miss Maurine King, who was my World History and Spanish teacher. She helped me with my studies and also wrote the recommendation letters on my behalf to attend California Baptist College in Riverside, California (CBC has now become California Baptist University). So, in the fall of 1969, I enrolled as freshmen at CBC. I remember the day I arrived at LA International that it was so hot at 115 degrees! I had never felt so hot in my entire life until that day. Then about an hour later, I got on a helicopter and flew to Riverside where I was met by the Dean of Students, who took me to the college campus. Somehow I soon felt at home and wanted to look around to familiarize myself in that new place. The campus was beautiful but quite deserted since everyone was still on summer break. College life was much different than high school. I had more freedom as I was now on my own phase. I joined the track and field team and also the soccer team. But I was most interested in playing tennis since I was in my own game and I would be blamed for any mistake I would make. I also enjoyed playing tennis because it kept me from getting home sick and also gave me the chance to travel on school expenses to compete with other colleges and universities in the neighboring states of Nevada and Arizona. So my first year in college came and went without much problems. During the summer of 1970, my sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Leland, who were working with Raytheon on Kwajalein at the time, asked me if I would be interested to travel with them to visit their relatives living in several states in the Midwest. I said yes because I wanted to see more of America. So I took the Greyhound bus for the first time and rode to meet them in Tucson, where they
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were visiting Mrs. Lelands mother. After resting for two days there, the five of us, Mr. & Mrs. Leland, their two children and I, got into a rented car and were on our way to Dallas, Texas, where one of Mr. Lelands brothers lived. But after driving so many hours on Interstate 40, we came to stop at a place looking for a restaurant to get something to eat. We all got out of the car and literally ran into the restaurant very much anxious to make our orders since we were very hungry. A big crowd was already in there and every one of them was staring at us strangely as we all entered, but the waiters were not paying attention to us. They were all looking at me in particular, and that made us realize that we were not welcome in that place. So, Mr. Leland knowing the situation calmly told us to get out. When we were on the road, he told us that the people in that restaurant did not like us because of me having brown skin! They were bunch of red necks who did not like blacks or browns. There I had my first experience of being discriminated against. Fortunately, we finally arrived at the home of Lelands brother. He, a Minister himself, and his lovely wife greeted us warmly into their Christian home. What a different atmosphere that was! For in just a few hours I had gone from one extreme to another, from hatred to love and kindness. It was such an experience to remember! Nevertheless, a day later we drove up to Topeka, Kansas where Mr. Lelands parents lived on a big farm. The old man taught me how to milk the cows in his barn and then he took me on his pickup truck loaded with hay to feed his other cows on the hills and prairie near his farm. He was also raising pigs, chickens and even catfish in the swamps on the farm, and we had fresh meat and fruits and vegetable for all of our meals during our one week visit there. Unfortunately, we had to leave again to go down to De Moines, Iowa where another brother lived. We spent only a few hours with him there before driving up to Brainerd, Minnesota, where the last brother lived. Here was the place I felt terribly homesick because I was reminded of home as I looked across the lakes. It was like looking across the lagoon to another island. Yet, the water was chilly and cool even though it was still summer time. I was told that the people in that state enjoyed very much riding their snow mobiles on ice covering the lakes during winter. I guessed it would almost be like sailing canoes across the lagoon. The last state that we visited after driving through Wisconsin was Illinois. There in Springfield, we visited Abraham Lincolns home and his tomb. I was very excited and delighted to be able to enter into the tomb of such a great statesman, a man whom I had heard about and admired many years before leaving the Marshall Islands to the states.
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After Illinois, we departed each other separately. They flew to Boston while I got on the Greyhound bus and went back to Riverside. But on the way back after crossing other states like Nebraska and Colorado, I stopped at Salt Lake City, Utah and spent two days there visiting the Mormon Temple. I was fortunate to see and hear the Tabernacle Choir singing and performing that evening. The next day I got on the bus again and headed home with a stop at Las Vegas where I spent the whole day resting. That night, I watched with great amazements the colorful neon signs displayed on the hotel casinos and on those buildings along the streets. Later that night, I couldnt believe my eyes after entering a restroom to see a slot machine built next to the toilet bowl! This was built purposely, I thought, to make it convenient for the person sitting on the bowl to play. Just imagine what would happen if that person luckily hits the jack pot on that machine, and then a lot of coins start coming out and falling on the floor while he is still resting on his throne! That would be an interesting sight to see. After that memorable summer, I spent the next three years with more determination and commitment to finish and complete my college career. So in June of 1973 I graduated from California Baptist College with a BA in History and Bible as my minor. I offered my Lord a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude for guiding me to reach the end of my college journey. Now I felt that I had to return home and to be with my family and friends. I also thought about returning a huge favor to Rev. and Mrs. Elden Buck, the missionary couple who helped me in so many ways during all those years of my schooling. They had asked me several months before my graduation to join them on a project of translating the version of the Good News Bible into Marshallese language, and this was a request I could not refuse or ignore. Although I knew that the task was not an easy one, but it was one that I would need Gods guidance and blessing on.

