U.S. Embassy launches campaign delivering Rescuing JFK book to all Solomon Islands schools, honoring WWII history
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands Matt Murray joined Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development Permanent Secretary Dr. Franco Rodie, Seventh-day Adventist Church Solomon Islands Mission Secretary General Linray Tutuo, the Associate Education Director Esther Tasa, and Betikama teachers and students for the launch of the U.S. Embassy’s year-long campaign to provide every school in Solomon Islands a copy of the children’s book “Rescuing JFK: How Solomon Islanders Rescued John F. Kennedy and the Crew of the PT-109” at Betikama Adventist College on Thursday, April 16.
Betikama College Principal Bevan Tutuo welcomed the delegation to the school and led a tour of the school’s World War II museum after the ceremony, which kicked off with a warrior escort and rendition of Principal Tutuo’s song “Home Away from Home.”
Deputy Assistant Secretary Murray said in his remarks that this shared history is “a reminder that we are stronger together, when we work together in partnership, and the need to collaborate for safer and stronger communities.” He underscored the United States’ commitment to Solomon Islands’ prosperity, democracy, and sovereignty. Furthermore, the United States wants to partner with Solomon Islands for “greater safety, strength, and prosperity, to prepare our citizens for the new challenges we are confronting.” Deputy Assistant Secretary Murray’s personal reminiscences of the inspirational impact of President John F. Kennedy on his and his father’s life brought a notably human dimension to the official event. After the
ceremony, Church and college leaders guided the Deputy Assistant Secretary around the woodcarving workshop and fruit and vegetable garden to demonstrate how Betikama prepares its students for practical work after graduation.
Principal Secretary Rodie said highlighted the significance that Solomon Islander Anna Kwai co-authored “Rescuing JFK” and the importance of Solomon Islanders “increasingly becoming the writers and interpreters of our [Solomon Islands’] national narrative.” Dr. Rodie noted that history shapes identity, teaches values, and builds national pride. He connected this to understanding the profound role Solomon Islands played in world history, and urged Solomon Islanders to see history as more than “dates and places in textbooks” and “appreciate the courage, resilience, and humanity demonstrated by our [Solomon Islands] forefathers during one of the darkest periods in human history.”
U.S. Embassy Honiara arranged for a special edition printing of “Rescuing JFK,” which U.S. and Solomon Islander historians co-wrote to showcase the bravery and determination of two Solomon Islander Coastwatchers – Aaron Kumana and Biuku Gasa – who saved American lives and changed history. U.S. author Alan C. Elliott collaborated with Solomon Islands historian Anna A. Kwai and U.S. illustrator Evelyn Morgan to bring this book to fruition. The Embassy will henceforth distribute copies of this book to every school in Solomon Islands.
SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE
