WWII veteran, teacher honored in ceremony at Peleliu, Palau

With the sound of taps filling the air, the ashes of a World War II veteran and Bethania High School teacher Evan E. Palmer were released on the waters off Orange Beach in Peleliu, Palau.

The educator's daughter, Claire L. Palmer, as well as his adopted children, Wright Kuartei, Linda Subris and LImasang Recheked Tem, stood knee-deep in water and said their goodbyes as his ashes floated on the outgoing tide. Behind them, friends and family showered flowers on the ocean to join the ashes. The ceremony, held Jan. 18, honored Palmer’s legacy.

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Claire Palmer, said his time in the Navy left an indelible mark and she remembers growing up on their farm and him sharing tales of beauty of Palau. She said it was during his years teaching that he gained a new family of adopted children and grandchildren.  

The gathering was not only a celebration of his life but also a testament to the bonds he had forged with the people of Palau.

Evan Palmer's journey began in 1944 when he landed on Orange Beach during World War II. His mission was to assist in building a hospital for injured U.S. service members. The beauty and spirit of Palau captured his heart, according to his daughter Claire Palmer. After serving for several years, he returned to the U.S. mainland but never forgot the islands.

In the late 1970s, driven by a desire to give back to the community that had meant so much to him, Palmer returned to Palau as a missionary teacher at Bethania High School, an all-girls Christian institution in Ngaraard. For over five years, he imparted knowledge and values to his students, becoming a beloved father figure in their lives.

The event was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including his adopted Palauan family, U.S. Marines and sailors, local government representatives, and high school alumni. mbj