Ambassador Yastishock Makes First-Ever Visit of U.S. Ambassador to Vilu Military Museum

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – U.S. Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock visited the Vilu Military Museum on June 25.  According to Museum director Caspar Diau, this was the first time that a U.S. Ambassador ever visited the open-air museum that his father-in-law founded and single-handedly created, collecting U.S. and Japanese aircraft and artillery used during the Guadalcanal Campaign, 1942-43.

Ambassador Yastishock presented Mr. Diau with a U.S. flag that Diau plans to fly outside of the Museum entrance, alongside the Solomon Islands flag.

After the presentation, Mr. Diau said, “I want to thank the Embassy and the people of America.  This flag reminds me of the heart of the people of America, for the historical events that happened in the 1940s in the battle between the Japanese and Americans.  History will never be forgotten.  We are so thankful indeed.”

Mr. Diau continued, “It’s very important to us in the Solomons because it is why we enjoy peace – lasting peace – and sovereignty…this is why we have not forgotten that we own our environment, we own our nation, we own all the islands in the sea, rather than someone else owning it.  Thank you so much to all Americans.”

Fred Kona founded the Vilu Military Museum in 1975 and operated it until his death in 1994.  Mr. Kona’s son-in-law, Casper Diau, took over its management at that time.  The Museum maintains several memorial plaques, honoring U.S. and other nations’ servicemembers who lost their lives securing freedom for Solomon Islanders.

Source: U.S. Embassy in Honiara