Please accept my sincerest thanks for your recent detailed feature article “Welcome to Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport.”

What a fitting tribute to my first cousin, Capt. Clayton J. Lloyd, as pilots who are now approaching the airstrip in Anguilla have to announce: “It is Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, we are inbound.” Indeed, July 4, 2010 (when the ceremony took place), is in my opinion a moment of national pride in Anguilla’s geo-political, socio-economic and cultural history to have its airport now bearing the name of a dedicated son of her soil who was one of her first aviation pioneers.

Let me take this opportunity to commend the Hon. Minister Evan Gumbs and his “ministerial colleagues”, friends, staff, pilots, colleagues from Anguilla/St. Martin/St. Maarten, many Anguillian nationals at home and abroad, as well as those others who are similarly situated, who have suggested and supported the name change of Anguilla’s airstrip.

I firmly believe the name change is so important because in Anguilla’s revisionist history, colonial names took precedence back in the day. What a better way to do some consciousness raising than to celebrate one of our own who was a “beloved and patriotic Anguillian pilot.” What a better way to recognize the traditional Anguillian culture of successful business entrepreneurship that was embodied in Capt. Lloyd’s business ventures owning seven planes back in the day. What a better way to ensure, as Mr. Larry Franklin said, “the legacy of Capt. Lloyd’s life and work... provides a link between the aspiration of present and future generations to our history and forebears.” Therefore, I trust that the name change of Anguilla’s airstrip will serve as a motivational class trip civic lesson for school children throughout Anguilla, as well as a historic tour site that will become a future heritage tourist attraction.

In closing, I would like to take the liberty of making a suggestion to Hon. Minister Evan Gumbs and his “ministerial colleagues”. I believe that it is important for “Capt.” to be added above Clayton’s name. Thus, for future reference, Capt. Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport because it states the name change together with the appropriate title that signifies Capt. Lloyd’s professional achievement as a pilot and Anguilla’s first aviation pioneer.

Thank you, Mr. Nat Hodge and staff. You are doing a great job.

Prof. Yinka G. Lloyd Stanford.
Manhattan, New York
July 11, 2010

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