For you

By MICHELLE EVOA

 

Stars in the dark night sky

That we sat out under plotted.

Your eyes sparked

Gentle brush of your hand

Made me quiver

Our shoulders rubbed.

Warmth of your company

So overwhelming,

How I wished the

Night wouldn’t end.

 

I’m sitting beside you,

Listening to you talk

This is the closest

We have ever been.

We’re so at ease

This one meeting, was beyond us

 

I stole a glance

Your eyes shot right through me

You are so firm,

And yet so elegantly dark

And mysterious by nature.

I struck a chord,

What we feel is mutual.

 

That kiss you planted

As we talked

Melted my guard

And left me breathless

Without a doubt, you were

The stronger, collected one,

Always distant, somewhat lurking

That charisma of you

As if underlying

Always drew me to you.

 

I looked again at the stars

In the dark night sky

To how they had plotted now;

When you pulled me to you

As if to tell me

My Dark Knight

Was really, always here

So close, and yet

So longingly far.

'Born to be a soldier'

Caption: Granger Michael graduating as a US Marine Corps

 

Granger Michael, the 25-year-old Papua New Guinean who was last Friday welcomed by US president Barack Obama at the White House as a citizen of the USA as well as a US Marine Corps serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad, always displayed an interest in things military, according to father Graham Michael.

Mr Michael, a former Washington DC-based PNG diplomat whose father is from Dugulaba village on Manam Island in Madang province and mother from Pila Pila village in East New Britain province, is married to Celine from Guava-Dapera village at Panguna, Bougainville.

 “We arrived in Washington DC on post in mid October 1997 when Granger was just 11 and a half years old,” his father recalled today.

“Throughout his upbringing, while on post, he was very interested in all things military and that includes guns, tanks, airplanes and all sorts of military equipment.

“By age 13, his interest peaked and he decided to join the US Air Force's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at his school - Woodrow Wilson High.

 “After his year 12 graduation, he joined the US Marine Corps as a fresh recruit at the Marine Corps training depot at Parris Island, South Carolina.

“The 13-weeklong training in combat warfare is the longest in any US military basic training and he eventually graduated with flying colours in mid 2004.

“After graduation he was transferred to his first unit at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

“Camp Lejuene is the home of the ‘Marine Expeditionary Forces in Readiness’, the largest Marine installation in the east coast of US with over 40,000 Marines prepared for war deployment at short notice.”

 Mr Michael said from there, his son was sent to Iraq on his first combat tour in late 2004.

“After six months deployment, he returned to Camp Lejeune and was again prepared for redeployment,” he said,

“He was deployed in Iraq in late 2006 for another six months stint.

“His third battle deployment was from mid 2007 to early 2008.

“Throughout his three tours of duty, Corporal Granger was an infantry team leader with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion,8th Marines.

“He served in Fallujah, Ramadi and other theaters where his Company was attacked multiple times by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“Today, he remains in active duty and is assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, DC as squad leader.”

Granger’s 23-year-old brother Leon S Michael, second born after him, is also serving in the US Armed Services as an electrical engineering specialist with the US Air Force.

 He is currently attached to the engineering division at Travis Air Force Base near San Jose, California.

Pictures of Papua New Guinea youngster becoming US citizen, Marine Corps

Captions: 1. President Obama addresses USA’s newest citizens at the Rose Garden at the White House last Friday.2.  Papua New Guinea-born US Marine Corp Granger Michael (brown shirt) at last Friday’s naturalisation ceremony at the White House.3.  US President Barack Obama addresses the naturalisation ceremony at the White House last Friday.4. President Obama steps out of the White House for the naturalisation ceremony.5. Papua New Guinean Granger Michael and others take the oath before President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano at the White House last Friday.6. President Obama addresses the USA’s newest citizens7.  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano addresses the naturalisation ceremony

 

 

Papua New Guinean Granger Michael was last Friday welcomed by US President Barack Obama at the White House as a citizen of the USA as well as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad.

Proud parents, Graham and Celine Michael, said at the weekend that their eldest son, Granger, and PNG, were specifically mentioned by President Obama during the ceremony.

Mr Michael is a former PNG diplomat at the PNG Embassy in Washington DC.

President Obama spoke at a naturalisation ceremony for 24 members of the US Forces.

The ceremony recognises the contributions made by immigrant members of the US armed forces who have earned their American citizenship through service to the country, and the contributions immigrants from all walks of life have made to the US throughout its history.

President Obama commended all 24 men and women for choosing to become US citizens and named PNG and Granger Michael in his address.

“And it’s the patriotism of a young man from Papua New Guinea, who joined the United States Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq -  not once, not twice, but three times,” he said to much applause.

“Asked why he would choose to become an American citizen, he said simply, ‘I might as well.  I love this country already’.