Eli, Kalani, and Simon. My familys visit to alma mater some years later.

I came back home and immediately left again to attend a training workshop held in Chuuk for all Bible translators. The venue was at Savior High School, a school for boys only at that time. One day I went along with Dr. Hanlin and Father Eazel, two of the prominent resource people, for shopping in the biggest store in Moen village. As I was looking over the counter to choose a pair of slipper, I felt something poking at my left side. I immediately stopped to see what that was, and to my surprise, I saw a big fellow standing on my side sticking his long knife at my ribs. I was so surprised and panicked that I didnt know what to do except to think for a second that here was the end of my life! Amazingly, the cops were there sooner than I had expected after someone alerted them of that drunken fellow. They handcuffed him and led him out of the store leaving me standing still and puzzled over the instance. It took me a while to recover from that shock and stricken emotion. Would you believe that after that instance, I promised myself never to return to Chuuk again! Well, I have broken that promise because I have been to Chuuk several times now. Anyhow, the training came to an end and I flew back home to start working on my new job as a full time translator of the GNV (Good News Version for Modern Man) Bible. The project came to be completed after 16 long years, and we were very proud and happy to know that our new translation was among the first few complete translations of the Bible in the whole world! Praise and honor be to the Lord. Im always humble and thankful that I was privileged to be a part of that great task. I believe that I had learned and gained more knowledge and understanding of the Bible from my

