Search results

[Serviceman with military vehicle]

[Elmer A. Ball sitting outside building]

[Sheet metal shop at U.S. Navy base]

[Elmer A. Ball in doorway]

[North American P-51 Mustang]

[Elmer A. Ball with human skull]

[Beachside military camp]

[Assignment: 48-DPA-SOI_K_Saipan_6-5-07] Pacific Islands Tour: Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne [and aides] to Saipan Island, of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands [48-DPA-SOI_K_Saipan_6-5-07__DI10673.JPG]

World War II – Saipan

When Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan in August of 2015, it affected more than just its human residents--the Saipan Zoo was also heavily impacted. None of the animals were hurt, but the facilities were damaged, and because the zoo is a private, for-profit organization, it was not eligible for FEMA assistance. Forced to close the zoo for safety reasons, owner Frank Aldan set up a GoFundMe account on Facebook to seek additional funds to make the necessary repairs. Through this effort, several of our team members found out about Frank's dilemma and volunteered their time to help him reopen the zoo. Since mid-August, FEMA volunteers have spent their Saturdays clearing debris, cutting trees and providing food to help the zoo recover. One of the largest trees on the island was on the zoo's property, and the typhoon blew it over. The tree was so big that volunteers from our staff spent over four weeks cutting it into manageable pieces. Here, Ryan Brown works on a large segment of the tree.

On the Red-Stained Sands of Saipan

Saipan class, large aircraft carrier