AMERICUS — Underneath the shade of a large pine tree, approximately 75 assembled guests watched as Wally Summers, vice chairman of the Americus-Sumter County Airport Authority, cut the black tarp and revealed the new sign, that reads “Jimmy Carter Regional Airport.”

The renaming of the airport from Souther Field Airport to its current moniker has not come without controversy. A group of citizens voiced their dissent to the renaming by starting a letter-writing campaign stating that changing the name would be as if the history that the name Souther Field has held would be erased.

Frank Joiner, chairman of the Americus-Sumter Airport Authority, welcomed everyone to the ceremony. “I would like to welcome everyone to historic Souther Field, one of the oldest continuously operating airports in the country,” he said. Joiner then went on to tell a little of the history of Souther Field and what the airport means to him.

After an invocation given by Dan Ariail, pastor emeritus of Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, comments on the renaming were given by gathered officials.

Jamil Zainaldin, president of the Georgia Humanities Council, was first to step behind the podium, and he remarked on the history of the air field.

“I’ve wondered if all of the emphasis on Lindbergh is not a little misplaced,” said Zainaldin. “ I’m not saying that he is not important. He was one of the top aviation figures in the country and he soloed here. Four years later he crossed the Atlantic.” Zainaldin added that the actual site in which Lindbergh performed this feat was not on Souther Field, but “over the fence on the other side at the college (South Georgia Technical College).”

He added, “ I think what really deserves the tribute is that this airport was opened in 1918. and it is still operating. I think that Souther Field is the only civilian airport that can make this claim. It is the longest continuously operating airport in the United States that hosted military flight operations for two world wars.”

Zainaldin also remarked on the history of the renaming, and some coincidences that he found interesting when he thought about it. “One thing that I think is very harmonious is that Henry Souther, as a major in the Army, would have had a field named after him, which then would be renamed commemorating his commander and chief, and I think that he would be honored that his name would be associated with that of a former commander and chief. A third thing was that this is a Georgia thing. President Carter grew up in the shadow of this airport. The man who pushed the United States into World War I was Woodrow Wilson, who grew up in Augusta, Ga. There is another harmony here; these two presidents, Carter and Wilson, are once again connected through Souther Field.”

Zainaldin concluded his comments, saying, “As I look at Souther Field today, I think not only of an airport that stands for freedom and democracy, I think of the president that also stands for freedom and democracy who grew up in the shadow of that field. It’s an honor for me to be here on this day, commemorating this president, and commemorating that sacred ground for the United States.”

U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., said, “ This airport has a rich history. From its beginnings in 1918, as a training airfield and an aviation supply depot, to its association to one of America’s most noted aviators, Charles Lindbergh. The airport has been a significant landmark for over 90 years in Sumter County. It’s only fitting that we rename it today, after Sumter County’s most famous figure, former President Jimmy Carter.”

State Sen. George Hooks, D-Americus, said, “In 1967, Mr. Jimmy Carter, and his uncle, Mr. Alton Carter had the graves of his great-grandmother and great-grandfather moved from out here to Oak Grove Cemetery. If they had not done that, then we would have not been able to extend the runway out here.”

State Rep. Mike Cheokas, D-Americus, remarked about how much the airport has meant to him and his family, saying “My father got his pilot’s license out here. I got my pilot’s license and training out here. This past August, my son got his private pilot’s license out here. This airport means a lot to my family as you can see, and President Carter’s service means a lot to this family.”

Brent Williams, chairman of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners, said, “Sometimes, I think we take for granted that we have a President of the United States living amongst us. When you think back in history, only had 44 men have achieved that accomplishment and one of them lives here. Rarely do you have a president who stays in the community in which he was raised.”

Barry Blount, mayor of Americus said, “ This is a special occasion to honor one of our own. He and Rosalynn have done many things around the world to promote human rights and its an honor to be able to rename the airport after him.”

After the black tarp was cut away, Carter then came to the microphone and gave his comments on the occasion. “First of all, I want to express my deep appreciation to the City Council, the members of the Airport Authority and the County Commission; this is an honor for me. Since I have left the White House I have seen other presidents honored. President Ronald Reagan has his name on the national airport in Washington. President George H. W. Bush has his name on the international airport in Houston, and now I have my name on this one which is much more special to me, because it is amongst home folks, and I have deep roots here.”

Never one to shy away from controversy, Carter also addressed those who wrote letters and voiced their opposition to the renaming. “I would also like to thank those who started the letter campaign,” Carter said. “Although it seems to be negative to some people, I thought it was good because I got more publicity out of this naming, than President Reagan or Bush did, and I’m really grateful for that.” Carter went on in his remarks to speak on his family history in the area, and how it was his great-grandfather who bought the land that the airport currently sits on. “I would say if you drew a circle around Souther Field not too far away, my great-granddaddy, great-great-granddaddy, my grandfather and my father, and in the future I will be buried close to this airport,” Carter said.

Carter went on to say, “When I heard that they were contemplating naming the airport for me I wrote a note to the mayor and asked them to reconsider, because I didn’t want anything to detract from the memory of Brown Hodges, my friend ... I don’t want to take anything away from Maj. Souther ... as it was pointed out earlier, I’m an engineer, too, and I like to see engineers honored.”

Carter continued, “He has been honored for a long time, 92 years or so; I think it would be appropriate to put a historical marker up in his memory.” Carter pointed toward an area near the sign.

Smiling, Carter added, “and I’m sure that the fervent friends of Maj. Souther would be delighted to pay the costs of the memorial site.”

Concluding, Carter said, “Maj. Souther and his family enjoyed this honor for more than 90 years, and maybe for the next 20, 30 or 50 years until they rename it again, my family can share the honor.”

The Times-Recorder has five videos of the event on it website at www.americustimesrecorder.com. The videos can be found in the “Local News” section on the website.