United States: United States Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, arrived in Honiara this afternoon en route to Gizo, Western Province. Ambassador Kennedy will be in the Western Province during the next few days to honour the 80th Anniversary of the sinking of the PT109 torpedo boat.
The PT109 was captained by John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who would go on to become the 35th President of the United States of America.
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy is the only surviving child of the late President.
Ambassador Kennedy is accompanied on this trip by her son, Jack Schlossberg and other U.S Officials. A number of events will be held to commemorate the occasion, including the laying of wreaths at the location of the PT109 and presentations by living relatives of Biuku Gasa and Kumana, two local men who found John F. Kennedy and his surviving PT-109 crew following the boat’s collision with the Japanese destroyer Amagiri near Plum Pudding Island on 1 August 1943.
The Solomon Islands Government will be represented at the event by the Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara, Hon. Lanelle Tanagada and other top Government officials.
