[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    49TH ANNUAL ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE CHRISTMAS DROP IN MICRONESIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, 49 years ago in 1952, over the tiny 
island of Kapingamarangi in Micronesia, the crew of an Air Force WB-50 
aircraft assigned to the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron in Guam 
quickly gathered a box of goodies they had on the plane upon seeing a 
number of islanders waving at them. Thus began the five-decade-old 
tradition.
  For years, the residents of Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro and other remote 
islands have been receiving a variety of gifts such as machetes, hoes, 
snorkels, coloring books, soccer balls and toiletries--items they 
probably would not have been able to obtain otherwise due to their 
remote location in the Pacific. This year, four C-130 Hercules aircraft 
from the 36th Airlift Squadron based out of Yokota Air Base in Japan 
dropped 60 boxes of holiday gift items on the 54 islands and atolls in 
the Micronesia area. The operation lasted six days and entailed cargo 
planes descending upon sparsely populated islands and atolls. In 
addition to the goodwill spread among these communities, the aircrew 
involved also benefit from the opportunity of having their navigation 
and flight skills tested as they search out unfamiliar drop zones on 
remote and isolated island locations.
  This year's organizers had a bit of difficulty in raising the 
necessary funding for this project due to Guam's current economic 
situation. However, the community has somehow managed to get together 
and, in the true spirit of this season of sharing, allow for another 
successful year. For the past several months the Christmas Drop 
committee has raised funds through several events. Three scuba diving 
boat trips, a 5k run/walk, a golf tournament along with T-shirt and 
commemorative coin sales generated a substantial part of the funds used 
for this year's operation. Despite a recent drop in tourism arrivals on 
Guam, donations steadily flowed from island residents and the local 
business communities. Also worth mentioning is the effort initiated by 
Jacob Jansen as part of his community service project in his effort to 
attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Through Jacob's efforts, a canned food 
drive was held at Andersen Air Force Base's middle and elementary 
schools as well as at Guam High School.
  During these times of uncertainty and hardship, it is very gratifying 
to see that worthwhile projects such as the annual Christmas drop 
remains alive. This is a testament to our capacity to unite as a 
community and as a nation in the face of adversity. There is no better 
way to demonstrate our compassion and generosity than worthwhile 
projects such as this. I take this occasion to commend all those who 
participated and contributed towards the success of this year's 
Christmas drop. Let us keep this tradition going for many more years to 
come.

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