Maybe Old Airport Names Were Best

Among the officials appearing before photographers at the new Thomas F. Riley Terminal recently was County Supervisor Thomas F. Riley.

Supervisor Riley played a lead role in the expansion of what was Orange County Airport, in renaming it to John Wayne Airport and in blocking any consideration of commercial use of the Marine Corps El Toro base.

Although John Wayne made no noticeable contribution to Orange County or Newport Beach, the city of his residence, possibly he contributed to Supervisor Riley, leading to the supervisor’s veneration for the “Duke.”

As at Iwo Jima, an alert photographer caught a memorable moment--Supervisor Riley touching the hand of the greater-than-life-size statue of John Wayne, which graces the terminal building foyer. It reminds one ever so much of Michelangelo’s Adam in the Sistine Chapel ceiling almost touching the hand of God. I doubt this occasion was as significant an event in the story of mankind, but Supervisor Riley was suitably reverent.

Perhaps an observer would feel he was in at the creation, even if only of an airport terminal dedicated to Supervisor Riley and an airport dedicated to the late John Wayne. In any event, there may be some confusion as to who represents Adam and who represents God. After all, John Wayne may have reached for Supervisor Riley’s hand.

Some folks, perhaps all but Supervisor Riley and the Wayne family, were quite happy with the old name--Orange County Airport--unassuming, appropriate.

And perhaps all but Supervisor Riley would have preferred the name Eddie Martin Terminal to honor a man whose name was synonymous with aviation in Orange County.

WILLIAM HUNTLEY

Balboa Island