Changing name of airport not a good thing

Change the name of Souther Field Airport? Who would have thought? The history of Souther Field in it elf should be enough for anyone to know this is not a good idea. While many see it as not a big deal and others see it as a way to show admiration to President Carter, those whose hearts and souls live and breathe Souther Field see it as an unnecessary action by our County and City governments without even giving a second thought to the concerns of the people that it directly effects.

I spend more of my time at Souther Field than I do at my own home, some because I have to the rest from the sheer desire to be at a great place with great people. As the wife of Frankie Williams, the airport manager for many, many years, it is literally our home away from home. While others retreat to lakehouses and beach resorts, we would just rather be at the airport.

Souther Field has a history all its own spanning 92 years of which the last 35 Frankie has spent working to make his business “Souther Field Aviation Inc.” and Souther Field Airport grow. Our wantng to keep the airport name the same has nothing to do with Jimmy Carter; it has to do with history, with our love for the airport and the people associated with the Souther Field: the aviators who trained right here in our neck of the woods for the war, the Lindbergh solo flight, not to mention all the hometown boys (and girls) who have learned to fly at Souther Field. Changing the name of our airport not only defaces history but takes away from a place so many lovers of aviation come to fly, to learn, to check on friends, to earn a living or just hang out. There is no other place like it and for those of you after reading it in the paper realized that we actually had an airport in Sumter County, the next time you are out our way, stop in, have a cup of coffee, look around. Souther Field is not just the airport; it’s a family.

Souther Field is one of the best kept secrets in Sumter County. I find myself thinking how will the name change affect Souther Field and what might have been considered when the notion to do so was presented to the City and County. Did they think about the family members that stop in almost weekly to see where their relative learned to fly during both World Wars, the aviation enthusiast who wants to see where Lindbergh got his Jenny?

Those of us who would like to see the name stay the same are people who have made it their liife mission to contribute to aviation, whether it be by instructing young aspiring aviators, spraying crops, performing maintenance on others’ aircraft keeping them safe in our sky or just flying for fun, those who want to be a part of a wonderful airport, in a great community, proud of Souther Field and all it has been to many aviators. And while to most it may just be a namem to the rest of us its “Turning Left Base for Runway 5, SOUTHER FIELD.”

Stephanie Williams

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