Posted on 05/24/2003 7:15:14 AM PDT by gunnyg
Here is an e-mail I received from the webmaster, 1st Marine Division Associaion, involving the name of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, named after a KIA Marine just prior to that great battle of the Corps and WW II.
This is Emmett Web Master of the 1st Marine Division Association, and 1st battalion 3rd Marines 1964-75 Passing this on.
Gentlemen: Your support in preventing a gross injustice to an important part of our Corps' heritage is very much needed. The action you chose to take is entirely up to you and any such will be appreciated.
Semper Fidelis
Ashley W. "Bill" Fisher
Henderson Field
Is a name change a good idea?
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation has just released a bulletin stating that Henderson Field is shortly to have a name change.
It is reported that a Japanese consulting firm has suggested to the Solomon Island Government that the name be changed to Honiara Airport.
In its investigations did the Japanese seek advice from Solomon Islanders as to how they felt about a name change?
More than seven thousand Solomon Islanders, Americans, New Zealanders, Fijians and Australians died during World War II fighting for Henderson Field and Guadalcanal. Thousands of others survived the fighting but still remember the shared hardship and triumph that is represented by the name “Henderson Field”.
The name Henderson is one steeped in history and emotion. It is the most famous airfield name in the Pacific. Any change means that the Solomons is casting away that historic name and paying insufficient attention to the international emotions that the name Henderson evokes.
Before the Japanese recommendations were made did the Japanese ask the families of heroes such as Solomon Islander Sir Jacob Vouza and Bill Bennet or Sir Gideon Zoloveke and other Solomon Island veterans how they feel about a name change?
To change the name will inevitably run the risk of offending many international friends, especially the Americans. In this crazy world we need more friends not less friends. I would want the Americans on my side any day!
The argument for a name change may have been suggested for a perceived financial benefit, but it is not clear how this would evolve. It is hard however to imagine any more visitors coming to the Solomons because of a name change. More visitors will be the result of better marketing of Solomon Island activities and places, not a name change.
Vanuatu has retained the name Bauerfield as its airport, after a pilot who also flew from Henderson. Their recent airport upgrade was also Japanese funded but it was not felt that therefore a name change was necessary.
Still in our region New Guinea has Jackson Field also named after a WWII pilot. All around the world airports are named after famous people or fliers. In not one case has any change been made to these names.
It is noted that the Japanese are going to assist in the further development of the airfield and its surrounds. Surely the suggested name change has not been linked to Japanese aid money? The Americans will be impressed! The Japanese economy owes its growth to its American trade and military protection.
The Solomon Islands is a sovereign country and will make up its own mind about a name change. It would be most unwise for the Japanese to put pressure however subtle or otherwise on the government!
The Government has more than enough financial troubles as it is. To change the name is going to cost a significant amount of money. There must be more pressing problems for the government to spend the money on.
It is not a name that only belongs to the past. A search today on the Internet brought up 8,770 current articles about Henderson Field. The name Henderson is a significant tourism related asset that can be cultivated. It was only last August that the name Henderson brought more than two hundred visitors from the US.
We also had US F18 fighter planes landing and flying over in salute of Henderson Field.
There are about another two hundred US visitors coming over this August. Many of these are going on the Kennedy Island for the PT109 60th Anniversary swim. Are we shortly to change the name of Kennedy Island to something ‘more neutral’?
It is a fact that the Americans are looking at what they can do to assist the Solomons in preserving the history and the surrounding historic sites such as Bloody Ridge. They wish to encourage more US and overseas visitors to the Solomons. A name change might even discourage these initiatives.
The name Henderson should be retained for a number of reasons. If for no other reason that it attracts badly needed tourists. At the very least the opinions of all Solomon Islanders should be considered before a name change occurs.
Our overseas veterans friends and allies have heard about this proposed name change. In fact the news has reached the highest political and military levels. Despite their immense disappointment they are aware that it is entirely a Solomon Island Government decision and can only watch in disappointment.
It is up to Solomon Islanders to win this fight on their behalf.
Tourism Action Group
May 2003
BUMP FOR FREEDOM AND FOR THOSE THAT PROVIDED IT THEN AND NOW!
This will fall into his hands...he may just have some clout, since he's the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts to secure Henderson Field.
The Japanese didn't honor fallen heroes in that way.
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