Col. Weir Cook flying High Again And Not Solo This Time!

jc · 4 June 2008, 07:43 PM

Col. H

Weir Cook is no longer flying solo but flying again with lots of help from his FRIENDS!

I wanted to write & let this group know what has been going on about restoring Col. Cooks to the Indianapolis airport. It's definitely been on the internet alot the good, bad & definitely the ugly. Ugly meaning: 1. They have no respect for anyone. 2. Just trying to yank someones chain by their gross comment. 3. Right down stupid. 4. ECT......

We did hit our mark of over 1,000 signatures. What we didn't expect is the huge out poor of help from many-many groups. Listing the numbers of individuals in these groups are in the thousands. I've always been told to win the war it takes an Army. Boy, did that ever ring true!! I'm still getting more support as of today-wow.

We ran a big campaign "Let the people be heard". For which the City County Council of Indianapolis heard & let us be heard. A special resolution initiated by President of the city-county council. Recommending that the AABoard rename Indpls. Airport back to Indianapolis Weir Cook Airport went forth to a committee May 27,2008. Out come: 3/3

With the Mayor of Indianapolis supporting us we didn't give up. As it had one more shot to win over the full city-county council on June 2, 2008. Out come: 25/3 with a do pass !!!!! This being a recommendation only for the final say lies with the AA Board.

Now we are off to face the AA Board June 20th, 2008. As the Indianapolis Star newspaper reads today, where the Board members of Airport authority Board stand:
Pres. Tobias, undecided
Sec. Mr. Bennet, undecided but leaning our way
Mr. Grauel, leaning against name change
Mrs. Haflich, undecided
Mr. Voorhies, against
Vice Pres. Mr. Johnson, couldn't be reached
Mr. flynn, couldn't be reached

We are hoping they listen to the people & add the words Weir Cook to the title. To restore the honor back to our airport where it should have stayed in the first place. We hope they remember the children they lose more then we do by not placing his name back up.

Their is a group of children who have started a web page, a group that heard first hand from the media that kids don't care. Well one little girl did take a stand at the City Count Meeting May 27. She wrote a report by her self of why Weir Cooks name needs to be restored. As she graced us with her speech I was thinking of how Weir Cook Jr. would of been so proud of her. I was in my early 30's & he was proud that my generation still cared. This is what makes all the years of trying to be heard worth it! Getting Col. Cook name back up is PRIORITY for future generations we haven't touched.

Thanks to all the supporters
Weir Cook Project

AAC Cadet Leader · 4 June 2008, 07:56 PM

jc,
congratulations on your group's success, due to your long-fought, tireless efforts. way to go!

jc · 4 June 2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

jc,
congratulations on your group's success, due to your long-fought, tireless efforts. way to go!

Thank you, Keep us in your thoughts as we leap the last hurdle.

jc · 12 June 2008, 09:45 AM

The Indianapolis Star, John Ketzenberger has written a nice article of where the Weir Cook Project stands today.

Talks of how our new Pres. of the AABoard Mr. Tobias has been getting alot of nice letters in support of a change that would include

Weir Cooks name, "RESTORE" to me.

Then goes to note Mayor Ballard of Indpls. supports the change to honor Weir Cook. That the City County Council voted overwhemlingly in support of a resolution that shows support for Cooks name to be included in the title.

You can read full artical at IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star | Indianapolis news, sports, business, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Indianapolis, Indiana
___________________________________

If I may ask, more now then ever before we need your support from this great community, it's now. This is at a point where they the people who make the decision are listening to the public & we want to give them a hand full of reasons why they should restore Cooks name back to this airport. This is at a stage where your input WILL make a DIFFERENCE. WE don't care that they leave Indianapolis or International in the title (doesn't sound to bad) along with Cooks name. Just that they restore the honor back to Cook & the people & not put him in baggage again.
Their are 11 members all together that we'd like to reach, including 2 advisory board member & the Mayor. I will list the address below. If you don't want to waste stamps email them to me & I will send them on for you.

