Previous Story
Non-profit continues pursuit of Earhart monument
|
Posted on Oct 12 2018
A non-profit organization that is pushing to erect a monument on Saipan in honor of the legendary Amelia Earhart continues to champion the project.
The Amelia Earhart Memorial Monument Inc., headed by Rep. Donald Barcinas (Ind-Saipan), continues to pursue its goal of erecting a memorial monument for Earhart, in honor of those who claim to have seen her on Saipan.
According to Barcinas, the group is looking at a site in Garapan for the monument, in close proximity to both the Old Japanese Jailhouse and the NMI Museum.
“…A lot of people have witnessed that she was jailed there during the Japanese time,” Barcinas noted.
He further noted that the non-profit organization is currently working on a $12,000 budget obtained from donations. “So far we have $12,000 …We need to build up to $200,000.”
Josephina Blanco, a 93-year-old who claims that she caught a glimpse of Earhart in the Tanapag Harbor back in 1937, is adamant that Earhart crash-landed somewhere near the CNMI.
“Her testimony is a living testimony. She is a [piece] of living history, and we are very proud of that and we are honored to have her here,” Barcinas said.
Blanco was previously featured in several books pertaining to the mysterious disappearance of Earhart, who was the first female aviator to have flown over the Atlantic ocean solo.
Back in February this year, the group announced to the Rotary Club of Saipan that they would be erecting an 18-foot monument in memory of the aviatrix near Airport Road.