(l-r) Mary, Jornadrik, Alice, Dr. Hanlin, Fr. Hacker, and Julian The manuscript was finally finished and ready to be printed. works on the project than all the Bible courses I had taken in college. I also learned that a translator must always be truthful to the meaning of any verse and must try not to translate words for words. Otherwise, the meaning is lost. A good example is this phrase, I love you with all my heart. The English word heart is used here to express deep love. But in the Marshallese language, a different part of the body called, Buru, (throat) is used for the same meaning. Yet in the Hebrew language, the part of the body is not heart, or buru, but it is a part of the small intestine! So here we see in this example that different words can be used to express the true meaning. The lesson is that its important for all translators to be truthful to the meaning of a sentence. So often the true meaning is lost or misinterpreted because the translator is translating words for words. Anyway, Im thankful that I have learned this very important lesson which guided me throughout my career as a Bible translator. Now every time I see people opening their blue covered Bible to read in worship services, I bow my head down in prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for allowing me to be a part of this important project of translating his precious and divine words into my mothers tongue. It was truly a privilege for me. In 1982, a sail-in demonstration against the U.S army base on Kwajalein called, Operation Homecoming, really shook both the RMI and U.S governments. A good numbers of discouraged Kwajalein landowners moved unto the base on Kwajalein and occupied several restricted installations. This came about as a result of numerous unfulfilled promises made by government leaders. The landowners wanted to claim their lands back because the existing land use agreement at that time was now coming to expiration. So the landowners representatives and the two governments representatives met at the Pentagon in Washington DC to work on a new lease. Interestingly enough,
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the new Land Use Agreement (LUA) was drawn up as a result of a walkout by our group from the intense negotiation. At first we were very dissatisfied and unhappy with the terms and conditions of the new lease presented to us, and we felt that the only solution was to return home. But the walkout changed everything. A new LUA was drawn up to the satisfaction of all sides and was then signed by the leaders of the landowners and President Amata Kabua of the RMI and Under Secretary Noel Koch of the Department of Defense. After the signing ceremony, the old Marshallese anthem, Ij Yokwe Lok Ailin Eo Ao, Ijo Iar Lotak Ie, was sung by us Marshallese who were there to witness the important event. One time during the beginning of the Operation Homecoming, there was a heated confrontation between the landowners and the policemen of the base. As I was helping the old ladies in translating what they were saying to the policemen during the demonstration, the Chief of Police ordered his policemen to arrest me, and in an instance a policeman jumped on me and pulled me away from the crowd. He choked me and nearly killed me. But about a month later, unexpectedly, I saved his life from drowning! What happened was that we both were trying to save another man who fell off his boat, but he couldnt swim. So the policeman and I started swimming toward him. Because he was wearing his heavy clothes and had his police gear on, he couldnt stay afloat any lo nger and he started sinking. Instinctively, I was swimming with a piece of 2x6 which kept me afloat. I pulled up to him and the other fellow as soon as I could and gave them the 2x6 for floatation, but because they inhaled so much salt water I had to bring them to shore quickly. Fortunately, the paramedics were there to apply first aid as soon as we got ashore. So several days after that instance, the policeman came to thank me for saving his life. Would you believe that I had no hard feeling toward him although he almost took my own life several weeks earlier! In 1985 I was very fortunate to travel to Israel with Rev. Elden Buck and a group of people from his congregation. After meeting him in Honolulu, we flew to California and from there we continued on to Chicago. There we changed flights and boarded a Jordanian airline named Alia Airline, and after long hours of non-stop flying over Atlantic and several European countries we landed in Vienna, Austria. Here was a place where, I thought, one could go back in time just by being inside some of the old cathedrals and castles which are still standing among some modern buildings in and outside the city, although they were built sometime between 14th and 16th century! So my entering and actually being inside these old cathedrals really took my breath away! But what
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really amazed me most was that they were magnificently maintained and well kept over the centuries. Anyway, that evening some of us went to downtown to see and watch the local symphony orchestra performing classical music. What a treat that was! Actually it was no surprise to us since Vienna is known for its famous orchestra and opera singers. So after three days of sight-seeing, we got on Alia Airline again and flew to Jordan and after several hours of flying, we finally landed in Amman. As we went thru the immigration checkpoint, I was really amazed of how careful and cautious the officers were with us and with our suitcases. They were so careful in their checking that I was asked to remove my clothes off at one point! I couldnt say no because that would have meant putting me in prison. So after nearly an hour of checking thru immigration we proceeded to our hotel which was several miles away from the airport. The drive was quite long but I was awake all that time thinking of what I just went thru at the airport! I could not stop wondering whether I was dreaming or I was actually experiencing and seeing something new! Anyway, we arrived at the hotel and spent the rest of the day and the night there. The following morning, we all got on a tour bus and began driving toward the border between Jordan and Israel. We came upon the old city of Jericho and before we could enter into the Israeli side we had to go thru immigration checkpoint again. The process was more through and tedious, but by now I was accustomed and willing to go through. When we came out of the checkpoint, I could see soldiers of both countries positioning themselves inside their own bunkers on either sides of the border pointing their machine guns at each other! At the same time, I could see trucks loaded with fruits and vegetables going out of Israel to Jordan. The tour guide wasted no time to tell us that the tight security and the business of trading of food for oil between these two countries had gone on as far back as one could remember! He also told us that although people of these two countries are all descendants of Abraham through his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, they have continued to fight! After several hours of driving, we arrived in Jerusalem and headed straight to our hotel. We started the next day by visiting the wailing-wall in the city and then on to Jesus tomb where we all gathered in a garden nearby. Rev. Buck kindly asked us to join together to conduct a communion service in remembrance of the Lords Supper. Later that day, we visited Bethlehem and went inside a church, where it is believed to be the Birth place of Jesus. The actual spot was marked for identification with a star surrounded by candles.

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Rev. Hansen Lalimo and Rev. E. Buck in Dead Sea. This was one interesting stop

During the next day, we left Jerusalem and drove up to the Sea of Galilee. We came to a small church on the side of a mountain where, again it is believed to be the place Jesus preached the sermon of the Beatitudes to a large crowd. Then as the evening approached, we drove down to a kibbutz on the shore of Sea of Galilee and spent the night there. After having our breakfast the following morning, we all got on a boat and sailed across the sea toward the other side. Just as we came to the middle of the Sea, Rev. Buck again offered to read some passages from the Bible referring to the time when Jesus calmed the sea. I thought of the story as we slowly moved over the calmed water toward the pier on the shore of Capernaum. We arrived just in time for early lunch which consisted of St. Peter fish. What a treat that was! Then later that afternoon, we drove up to the Golan Height and saw those armored tanks and trucks scattered on the hill side as remnant of the six day war which took place in 1967 between Israel and several Arab countries. Of course we had heard that Israel under Prime Minister Golda Meir defeated the enemies. On our way back to Tel Aviv, we drove along the River Jordan and came to an area where we saw a lot of people wearing white clothes. This was a baptismal place and the people of different denominations came to be baptized and renewed their faith in Jesus Christ. It was our turn to join those who were crowding the bank of the river, and then each of us stepped into the cold water to be baptized by Rev. Buck. What an experience!

