P-MAN II - 15
VII: Appreciation and Thanks:
As with all prior expeditions, many people made the P-MAN II expedition successful. The other team members, Chip Lambert, Pam Lambert, Reid Joyce and Greg Kovacs, all made major contributions, before, during and after the expedition. Chip's research into shipwrecks revealed three previously undescribed ship debris fields; as well he supplied immeasurable technical expertise concerning scuba diving and underwater photography. Pam Lambert videoed much of the four hours of tape from this trip; her sharp eyes caught the one site at the jungle HQ which CILHI will probably want to investigate later this year. Greg had perhaps the most thankless job of the expedition, that of setting up, maintaining and interpreting the magnetometer. Reid assisted Greg with the magnetometer but Reid's biggest role occurred after he returned home - that of setting up the recently-launched web site describing and summarizing eight years of work (www.bentprop.org). Reid has also introduced some of us to computer-based photointerpretation, for which we are grateful. All of us contributed photographs taken on the expedition, which ensures the permanent record of this expedition. Perhaps most notable about this team is that, in spite of spending every day either on a small boat or in dense jungle settings, we worked well as a team, without exception, throughout the entire expedition.
Joe Maldangesang, our boat guide from Neco Marine, made sure the boat was ready every day, often researched local leads, made important contacts, and regaled the team with his amazing Palauan ghost stories during long surface intervals after dives. Jan and Bert Yates, and the rest of the Neco Marine staff were more than courteous to us. We felt more like family and were treated as such. Mandy and Shallum Etpison continue to open their home to us, year after year, and have helped enormously both by obtaining directly relevant information, as well as sharing new contacts. Surangel Whipps, in a similar manner, has also continued to assist our efforts, even during his busy senatorial campaign. The participation of both Surangel and Shallum in our interaction with the Ngatpang chiefs, with certainty, opened otherwise difficult-to-open doors. Ngatpang's executive Director, Gilbert Demei, acted without delay in setting up our meeting with the chiefs.
Professor Don Shuster and his wife, Wakako, deserve a special category of thanks. Everyday he was in Palau, Don made a point, after each long day in the jungles of Babeldaob, of updating us and keeping us in the loop with CILHI. Don Shuster's contributions began several months before the expedition and he and his wife continue to work with me on the missing American airmen to this day. I only hope I can find a way to thank both of them some day for all they have done.
Rick Houston and his CIHI team also deserve special attention. The noble goals of this and every CILHI search and recovery team are to return home the remains of America's missing fallen warriors. CILHI is an organization which gets little thanks, has too much to do, must get it done on a shoestring budget - and all of it is expected yesterday. The entire P-MAN team salutes their efforts, especially since they do it with such obvious love of their jobs, regardless of obstacles.
I also must mention my profound and loving thanks to my family - their unconditional support has made my efforts not only doable but also freed me up to enjoy all of it at the same time. My wife, Susan, has encouraged my involvement, not only on this expedition but also year round for the past eight years.
I must also thank all the folks at my company, XOMA, who help me, both directly and indirectly all year long.
Finally I want to thank the Explorers
Club for their continued understanding and support.
