Wednesday, March 5, 2014
EDITOR, The Tribune.
Good Afternoon Tribune 242,
My name is Alonzo McDowell the grandson-in-law of C Alfred “Chief” Anderson. I ran across your article “Recognition Of Airman Bert Forsyth Is Long Overdue”. I agree, this honour is long overdue.
We have been conducting research about the Pan American Goodwill Flight looking to get as much factual information from people who can give photos, documentation, or stories about that timeframe. This information will be used to educate historians and the public about the importance of the “Chief” Anderson-Dr Forsythe flight. This piece of history has gone unrecognised for many years and does not get mentioned when people talk about “Chief Anderson”.
The Pan American flight in itself was a daunting excursion that proved blacks could fly internationally.
The C Alfred “Chief” Anderson Legacy Foundation seeks to tell the story of these two inspirational men as a piece of our travelling museum, Science Technology Engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programme in schools and colleges, documentary: CHIEF “A Grand Daughter’s Journey Through His-Story” and a long-awaited biography.
We are travelling around the country documenting Chief’s life in hopes to garner support for our non-profit and black aviation. The Pan American Goodwill Flight is one of the most amazing stories which has never been properly told.
We need your help identifying people in the Bahamas who would have known Chief Anderson and Dr Forsythe. We would like to learn more about how their flight and how it changed aviation history in the Bahamas. Establish a relationship with the country in hopes of promoting this amazing story abroad. Learn how this First Land Plane Flight affected the people and what was done in the aftermath to recognise this special event. In the future, we would love to visit the island to understand more about the country and its support of Dr Forsythe as an aviation pioneer.
If you could most please send this information and my contact information to the proper people, who can help with this request I would greatly appreciate it. I would like to end by letting you know that however we can help lobby for a Dr Forsythe Stamp, please let us know. The family is more than honored to help with this solicitation.
ALON ZO McDOWELL
Creative Director - C. Alfred “Chief” Anderson Foundation
www.chiefanderson.com
Facebook.com/candersonfoundation
Twitter: @_ChiefAnderson
Comments
Required says...
Forsyth and Anderson cannot have been the first pilots landing ON the island of New Providence, and it may also be inaccurate to call Oakes Field the first land airport.
On November 10th, 1934, The Tribune reports their arrival as follows: "Straight as a bullet came the bird of peace, the flyers displaying unusual navigation skill which was only to be equalled a minute later by what has been described as the most magnificent landing witnessed in Nassau on a difficult field which has been the scene of several catastrophes in the daylight."
The field was named Westward Villas Flying Field.
Surely, this is more than just a road, even if it may have also functioned as a road, it was obviously designated for aviation activity, and has clearly seen aircraft movements before that day.
Posted 7 March 2014, 12:47 p.m. Suggest removal
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