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Boklang, Rev. Buck, and Bweian in River Jordan As I traveled through these Biblical places throughout Israel, I could not help but remember vividly what I had read in the Bible when I worked on the translation of the scriptures, the passages which were referring to these places. I must say that the feeling was spiritually uplifting and rewarding, something which I would not have achieved and enjoyed very much had I not be a translator, a privilege which Im always thankful for. The more I walked on these hallowed grounds the more I felt that I needed to follow closely in His footsteps. We left Tel Aviv and flew to Egypt, the last place on our itinerary, and after flying less than an hour we landed in Alexandria. From there we drove along River Nile up to Cairo and spent two days visiting the museum and the pyramids. I learned for the first time that these pyramids were built long time ago as burial tombs for the Pharaohs, or the kings and queens of Egypt. Standing underneath

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Riding on a camel near the pyramid in Egypt was a life time experience!

the tallest pyramid, I wondered how the Egyptians were able to stack the huge boulders diagonally on top of each other up to the very top, not to mention the fact that these pyramids were built on sand dunes. Where would they have gotten these huge rocks from? It would really take some magical power or some genius engineers to accomplish this tremendous work. I guess this is why these pyramids are listed among the Seven Wonders of the World! I came back from that exciting and wonderful trip more educated and knowledgeable about the land of Palestine, but most especially of the Holy Land. As a young boy in my home island of Rongelap, I actually thought that someday I would build a canoe and sail it to Israel. The thought came to me as a result of my grandmother telling me interesting Bible stories of the Israelites and the young man called Jesus. I wanted so much to get there, but I never thought that one day I could actually be there to see things with my own eyes. My dream really came true at last! Several months after the trip, I became involved in the relocation of the Rongelap people from their home island of Rongelap to a new home on Mejatto, Kwajalein Atoll. Apparently, the people were afraid of ingesting too much radiation into their bodies and wanted to leave their islands. So on the first week of April in 1985, I joined two other friends and we flew to Honolulu to meet the Green Peace ship called Rainbow Warrior. Apparently some sort of an agreement between the Green Peace Organization and the leaders of the people
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of Rongelap had been reached, and the ship was to be used for the relocation. So for two weeks we sailed across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu to Rongelap and started moving the people to their new home island. The process of transporting the people and their belongings was quite difficult but in the end everything went well and the people settled down on Mejatto. Once again they have left their home island all because of the radiation problem. What is radiation? I was told that it is a substance that causes cancer and other health diseases. It is a word that we do not have a translation for in our own language! We can only equate it with the word poison.

Two weeks from Hono to Rongelap

Making 6-9 kn

Tragedy struck the Peace ship!