“And so we congratulate Granger Michael.”

Pres Obama commended the parents, who he said “were willing to say good-bye to their own families, their own countries, so they could have an opportunity to give you the opportunity you never had”. 

“Like generations of immigrants before them, they worked hard,” he said.

“They scrimped and they saved. 

“They deferred their own dreams so that you could realise yours. 

“So today is a tribute to their sacrifices as well. 

“And I would ask that you join me in honoring your moms and dads and the families that helped bring you to this day.”

Both video and transcript of President Obama’s speech are available online, the video at http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/naturalization-ceremony-us-service-members and transcript at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-naturalization-ceremony-active-duty-service-members

“As you will note from the video, our eldest son, Granger L Michael, and Papua New Guinea, were specifically mentioned by the president of the United States of America, Barack H Obama during the ceremony,” the parents said in an email.

“We are so proud of his accomplishments first as our son, second as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad, and finally as family and friend to so many of you.

 “We hope you join us on this occassion to mark another milestone in Granger's blessed journey through life.”

Pictures of Papua New Guinea youngster becoming US citizen, Marine Corps

Captions: 1. President Obama addresses USA’s newest citizens at the Rose Garden at the White House last Friday.2.  Papua New Guinea-born US Marine Corp Granger Michael (brown shirt) at last Friday’s naturalisation ceremony at the White House.3.  US President Barack Obama addresses the naturalisation ceremony at the White House last Friday.4. President Obama steps out of the White House for the naturalisation ceremony.5. Papua New Guinean Granger Michael and others take the oath before President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano at the White House last Friday.6. President Obama addresses the USA’s newest citizens7.  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano addresses the naturalisation ceremony

 

 

Papua New Guinean Granger Michael was last Friday welcomed by US President Barack Obama at the White House as a citizen of the USA as well as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad.

Proud parents, Graham and Celine Michael, said at the weekend that their eldest son, Granger, and PNG, were specifically mentioned by President Obama during the ceremony.

Mr Michael is a former PNG diplomat at the PNG Embassy in Washington DC.

President Obama spoke at a naturalisation ceremony for 24 members of the US Forces.

The ceremony recognises the contributions made by immigrant members of the US armed forces who have earned their American citizenship through service to the country, and the contributions immigrants from all walks of life have made to the US throughout its history.

President Obama commended all 24 men and women for choosing to become US citizens and named PNG and Granger Michael in his address.

“And it’s the patriotism of a young man from Papua New Guinea, who joined the United States Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq -  not once, not twice, but three times,” he said to much applause.

“Asked why he would choose to become an American citizen, he said simply, ‘I might as well.  I love this country already’.

“And so we congratulate Granger Michael.”

Pres Obama commended the parents, who he said “were willing to say good-bye to their own families, their own countries, so they could have an opportunity to give you the opportunity you never had”. 

“Like generations of immigrants before them, they worked hard,” he said.

“They scrimped and they saved. 

“They deferred their own dreams so that you could realise yours. 

“So today is a tribute to their sacrifices as well. 

“And I would ask that you join me in honoring your moms and dads and the families that helped bring you to this day.”

Both video and transcript of President Obama’s speech are available online, the video at http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/naturalization-ceremony-us-service-members and transcript at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-naturalization-ceremony-active-duty-service-members

“As you will note from the video, our eldest son, Granger L Michael, and Papua New Guinea, were specifically mentioned by the president of the United States of America, Barack H Obama during the ceremony,” the parents said in an email.

“We are so proud of his accomplishments first as our son, second as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad, and finally as family and friend to so many of you.

 “We hope you join us on this occassion to mark another milestone in Granger's blessed journey through life.”

Online access now available for Datec customers

Caption: Datec CEO Bhanu Sud (left) and ANZ head of retail in PNG MKV Nair seal the deal with a handshake

Tomorrow - Monday, April 26, 2010 - marks a major milestone for the retail business industry in Papua New Guinea, with the official launch of the Datec Learning Centers (DLC) online registration system, which also offers customers convenient online payment options.

"With the launch of this service, we can now provide online information on all our training products and their schedules," said Datec chief executive officer Bhanu Sud.

"Customers can also register for courses and make secure and immediate payment through credit cards.

"This service is designed for speed, convenience and security and will enable our DLC's to provide superior services to our customers."

Online retail has become a major source of revenue for businesses globally and customers can be assured quality of service and security of their transactions with the launch of this service.

Datec customers will also be able to pay online in their currency of choice, through a new product, ANZ eGateä, launched today by ANZ, using Datec as a pilot.

ANZ eGateä is a secure electronic payment gateway that allows merchants to securely accept and process online customer payments by credit card and gives customers the option of paying in their preferred currency.