We need your letters showing support for this effort. We got over the 1,000 signatures, we have Military / Veteran Coalition made up of 14 Indiana State Veteran Orgs that are tied to National Orgs, and Commemorative Air Force out of Texas.

Polls have turned since I started this project (2000), media stories too. As we've put out info on Weir Cook & what he had done for so many & how the name was originally taken away. Alot of people who didn't care in the beginning one way or other now are saying they support us & that they never believed it would get this far.
It does take an Army of many to win a war! So please join us !

Randall Tobias, President, Indianapolis Airport Authority,
Indianapolis International Airport,
Main Terminal-Administration Bldg.
2500 South High School Road, #100
Indianapolis, IN 46241–4941,

Other Members of the Airport Authority, same address as president

Lacy M. Johnson, Vice President
Alfred R. Bennett, Secretary
N. Stuart Grauel, Treasurer
Robert H. Voorhies, Member
Shirley M. Haflich, Member
Kelly J. Flynn, Member
Michael Stayton, Member
Jack Morton, Advisory Member
Lynn Gordon, Advisory Member
John J. Kish, Executive Director

Weir Cook Project

jc · 16 July 2008, 06:41 PM

UPDATE:
The last of June we met with the AA Board at the airport. Where several people spoke about Col. Cook & why it should be back up at this airport. President R. Tobias said a few nice words & sent it to a committee. The committee is to report back with their conclusion (I'm making this short) on July 18th.

Well were just about a day away from finding out if or what they will do in regards to restoring Col. Cooks name ??? So when the 8:30 am. bell rings on July 18th know that we'll have a strong show of suport present. Waiting at attention to hear the answers for the question: Will Col. Cooks name be restored back to this airport?

jc · 18 July 2008, 11:34 AM

Today we learned the faith of restoring honor back to Col.

H. Weir Cook at the Indianapolis Airport. Alittle disapointing we didn't get his name back to the airport title but they did give him the next best thing(s) with a little bit more. The main drive will have his name, the brand new terminal will also hold his name plus they will have a great area for him in side. A place with education, pictures..... It's a win/win for everyone!
At least he won't be in baggage anymore as of Oct. 28th!
Thanks everyone!!!!

AAC Cadet Leader · 18 July 2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc

...we didn't get his name back to the airport title but they did give him the next best thing(s) with a little bit more. The main drive will have his name, the brand new terminal will also hold his name plus they will have a great area for him in side. A place with education, pictures..... It's a win/win for everyone!

jc,
sounds like a blessing in disguise. a name on the airport is nice, but display and active educational space within it is even better.

Rod_Filan · 18 July 2008, 01:09 PM

Congratulations jc! Hard work will always be rewarded.

In 2005 I submitted my research to the provincial government in an effort to have a Victoria Cross winner's plaque moved to its correct location (...it's a long story). In the end, after stonewalling for ten years(!) the pencil-necked revisionist bureaucrats couldn't resist the well-presented truth. So who says you can't fight city hall?

Cheers
Rod

jc · 18 July 2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

jc,
sounds like a blessing in disguise. a name on the airport is nice, but display and active educational space within it is even better.

I think so to

I had to shoot for the moon & we got STARS! You wouldn't believe how many times I listened to "Coming in on a wing & a prayer" yesterday. I was either coming in for a crash after 8 years out there or prayers were being answered just so s-l-o-w-l-e-y.

jc · 18 July 2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod_Filan

Congratulations jc! Hard work will always be rewarded.

In 2005 I submitted my research to the provincial government in an effort to have a Victoria Cross winner's plaque moved to its correct location (...it's a long story). In the end, after stonewalling for ten years(!) the pencil-necked revisionist bureaucrats couldn't resist the well-presented truth. So who says you can't fight city hall?

Cheers
Rod

Thanks Rod! It was today!