Sadly though for Rainbow Warrior, the ship that was saving the lives of the people of Rongelap, was bombed and destroyed in the harbor of Auckland, New Zealand three weeks after the relocation! It was a shock to the world but most especially to the people of Rongelap. It was soon discovered that the French Government was behind the bombing and the two agents involved were caught and brought to trial at the World Court in Geneva, Switzerland. Unfortunately the two supposedly convicted criminals were unexpectedly released and sent home. They were welcomed and received high honor as heroes from their government. What an ironic twist for such a tragedy! From 1989-1993 I worked for KALGov as Finance Director under Mayor Alvin Jacklick. In 1994, I helped Iroijlaplap Imata Kabua establishing the new power authority and named it, KAJUR, or Kwajalein Atoll Joint Utility Resources. I became its first General Manager and stayed on for about seven years. At one time, I was invited to speak at a large gathering in Hiroshima where commemoration of the destruction of that city was observed. On that trip I learned of the plight of the thousand of Japanese people who lost their lives as a result of the atomic bomb dropped on the city. History books and other documents were written about the destruction and devastation caused by the first atomic bomb which finally brought the World War II to its conclusion.
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I was fortunate to attend the first hearing in Washington DC on the nuclear exposed victims, and the attention was mostly focused on the Rongelap people, many of whom were my relatives. I also traveled throughout the U.S. to attend meetings and give testimonies on behalf of our people who were suffering from radiation related diseases. I even testified in several committee hearings held in Washington, D.C. and also in the Trusteeship Council at United Nation on issues related to both Rongelap and Kwajalein, my two home islands. I have taken the story of my people and their struggle with the radiation problem and its effect on their lives and their lands to other countries like Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia. While in these countries, I am always proud and happy to introduce myself as someone from the Marshall Islands, a very tiny island country in the Pacific, located between Hawaii and Guam! Home on the Range is a documentary film made by my friend Adam Horowitz. The film is about the ongoing problems caused by the testing of the long range missiles in Kwajalein and also the continued effect of radiation on the health and livelihood of the Marshallese people, particularly the people of Rongelap who are now afraid to return to their home islands because it has not yet been declared safe for inhabitation. But the main issue presented in the film is about how important and valuable land is for any Marshallese. The setting is at Kwajalein Missile Range, the US Army base on Kwajalein, which is used as a target for long range missiles traveling over thousands of miles from a place called Vandenberg in California. Amazingly enough it takes less than 20 minutes for the missile to reach its target in the lagoon! Of course, nuclear warheads do not necessarily need a target. In the fall of 2004, I became the first Principal for the new public high school called Kwajalein Atoll High School located on Gugeegue, Kwajalein. I have been in the position for the last nine years now hoping that someone will soon take over so that I can retire and be able to spend more time with my family. I must say however that I was very fortunate and blessed to be working with my staff and faculty over these past nine years. Although they came from different nationalities, I have been very happy to work and interact with them, even learning about their own cultures and customs. I can honestly say that without their supports and expertise, I would not have been able to help progress and improve the development of KAHS and its students over the years. At one time I attended a very important and productive workshop called, Breaking Rank. I learned that if a principal wants to run and administer
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his school well and improve student performance, then he/she must do and implement the following: 1. Establish the essential learning a student is required to master in order to graduate, and adjust the curriculum and teaching strategies to realize that goal. Increase the quantity and improve the quality of interactions between students, teachers, and other school personnel by reducing the number of students for which any adult or group of adults is responsible. Implement a comprehensive advisory program that ensures that each student has frequent and meaningful opportunities to plan and assess his or her academic and social progress with a faculty member.

2.

3.

4.

Ensure that teachers use a variety of instructional strategies and assessments to accommodate individual learning styles.

5.

Implement schedules flexible enough to accommodate teaching strategies consistent with the ways students learn most effectively and that allow for effective teacher teaming and lesson planning.

6.

Institute structural leadership changes that allow for meaningful involvement in decision making by students, teachers, family members, and the community and that support effective communication with these groups.

7.

Align the school wide comprehensive, ongoing professional development program and the individual Personal Learning Plans of staff members with the content knowledge and instructional strategies required to prepare students for graduation.

These seven methods and techniques are very essential and important, and I have tried to put them into practice through the years as Principal of KAHS, and I have found them to be very useful and helpful. Breaking Rank also encouraged me to leave and shy away from the status quo. It gave me new perspectives on how to manage and run things to make improvements and new developments in a school environment. For example, some people dont like the
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idea of students calling me, Jimma, or grandpa and not Mr. Principal because they think its not respectful. Well, I dont see any problem with that because I feel that Im a lot closer to the students in that way. I just accept their way of calling me, Jimma, even if they are not related to me in blood or otherwise. I find it easier to speak and interact with them in a respectful way. We get along well and we get things done.

Working at KAHS for the past nine years as Principal has been challenging but also rewarding.

I would like to attach a report on the Close Up trip made by

several high school students from the Marshalls in 2008. I was fortunate to travel with Mr. Timius Anien as escorts for the students. The following students came from different high schools in the Marshall Islands to represent our country to the Close Up program held in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City from March 16-29, 2008: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Melvin Jakkein Michelle Hitchfield Marlene Joel Attok David Nashon Swinton Kilma Dolores Jabnil Alysa Welch Demetria Malachi Ryle Ned Drexler James Frank Luther Nelson Miller
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MIHS MIHS MIHS MIHS MIHS LHS LHS LHS JHS JHS JHS NIHS

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Nichole Snight Francis Takatsuki Velma Matthew Walton Langrus Timius Anien Julian Riklon

NIHS AHS KAHS KAHS MIHS (Teacher) KAHS (Principal)

