2006.08.25: August 25, 2006: Headlines: COS - Micronesia: Country Directors - Micronesia: Pacific Magazine: Micronesia honors first Peace Corps Volunteers Country Director, John Pincetich
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2006.08.25: August 25, 2006: Headlines: COS - Micronesia: Saipan Tribune: Gov. Benigno R. Fitial recognizes John Pincetich, the first director of Peace Corps Micronesia, and the volunteers who have worked throughout the former Trust Territory :
2006.08.25: August 25, 2006: Headlines: COS - Micronesia: Country Directors - Micronesia: Pacific Magazine: Micronesia honors first Peace Corps Volunteers Country Director, John Pincetich
Micronesia honors first Peace Corps Volunteers Country Director, John Pincetich
Pincetich came to Saipan in the fall of 1966 when more than several hundred Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Micronesia for the first time. Micronesia at the time was under the U.S. Trust Territory administration before the islands all went their separate ways politically, beginning with the Northern Marianas in 1976.
Micronesia honors first Peace Corps Volunteers Country Director, John Pincetich
CNMI: Former Peace Corps Director, Volunteers Honored
Friday: August 25, 2006
By Frank S. Rosario, Pacific Magazine
Caption: Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez hand over a plaque of recognition to Peace Corp volunteers during yesterday's press conference at the governor's office in Capitol Hill. In photo are, from left, Steve Woodruff, Ann Jordan, Kurt Barnes, Chuck Jordan and Mike Malone. (Jacqueline Hernandez)
Micronesia’s first Peace Corps Volunteers country director, John Pincetich, was honored today at the Governor’s Office for his long and dedicated services to the organization when its headquarters was located on Saipan from 1966 until 1978.
Pincetich came to Saipan in the fall of 1966 when more than several hundred Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Micronesia for the first time. Micronesia at the time was under the U.S. Trust Territory administration before the islands all went their separate ways politically, beginning with the Northern Marianas in 1976.
Kurt Barnes, who came to Saipan with the third group in 1966, accepted the plaque presented by Governor Benigno R. Fitial and Lieutenant Governor Tim P. Villagomez. The plaque together with a joint legislative resolution will be sent to Pincetich in the U.S., who will be celebrating his 90th birthday September 14th.
“Being in a unique position of directing hundreds of outspoken sixties-era volunteers in a place under the American flag required John to use all his skills of diplomacy,” Fitial said of Pincetich. “He was a great friend of our people as well as of the many Peace Corps Volunteers that he influenced.”
As for Barnes, he came to Saipan as a physical education instructor and stayed on Saipan except for the time he spent in Palau as an instructor at the Palau Community College for four years and another four years in California working toward his doctorate degree.
“I love it here on Saipan and love the people,” Barnes said.
Chuck Jordan served in the Peace Corp in Ulithi Atoll in Yap state, from 1974-76. An architect by education, Jordan worked in the Planning Office in Yap before moving to Saipan in 1981 to work for the Trust Territory Government. His wife Ann was an English teacher in Ulithi. Both are currently in private business.
Steve Woodruff was in the last group of Peace Corps Volunteers on Saipan from 1974-76 when the Northern Marianas became a Commonwealth. He worked assisting the Village Commissioners before becoming an English teacher at Mt. Carmel High School. He eventually became an attorney and is now in private practice.
Mike Malone, who currently works at the Saipan Mayor’s office, came to Majuro, Marshall Islands in 1969 as an English and Journalism teacher before opening the first weekly newspaper there which eventually became the Marshall Islands Journal. In 1970, he was transferred to Saipan and started the first weekly newspaper, the Marianas Star, which became what is now the Marianas Variety. Malone also started the Commonwealth Examiner, which changed its name to Saipan Tribune when ownership changed in the early 1990s.
President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship. More than 182,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 138 countries all over the globe.
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Story Source: Pacific Magazine
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Micronesia; Country Directors - Micronesia
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