The Flying Tigers Historical Organization Prospectus:.
FLYING TIGER HERITAGE PARK
RENOVATING GENERAL CHENNAULT's COMMAND CAVE in GUILIN, CHINA
REQUEST for CONTRIBUTIONS and ARTIFACTS
FLYING TIGER HISTORICAL PARK OVERVIEW
© Flying Tiger Historical Organization. Optimized for a screen resolution of 1024x768, using IE7+
501 (c) 3 OrganizationTax ID 26-1492466
INTRODUCTION
The Flying Tiger Historical Organization, Inc. (FTHO), is a California non-profit organization, registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3). We are seeking donations to renovate the Flying Tiger's Command Cave in Guilin, China (see Exhibit A).
Our Save the Cave project is to restore and establish a museum within the Flying Tiger command cave located in Guilin, China. The restoration and legacy of physical artifacts, intangible attributes and tangible cultural and natural heritage will be maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. This will provide citizens of both countries, and all over the world, a first hand opportunity to see, hear and understand the significance of what transpired in China during World War II.
BACKGROUND
Beginning with this new century, China's attitude towards the Flying Tigers has warmed considerably. The first strong signal was in October 22, 2002 when China erected a statue to honor a "Hump" pilot who lost his life in early 1942. China's President Jiang Zemin presided over this ceremony (see Exhibit B).
Since 2004, businessmen Larry Jobe and K.C. Ma have been bringing hundreds of USA travelers to visit General Chennault's Command Cave each year. Unfortunately, they saw that the Cave and surrounding airport had been forgotten and was deteriorating.
In 2006, with inspiration and vision from retired Major General James Whitehead (USAF), these three gentlemen (retired Major General James Whitehead, Larry Jobe and K.C. Ma) thought the time was ripe to approach the Chinese Government officials on raising funds to restore the Cave. The government officials were receptive. In a letter dated December 21, 2006 (see Exhibit D), the China International Culture Exchange Foundation (a functional arm of the China International Culture Exchange Center) invited the FTHO to raise funds to restore the interior cave as well as to raise donations of valuable and cultural relics from the war.
BELOW: The attached pictures are the cave to be restored like this as the military map on the left wall and the floor paved with wood. These two parts will cost about $400,000 USD, and we will be much appreciated if you could donate.
GUILIN IS THE GARDEN SPOT OF CHINA
Guilin is well known as the garden spot of China and a favorite destination of Chinese tourists. It is also rapidly becoming a must-see for Western tourists. This desirable destination with its ease of access insures that the Flying Tigers Heritage Park will be available to all, keeping the legend of the Flying Tigers alive for decades to come.
The Flying Tiger Heritage Park featuring General Chennault's famous Flying Tiger Command Cave will become one of the "must see" locations on the tour list for those traveling from within China and from abroad.
FLYING TIGER HERITAGE PARK and COMMAND CAVE
Since 2006, the government has acquired all the land (over 120 acres) surrounding the Command Cave for developing the Flying Tiger Heritage Park.
In 2007, the Flying Tiger Historical Organization, Inc. (FTHO) was established to "Save the Cave", with James Whitehead as Chairman, Larry Jobe as President and K.C. Ma as Board Member (see Exhibit A).
On March 22, 2009, the Chinese government held a highly publicized ground breaking ceremony. This event was prominently featured on TV news stations as well as a number of newspapers in China (see Exhibits B and C).
LEFT: Museum under construction due to be completed in early 2012. General Claire Chennault's Command and Operations Cave is located just to the left in the picture under the white square.
