Remember Henderson Field, Guadalcanal!

Gunny G's Old Salt Marines Tavern (Interactive) ^ | 5/23/03 | Dick Gaines

[blackie]

Memorial Day ... Bump ... For Our Lost Heros!

Lest We Forget!

[archy]

Little Boy: Hiroshima, 06 August,1945
Fat Man: Nagasaki, 09 August, 1945....

Henderson Field: Tokyo, August 2003? or '04?

Do they REALLY want a little reminder?

-archy-/-

[Sparta]

ping

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the Ping Sparta.

No name change!!

[ExSoldier]

My wife's dad (my father-in-law) fought there as a marine aviator. He's having his 80th birthday party this summer. I'm almost afraid to tell him about this...it might cause his already frail heath to worsen.

[ErnBatavia]

Bump for a great read! Semper Fi.

[Nitro]

Link to US Marines!

Without the Navy the Marines are just the Army...

but without the Marines the Navy is just the Coast Guard!!

We help each other be the killers we are!!

[Nitro]

No, I tried to be kind but...

The US Navy is the best!!

Always was, always will be!!

[gunnyg]

" KENDRICK No, I like all you Navy boys. Every time we've gotta go someplace and fight, you fellas always give us a ride."

Ref
A Few Good Men!

[Nitro]

My father was a Marine...

but he left us flat...

he was a Korea Marine...

I joined the Navy!

[gunnyg]

PETITION
From Peter Flahavin
peterflah@netscape.net.au

-----Original Message----- From: Justin Taylan [mailto:justin@wanpela.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 11:30 AM To: Peter Flahavin Cc: Creacy, Bob

Subject: petition to prevent name change of "Henderson Field" Peter & Bob,

In response to the news that there was some consideration of a name change to "henderson field" have started this simple petition.. feel free to "sign" and forward around to your contacts... here is the URL.

http://www.petitiononline.com/guad/petition.html

And, encourage people to leave comments, like " Vet of 1st Marines, served on Guad", 1942-43, etc. That helps too.

I spoke with John Innes, he says, the Prime Minister is against it, and another minister overstepped their bounds for suggesting it in a think-tank, but still there is urgency for us to get a lot of USMC vets and others interested in this issue to sign on, so as to nip this in the bud for now, and the future... although petitions don't 'do' anything per say, it will still be a powerful statement, and we will make sure that those who could make such a change get this petition....

- Justin

[gunnyg]

ADDENDUM

he Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com


New fight brews over Guadalcanal
By Audrey Hudson
Published June 11, 2003



    A proposal to rename Henderson Field on Guadalcanal after
Japan's national flower — the chrysanthemum — has angered Marines,
who say the "revisionist history" dishonors Americans who fought and
died for the pivotal airfield.
    Guadalcanal, part of the Solomon Islands, was the site of the
Allies' first Pacific offensive during World War II. After taking the
island from the Japanese in 1942, the 1st Marine Division completed
construction of what is now an international airport for the Solomon
Islands.
    The Marines named the airstrip for Maj. Lofton Henderson, the
first Marine pilot killed in action by the Japanese during the historic
Battle of Midway.
    A consultant group from Japan, hired by the Solomon Islands'
government, has proposed that the name be changed to one symbolizing
their country. The consultants are working on restoration projects to
make runway and terminal repairs at the airport, which is frequented by
Japanese tourists, according to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corp.
    The consultants say a more contemporary and recognizable name is
needed.
    However, more than 5,000 Marines and supporters disagree. Led by
the U.S. Marine Raider Association, they have signed a petition to the
Solomon Islands' government protesting the name change.
    "Anything that is changed after 60 years to promote commercial
enterprise or false national pride is revisionist history," said Dr.
Ervin Kaplan, veteran of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion.
    "They lost the war. We turned them all the way back to Tokyo,"
Dr. Kaplan said. "They didn't win the war, and they shouldn't rename it
after their national flower."
    The petition was sent to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who
also is being lobbied by members of the Marine Raider Association. Dr.
Kaplan said it appears that Mr. Sogavare may oppose the name change.
    "The idea that the airport's name would be changed would
dishonor both the Allies who served there, and the Japanese who fought
on the island, as it would strip the historical heritage of this
important name for future generations of Solomon Islanders, and
travelers who arrive and depart the country," the petition said.
    "The airfield is synonymous with sacrifice and was arguably one
of the most pivotal airfields in the entire Pacific Campaign, and
possibly all of WWII, as its fall would have compromised the shipping
lanes to Australia and was vital as America's first offensive in the
Pacific," it said.
    The Japanese fought U.S. occupation of the island for six
months, and more than 2,000 Americans were killed. Occupation of the
airstrip gave the Allies military dominance throughout the Pacific
during the war and marked the turnabout of the Japanese advance.
    The island today is independently governed and suffering
economic hardships, and the consultants suggest changing the name might
boost tourism and development.
    "It won't help commerce in the islands, it won't do a thing for
them. In fact, it would be a negative factor," Dr. Kaplan said.
   Â



Copyright © 2003 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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