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Vice President Alik L. Alik to attend Commissioning Ceremony in Hawaii

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): April 23, 2009 - The Honorable Vice President Alik L. Alik will represent the Federated States of Micronesia to the Change of Command Ceremony of Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate (Surface Warfare) Arthur S. Cornelius of Kosrae State, which is slated for May 01, 2009 at Lockwood Hall Lanai, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, at the invitation of the Commanding Officer of the Naval Station at Pearl Harbor and of Senior Chief Cornelius.

The commissioning ceremony is a reflection of the rich heritage and tradition of the Navy, and the ceremony will commission Senior Chief Cornelius as a Chief Warrant Officer Two - A Mustang. A Mustang is an officer who has come up through the enlisted ranks and earned their commission by merit and through sustained performance.

During the ceremony Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate (Surface Warfare) Arthur S. Cornelius, will receive the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Stat in lieu of second award) for his Meritorious Service as Port Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer in Pearl Harbor from February 2007 to May 2009.

While in Hawaii Vice President Alik will also have meetings with Admiral Keating, meet with the FSM Citizens serving in the US Armed Forces who are based in Hawaii, and tour some of the military sites. These meetings and visits will be coordinated by the FSM Consulate Office in Honolulu, Hawaii and with the assistance of the US Embassy in Pohnpei.