On February 8, 2025, Dr. Robert Underwood presented videos of two distinguished Palau veterans of the US Armed Forces to the National Veterans History Project in Washington DC. The two videos are of Reklai Raphael Ngirmang, a retiree of the US Marine Corps and Ngirakidl Joseph Giramur, a retiree of the US Army. The Reklai is one of two high ranking chiefs in Palau and he is from Melekeok. The Ngirakidl is a chief from the island of Peleliu.
The Veteran’s History Project is part of the Library of Congress in Washington DC and is overseen by the Board of Trustees for the American Folklife Center. Underwood is a trustee. Receiving the documents at the Library of Congress is Monica Mohindra, the Director of the Veterans History Project. The interviews were conducted by Underwood in August 2024 in Koror, Palau. The tapes and technical assistance were provided by Ed Anastacio.
Underwood stated, “I am very happy to help facilitate the story of these two distinguished Palauan veterans of the US military. Their remarkable journey and continuing traditional role in Palauan society stands as proud testimony to the cultural resilience of the Palauan people.