Monday, March 17, 2008. The two students and their Principal of KAHS flew to Majuro on Continental and were joined by the other 14 students representing various high schools in the Marshall Islands and a teacher representative. The Continental flight was pretty long and tire-some, but we finally arrived in Honolulu around 2:00am (again on Monday morning). We checked into Ohana Hotel near the airport just to rest and wait for our 2:20pm flight. The kids were asked to purchase heavy clothes in order to be ready for the cool weather ahead! Tuesday, March 18, 2008. We arrived in Washington D.C. in the afternoon after a total of more than 14 hours in the air and one hour layover in Houston. We were met by some young people from the Close up Foundation to sort of guiding us to our hotel. As we were boarding our buses, every one of us immediately felt the freezing weather and we began to look for our heavy clothes! Before we could check into our rooms we had to register and get our Close Up schedules. . Wednesday, March 19, 2008. After breakfast, we were given tickets to ride the subway train to visit the Pentagon Mall. What a ride as the kids were so excited and amazed! Thursday, March 20, 2008. Visit to Mount Vernon, George Washingtons home. A lot of history here as we were taken back in time! Interesting note: George Washington was a great leader and a humble statesman, but he was also a man of a few words. He once said, If you dont have anything good to say, dont say anything at all. He was an interesting man! No wonder more people come to visit his historical and lovely home and to learn more about him. Friday, March 21, 2008. Early bus ride to James Town and Williamsburg Town. Again, a lot of historical artifacts and remnants of the past existed here, since these are the places where the first European settlers landed in early 1600s. After a delicious dinner and then watching a play depicting the kind of live in the colonial days, we checked into a hotel and spent the night. Saturday, March 22, 2008. After breakfast, one more look through the city of Williamsburg. Personal note: A little boy of five or six years of age came up to me and said, Sir, have a happy Easter! I have never been so touched and moved as I looked at this lovely little boy thinking of his parents and grandparents who must have taught him the very important message of Easter!

Again, I learned never to underestimate what the little ones can say
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at any time. Our three buses were loaded again, and we were on the road back to Washington D.C. This time we checked into a different hotel named, Key Bridge Marriott. Looking from my window I could see the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, and also the Capitol Hill. What a beautiful view! Sunday, March 23, 2008. Today is the Easter Sunday! After breakfast, we all gathered together in Timius room to have a prayer meeting. In keeping with the message of this very important day, we read in unison verses from Psalm 23 and John 3:16. Then we sang the chorus, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, and closed with the Lords Prayer. Monday, March 24, 2008. After breakfast, we were separated in groups; the students were in one group and the teachers were in another. Our group was visiting the monuments and the memorial sites. These sites were incredible and amazing, but I was more interested in the World War II memorial because I saw the name of Kwajalein inscribed on marble among the other names of the Pacific Islands. There is so much to see in such a short time. After lunch, a seminar was conducted and we heard the Honorable Pat Schroeder, a very well known former Congresswoman from Colorado. At one time she championed the Nuclear Freeze movement in the United States. In the afternoon we went to visit the Newseum. This is an interesting and incredible place where modern technology is used at its best in delivering the news to the public. We have never seen such state of the art equipments and exhibits in the line of news casting! Also concrete walls from the Berlin Wall were brought here some years ago to be exhibited to the public. Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Again, the students went with their Program Instructors to visit various places around D.C., and have a photo session in front of the Capitol Hill while the teachers were offered to visit either the National Archives or the Basilica. Most of us islanders chose to visit the Basilica. This is an incredible and amazing church, and this is why they called it Basilica. It ranks among the top ones in the world, and a visit inside would really take your breath away! Lunch was served in an old place in Alexandria, Va. Again, a seminar was conducted and our speaker was Mr. Colman McCarthy, a very well known author and former contributor to the Washington Post. His speech on peace and poverty was outstanding. He also said that he teaches at a high school located seven blocks from the White House. Unfortunately, it is the poorest high school in the country! He does not understand why President Bush is giving a lot of money to schools thousands and thousands of miles away! At that moment, I felt kind of guilty and wished that I did not come on this trip. Wednesday, March 26, 2008. Again, we all went to visit the Capitol Hill and also the Room used by members of the Insular Affair Committee to conduct their hearings. This is the same room delegations from both Kwajalein Atoll and Rongelap Atoll testified their cases in front of Chairman Sieberling some twenty years ago. After a well prepared presentation by one of the key staff, the
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students, especially our students, were asked if they have any pressing issue that they would like to voice. Being intimidated by the large crowd in the room, our students could not say anything. What about the teachers? Dont you have anything to say? The staff asked. Well, I could not hold back my annoying feeling anymore. So, I slowly raised my hand and said, Yes Sir, I would like to ask a question. My name is Julian Riklon. Im from Kwajalein Atoll and I was wondering how long is the United States going to use Kwajalein Atoll for testing its long range missiles? The reason why Im asking this is because two weeks ago, about 80 plus Marshallese, among them are Kwajalein landowners, were laid off from their jobs on the base. Now these landowners do not have anywhere else to go to. They cannot find jobs anywhere else! Is the U.S. government planning to do anything for these jobless landowners? Needless to say that the question was not satisfactorily answered and embarrassment may have resulted! The highlight of the day was when we visited our Embassy and met Charles Paul and his wife and their secretary. They had prepared a hearty lunch for us and we compensated that with a few songs and some marmar and jerbal in ailin kein. We were sad to leave them, but it was time to go. Thursday, March 27, 2008. We got up early and after a quick breakfast we were on our way to Philadelphia, Pa. There were more than three hundred of us and we all rode seven big buses! We arrived in Philadelphia after four hours of riding. First, we visited the National Constitutional Center and then went by the Constitutional Hall where the U.S Constitution was signed in 1776. So much U.S. history here, but we must continue to our next destination of New York City. We arrived before night fall and went straight to Puglia Restaurant to have our dinner. The next stop was a visit to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Plaza, home of the NBC. Being on Top of the Rock, you can surely have a clear and beautiful view of the whole Manathan. After the long and tiring tour, we checked into Crown Plaza NY-Laguardia. Friday, March 28, 2008. After breakfast, we boarded our buses and started on our way to catch the ferry to Liberty and Ellis Island. It was very cool that morning! Again, the students were very excited and happy that they came to visit these historical and important places. In the afternoon, we went and visited the United Nations and as the evening approached, we went to Times Square to have dinner. Our tour came to its conclusion after we watched a play called, Legally Blond. Back in the hotel, we could hardly go to sleep because we were so excited thinking about our flight to go home tomorrow!

