Col. Weir Cook- Back in, IN Airport Board

19 June 2001, 11:54 AM

The

Weir Cook Project committee made history & won 1st. Battle against Indianapolis Airport board Fri.6-15-01! When we asked them to restore the name Weir Cook back to airport. They gave the honor & took it away for not one good reason in 1976. This was the first time since before 1976 that the airport board has LISTENED to PUBLIC comments since THEY changed the name of the airport. Thats the first battle we won to be heard. I read a 20 speech to them. Telling them you don't honor someone & then take it away! Gave them history of Weir Cook doings & examples of the past boards SELFISH mistakes! And then asking them to do something about it! Heres their reply:
Johnson (PRES.): The process of changing the name or attaching cooks name to the airport is neither simple nor easy.
There would be a substantial cost in changing all the paper work associated w/ the airport. That would have to be done on all our contracts w/venders & airlines
He never ruled out a change,however.
We will have to counsel w/ our customers & clients w/ business leaders & the chamber of commerence & other orgs.
Officials said: Changing the airports name would be a massive undertaking. Ranging from reprinting letter heads to rewriiting contracts.
Pres. of airport board said: We would take advice from chamber & others, but candidly there hasn't been a groundswell. Also saying he would need to hear comments from public & business concerning a name change.
Please I need a groundswell now!
I need your support from all over the US. & beyond! This place is building a 9 million dollar terminal & can afford the name change! Or at least name the new terminal Weir Cook. If you enjoy flying or just history of military, planes,or just want future gens.to learn what we already know then drop me an email saying you support what we are trying to do! At jcbb@indy.net The media is backing us. And we have one polical person who voiced his thoughts over the airwaves. And will again on WIBC 1070 this Sat 6-9 am. Weir was an American Hero not just a Indiana Hero. Step UP, don't let another soldier be forgotten!

20 June 2001, 03:06 AM

Please, just take a minute and support this cause.

I support the renaming of the international airport in Indianapolis to

Weir Cook International Airport, in honor of this great man.

You can just copy and paste the above if you would like.

Regards,
Steve

stephen · 20 June 2001, 06:04 AM

C'mon guys. We need some help here. Please do not think of this as a local issue, or dismiss it because his last name wasn't Voss or Ball or Luke... this is about the remembrance of a WWI ace who fought for his country and even a small letter from you could make a big difference.

Just sent my letter of support minutes ago. Please do the same.

Droops · 20 June 2001, 08:24 AM

I need to know a few things. Specifically:

When was the name changed, and was there any reason given why?

Where is the funding for this new terminal coming from? Are there any federal funds involved?

Is there an organized committee working to get

Weir Cook's name restored to the airport? If so, what is the name of this committee and how can one get in touch?

I'll e-mail my questions as well as posting them here. I may have follow-up questions as well.

VBR,

John

stephen · 20 June 2001, 01:11 PM

Good questions all. Please post any answers here Christy so we can all see. I hope no federal funds are involved at all, but then, this is really a completely separate issue from the new, 9 million dollar rennovation. With or without it, I would like to see the original name restored. It would not cost much (despite the stalls and whining of the board), and I bet private monies could be raised to cover it easily.