ANZ head of retail in PNG MKV Nair said: "This product is in direct response to feedback from ANZ business customers who said they wanted to give consumers the option of paying for goods or services online using their currency of choice.

"It's ideal for businesses of any size that are looking to accept credit card payments online."

Explaining the concept further, Mr Sud said: "The DLC and ANZ systems have inbuilt security features to ensure all credit card transactions made for the DLC are fully secure."

The technology behind this has been jointly developed and verified by ANZ and Datec.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Datec to develop more financial and business products to the market," Mr Nair said.

"We believe the introduction of online payments for goods and services for customers while using their currency of choice will have a significant impact on the PNG retail industry."

Papua New Guinea youngster becomes US citizen, Marine Corps

Papua New Guinean Granger Michael was last Friday welcomed by US President Barack Obama at the White House as a citizen of the USA as well as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad.

Proud parents, Graham and Celine Michael, said at the weekend that their eldest son, Granger, and PNG, were specifically mentioned by President Obama during the ceremony.

Mr Michael is a former PNG diplomat at the PNG Embassy in Washington DC.

President Obama spoke at a naturalisation ceremony for 24 members of the US Forces.

The ceremony recognises the contributions made by immigrant members of the US armed forces who have earned their American citizenship through service to the country, and the contributions immigrants from all walks of life have made to the US throughout its history.

President Obama commended all 24 men and women for choosing to become US citizens and named PNG and Granger Michael in his address.

“And it’s the patriotism of a young man from Papua New Guinea, who joined the United States Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq -  not once, not twice, but three times,” he said to much applause.

“Asked why he would choose to become an American citizen, he said simply, ‘I might as well.  I love this country already’.

“And so we congratulate Granger Michael.”

Pres Obama commended the parents, who he said “were willing to say good-bye to their own families, their own countries, so they could have an opportunity to give you the opportunity you never had”. 

“Like generations of immigrants before them, they worked hard,” he said.

“They scrimped and they saved. 

“They deferred their own dreams so that you could realise yours. 

“So today is a tribute to their sacrifices as well. 

“And I would ask that you join me in honoring your moms and dads and the families that helped bring you to this day.”

Both video and transcript of President Obama’s speech are available online, the video at http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/naturalization-ceremony-us-service-members and transcript at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-naturalization-ceremony-active-duty-service-members

“As you will note from the video, our eldest son, Granger L Michael, and Papua New Guinea, were specifically mentioned by the president of the United States of America, Barack H Obama during the ceremony,” the parents said in an email.

“We are so proud of his accomplishments first as our son, second as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad, and finally as family and friend to so many of you.

 “We hope you join us on this occasion to mark another milestone in Granger's blessed journey through life.”

Drought and climate change to be focus of NARI show

The National Agricultural Research Institute is preparing the annual Agricultural Innovations Show for 2010 to be staged at its Sir Alkan Tololo Research Centre at Bubia, Morobe province, on Wednesday, May 5, 2010

This will be the fourth year of this ‘information exchange and knowledge sharing’ event in which partner and collaborating organisations in agricultural and rural development will be invited to display and exhibit their innovations and improved technologies and interact with farmers and the general public.

Over the past four years, NARI has been spearheading a campaign to prepare Papua New Guinea for recurring periods of prolonged drought linked to changes in the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

 In recognition of the urgent need to prepare PNG for such a scenario, the theme of NARI’s innovation show this year is: “Preparing PNG for Drought and Climate Change”.

As an integral component of the event, NARI is also hosting a major stakeholder forum under the banner: “Preparing PNG for Drought”.

This aim of this forum is to raise awareness on drought nationally and to debate how best to prepare rural communities for drought conditions.

NARI is inviting representatives from all the major international and national aid agencies and government institutions concerned with food and agriculture, environment and water security issues in PNG.

 Local non-government organisations, churches, community-based organisations and rural farming communities will also be invited to participate in this forum.

“The Government of PNG has recently committed public investment programme (PIP) funding to support NARI in a major project entitled: ‘Preparing rural communities for frequent and prolonged El Niño-induced drought events,” according to NARI director-general Dr Raghunath Ghodake.

 “This project will be launched during the stakeholder forum by the Chief Secretary to the PNG Government, Mr Manusupe Zurenuoc.

“Forum participants will be informed about the project aims, scope of operation and partnering arrangements, and opportunity will be given for feedback and comment on these matters.

“Presentations from other organisations will cover important issues of food distribution networks, clean water provision, and epidemic disease control, in the run-up to a severe drought event, and the forum will explore and debate these matters also.

“We believe that this forum will be an important milestone along the road to secure lives and livelihoods in PNG against a backdrop of increased climate change-related disasters both here and within the wider Pacific region.”