Saturday, March 29, 2008. Our Bus transfer to Newark International Airport left at around 9:30am. It is time to say, Goodbye Sam, Julia, Rachel, and two other PI (names???). Thank you for being our guides and friends. We like to invite you to our islands. Again, after long hours in the air, we arrived in
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Honolulu at around 6:20pm and proceeded to check in at Ohana Hotel/Honolulu Airport Hotel. Everyone was tired and didnt want to go anywhere. Sunday, March 30, 2008. Every one of us went shopping at Ala Moana and Wal Mart. Timius and I tried to obtain a letter of identification for Melvin Jakkein, who left his passport in the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, Washington D.C. Monday, March 31, 2008. We are excited and anxious to go home. Interestingly enough, each one of us first came with a suitcase, but now everyone is going home with two or more suitcases and carryon. Before I close this report, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Timius Anien and all of the Close Up 2008 students to express our deepest gratitude and sincere thank you to Minister Nitel Lorak, Secretary Biram Stagey, Mrs. Mabel LeSabbath Mote Andrew, Director of Close Up Foundation Program in the RMI, Ms. Norma Andrike, the Asst. Director, and all the other people who were involved in making the trip possible. Last, but not the least, I would like to thank the parents for putting their trust and confidence on Timius and myself to watch and care for their children on the long trip. I must say that we had a great time together. The trip was a success and the students enjoyed it very much, and Im sure they came back with greater knowledge and deeper understanding of the U.S history. Their interactions with other people and especially with other high school students from all around U.S. gave them an experience they will always remember and cherish. Finally, I would like to urge our Ministry to continue to take part in this Close up Foundation Program. I would, however, suggest that selection of the participants should be equal and fair to every high school, both Public and Private, in the Republic. Additionally, we would like to attach a CD of pictures which were taken throughout the whole trip. We believe in the saying that, A picture is worth thousands of words. The report was sent to Mrs. Mabel Andrew, the Close Up Coordinator, at MOE and was also put on file for future reference. I was thankful to have traveled with Timius Anien and those students. It is true that pictures are very important because they keep memories of certain times of our lives. They bring back memories. This is why I was very interested in helping our staff establishing our school yearbook, Amen Mejam, so that the students, teachers, staff, and friends of KAHS could browse through the pages and reminisce on the good old times. I would like to attach some excerpts from the messages I contributed to the yearbook over the years, and also a short but kind and humble message about me by Mrs. Lora Dalupan. Im always thankful for these kind words and I pray that I would continue to do my best in serving others in anyway I can. I thank the Lord for giving me the ability
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to do all these things I have been doing over the years. I will continue to praise and honor his name as long as I live in His beautiful and wonderful world.

