The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-06-22
SUNNY SKIES AT
RODANTHE FAVOR
ITS CELEBRATION
Three Congressman Speak; Group
Told Park Service and State
Must Build Bridge


when tribute was paid by three
Congressman, David Stick, writer
of books, and other speakers, to
veterans of the Coast Guard serv-
ice. The crowd which heard the
speakers was estimated at about
500, smaller than might have been
anticipated had not the fear got
abroad that mosquitoes would be
bothersome, but they gave no
trouble on this day.
Unfortunately the sudden death
of one Of the community's out
standing and best loved men, and
the serious illness of another made
it impossible for many Of the lead
ing people to participate in the
celebration.
Opening speech was an address
of welcome by Woodrow Edwards,
citizen and Coast Guard officer of
the community. Melvin r. Daniels
of Wanchese responded for the
Board of County Commissioners,
paid high tribute to the people, and
the record of the surfmen. He was
introduced as a man who has won
the esteem of the people by being
elected Register of Deeds for more
than 80 years.
Mr.. Edwards address of We'll
come was as follows:
at is happy privilege on be-
half of US who live here, to well
come you to this community,
known for long time by the old
Indian name of Chicamacomico, but
now with its three neighborhoods
as Rodanthe, Salvo and Waves.
Many circumstances have blessed
us, some of them the result Of the
forethought and favorable interest
of friends from outside, friends
like yourself, and for you and all
of them our best and finest people
are duly grateful.
I'VE are not particularly a
demoRstrative people, i'm these
three villages, but let Us assure
you you are exceedingly welcome
and we are deeply grateful. Again
we say, Welcome to Chicama-
comico."
Eve have had our way of life
here a long time, under circum-
stances that required us to be
neighborly and to live in patience
and understanding with our fellow
man. A world now moving faster
than our desires, demands we
maintain another tempo and new
trend. We are aware of this situa-
ton and will endeavor to live up
to the demand.
eve who live here love this
place. It is our home. Here are our
affairs and our shrines. Here lie
the bones of our dead for many
generations. We hope now that our
children and other people too, will
love this area as we love it and
remain in it. We believe that you,
once you have known it, will love
it too.
"Great history has been made
here by people born here, and who
lived and labored here. The high
est and noblest traditions Of the
Life Saving Service began with
great deeds of the men of Chica-
macomico. We do not wish to live
by these things alone. We hope to
merit, in future, by our friendli-
ness, our unselfishness and our
patriotism, your friendship and
your assurance of cooperation in
all efforts to go forward for a
greater county, state and nation.
We hope you enjoy the day.
Please call on us for any service
we can render"
Mr.. Bonner struck a responsive
note when he said Oregon Inlet
will be bridged in due time, and
he thought this task called for the
combined forces of the National
Park Service, the state and Fed
eral Governments.
He said engineers believed the
14-foot channel to be dredged
through Oregon Inlet and into
Pamlico Sound would stabilize the
shore so that bridge would be
practical. Funds for this work have
just been approved in Congress.
Bonner also told of other work
to be done in the area, including
improving the harbor at Hatteras,
work at Engelhard and at Wan
cheese. Until the bridge can be
erected across Oregon Inlet, the
congressman said, four ferries are
giving good service. He credited
Conrad Wirth, head of the Nation
, al Park Service, with getting the
Navy to provide the LISTS used
for ferries.
The speaker also praised the
Park Service for its development
Of the Cape Hatteras National Sea-
shore Recreational Area, which, he
predicted, will attract more and
more visitors. Praising the Coast
Guard for its work, Bonner said
he had fought to retain the life