Kwajalein, Marshall Islands

                                              So just where is Kwajalein?

From North M

From North Manchester, Indiana USA,

the island of Kwajalein is on the other side of the International Dateline!  It is just 700 miles north of the equator, keeping the temperature at 85 degrees year round.

Arriving there puts Stanley a day ahead and 7 hours behind.

is on the other side of the International Dateline!  It is just 700 miles north of                       

What's an ATOLL?

An atoll is a group of coral islands enclosing a lagoon. Situated in the Kwajalein atoll are approximately 100 small islands. Kwajalein is the name of the atoll and also one of the islands in that atoll.

Kwajalein Island, where Stanley is, is the largest island in the atoll, but still only 3/4 of a mile wide and 3.5 miles long. It is a US Army installation and approximately 1,600 people live on island. Occupations include military personnel, military support contractors, educators, and island safety and security.

What a wonderful beach!  Since Kwaj is a small island, one can see water from just about anywhere on the island.  The Pacific Ocean is on one shore and the lagoon on the other.  The round looking building is new for the island.  It is one of many married housing units.
The American flag being hoisted next to the flag of the Marshall Islands.
Radar domes are a common sight on island.

Manchester photos

Stanley had a wonderful time in North Manchester. He was here in the winter months, so outdoor snow activities, snug family room story time, barnyard chores and following the high school girl's basketball team on the bus were part of his stay here.

Let's begin Stanley's story with an introduction of his home town.

The area of the midwestern United States known today as North Manchester, Indiana, began as home to the Potawatomi Indian tribe when they settled near the Kenapocomoco River in 1750. The first Caucasian child was born in the same area in 1837.

The town now has a population of approximately 6,000 residents within a 3 square mile area.

North Manchester has been named "Small Town USA" by ABC's Good Morning America. It offers a victorian village appearance filled with historic homes and quaint shops. North Manchester is also home to nationally recognized Manchester College and is the birthplace of US Vice President Thomas Marshall. People living here enjoy a superior public school system, two excellent retirement facilities, a symphony orchestra and churches of varied religions.