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I cannot close this story without saying that the Lord has been good and kind to me and my family through the years. Im humble and thankful that he has given me 66 years to live a wonderful and happy life. I have met many, many wonderful and kind people along the way. But I would like to pay tribute particularly to four old men who helped and influenced me during my childhood years up to my teenage years. First was my grandfather, who taught me to respect my custom and culture. Second was Rev. Lemman, who taught me to always pray. I remember when two of us used to have morning devotion, noon devotion, and evening devotion, when he would ask the Lord to have his blessing on me. The other old man was Rev. Mwekto. I remember him for
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mending the bottom of my pants. During those days, I did not have many clothes, and I only had a few pants and shirts when I was with him. The last old man was Rev. Laiso. He did not care how young I was, but he begged and begged my parents to send me to that private school on Rongrong, then he accompanied me on the long trip until I was settled down in that school. So these were the old men who helped my parents and guided me during the early years of my life. Im thankful that I was a part of their lives. But above all, Im thankful for my family. I have been married to my beautiful and lovely wife Sholla for 40 years and have four children, two girls and two boys. The oldest daughter is Kalani, a beautiful Hawaiian name, a Queens name. The next daughter is Eleanor Roseann, whom we named after Miss Eleanor Wilson, a Missionary who spent so many years in the Marshall Islands sailing and skippering the Morning Star to witness and preached the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people throughout the islands. Miss Wilson was a good friend of mine who also helped me when I was in college. I visited her many times in Claremont, where she spent her retirement and her final years. I believe I was the last Marshallese to see her before she died. If the Lord permits, I would

Mae ien eo juon iarro enaj jako jen lol in! Only death will do us part!

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Like very much to pay my respect and visit her grave site in Boston. My oldest son is Elai Dally, and his name comes from the book of Samuel, one of the first books I translated in the Old Testament. Eli was the Priest who took care of Samuel when he was young. My second sons name is Simon, and he is named after the senior disciple of Jesus, Simon Peter. Both daughters are currently residing in Sacramento, California and the two sons are residing on Ebeye. They are all

Me, Simon, Roseann, Sholla

Sholla, Grandson Kekoa and myself

Rev. & Mrs. Lawson Matauto and me married and have children. My wife and I are blessed with 13 grandchildren, 10 boys and three girls, and it is always a blessing to have them around. Sholla and I are very happy and proud for our children and grandchildren. This is why we will never cease to sing praises and honor to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We would like other people to come to know that, The Lord is our Shepherd, we shall not want. His word is like a lamp to guide us and a light for our feet. He is our shelter and refuge in times of sorrow and despair. In him we find peace and joy. The last part of this story is about my call to the Ministry of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It first came to me thru Rev. Jude Samson, the late President of Jeran Radrik Dron, in 1973 right after coming back from college. Since I was asked by Rev. and Mrs. Elden Buck earlier to help on the
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Bible translation I could not say yes to Rev. Samson at that time. However, Rev. Samson asked me again just three months before he passed away and both Sholla and I said yes. So, in July 28, 2013, I joined six other young men and was ordained into the Ministry. Under Rev. Enja Enos, the new President of JRD, Im assigned to pastor the young Marshallese church in Sacramento, California. This is the church where my mother was one of the original members and founders. I look forward to work and share the Good News with the members there. Thank you so much for taking some of your valuable times to read this short story of my life. Please know that I have told the truth and nothing but the truth. May the Good Lord bless and keep you safe.

Kommol tata. Julian Riklon P.O. Box 5573 Ebeye, Marshall Islands 96970 Tel: 329-5891; Cell: 235-5471 Email: julianriklon@yahoo.com

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He was a youth of humble beginning, a lad full of yearning to know what was beyond his island that would mold him to be of great service to mankind. He was exposed to the outside world, anxious to know what the future would hold but very little English. Yet with determination he broke the language barrier, and learned English beyond compare; It equipped him to translate the English Bible into the tongue of the Marshallese people. In different capacities he has served his country this past seven and thirty; Since 2004 he has been principle of KAHSkind, humble, persevering, down-toearth a man he is.

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