A stolen plaque commemorating one of the most significant battles of the Guadalcanal campaign has been replaced at Bloody Ridge National Historical Park, restoring an important World War II heritage landmark.
The replacement plaque was officially unveiled during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Guadalcanal landings, attended by United States-based Valor Tours supporters, Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) officials, Tourism Solomons representatives and Bloody Ridge Rangers.
The original plaque was installed in 2017 when Bloody Ridge was formally declared a National Historical Park but was stolen shortly after its unveiling.
The new plaque was funded through donations from supporters of Valor Tours, with 25 members of the group joining the unveiling ceremony.
MCT Permanent Secretary Bunyan Sivoro expressed the Government’s appreciation to Valor Tours group leader Scott Freund and the donors who contributed towards the replacement.
He said their generosity had helped restore a landmark of deep significance to Solomon Islanders and international visitors.
Freund said: “The Solomon Islands holds a special place in my heart, and I always look forward to returning.”
The names of all donors will be displayed at the new Bloody Ridge National Historical Park office as a permanent acknowledgement of their contribution.
The ceremony also recognised the work of MCT Tourism Technical Advisor Bjorn Svensson, who has played a key role in the development of the national park.
Svensson reflected on the challenges involved in establishing and protecting the historic site and praised the dedication of the Bloody Ridge Rangers, who continue to safeguard the area.
He also outlined plans to further develop the park as a heritage tourism destination while creating sustainable economic opportunities for communities in surrounding areas.
Bloody Ridge, located on Guadalcanal, was a key battleground during the Guadalcanal campaign of World War II, when US and Japanese forces fought for control of the island.
The Valor Tours group is visiting Solomon Islands to commemorate the 84th anniversary of the US landings on Guadalcanal, Tulagi and the Florida Islands.
The restoration of the plaque comes as Solomon Islands continues efforts to preserve and promote its World War II heritage sites, which remain a major attraction for international visitors and an important part of the country’s history.
