[gunnyg]

Subject: 1st Marine Division Association

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

[gunnyg]

Responses from the Sgt Grit board...
http://www.grunt.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3316
http://www.grunt.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3316

[archy]

Freeper Canteen FYI ping.

[gunnyg]

Responses from the...
Tarawa Talk Forum...
http://disc.server.com/Indices/149620.html
http://disc.server.com/Indices/149620.html

[archy]

Freeper veterans ping!

[RaceBannon]

Marine Bump

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Major Lofton R. Henderson CO VMSB-241 KIA Battle of Midway 4 June 1942

[John H K]

My impression is that conditions on Guadalcanal have completely broken down into tribal anarchy and warfare in the last few months, so probably the last thing on their minds is changing the name of the airport.

[DeaconBenjamin]

I would be sorry to see this name change, but one of the reasons these heroic Marines fought and died was to protect our freedom, and to obtain freedom for the Solomon Islanders (among others). This includes the freedom to name their airports whatever they wish. Certainly I think Americans should convey their unhappiness with any such decision, and boycotts, etc., would certainly be appropriate if necessary, but it is their airport. Of course, we would not be having this discussion if the Japanese had retained control of Guadalcanal, and named their airport after one of their military heroes.

[judicial meanz]

Count me in Gunny.

[henderson field]

I just returned from the cemetery where I helped my American Legion Post to place flags at the graves of U.S. veterans. Many of these soldiers served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations in World War II. In other words, they were killed by the Japanese. Henderson Field has already been paid for, by these gallant men, men better than the Japanese, who now come with their whitewash to eradicate their own disgraceful past. The Japanese have been in a state of denial about their own behavior during the war and this is evidence that nothing has changed. That's the moral side of it. Now as to the business side of it, changing the name of Henderson Field will not increase tourism, it will decrease tourism by reducing the strength of character of the attraction, and making cultural mush out of it. This is said from the standpoint of one who spent many years in tourism marketing and advertising with accomplishments far beyond those of the amateur promoters who think than by taking money from the Japanese PR machine they can somehow improve the tourist experience, as if that is important in the total scheme of things, at a place that should forever remain in memory.

[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

[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



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