Village Board Member Kory Gilderman and Madang Provincial Administrator Daniel Aloi have signed a sister city agreement between Poplar, Wisconsin, and Madang, Papua New Guinea. This partnership is rooted in shared World War II history and aims to foster cultural and educational exchanges.
The agreement focuses on educational initiatives, cultural programs, and future exchanges involving students, veterans, and residents. During their visit to Madang, the delegation met with local leaders, visited schools like Divine Word University, and participated in cultural activities.
The historical connection between Poplar and Madang dates back to World War II through Major Richard Bong from Poplar. Bong flew missions over Papua New Guinea near Madang. In 2024, an expedition funded by the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center located Bong’s P-38 Lightning aircraft in the jungle near Madang.
This discovery spurred interest in building relationships between northern Wisconsin and Papua New Guinea. Kory Gilderman has personal ties to this history as his grandfather served in Madang during the war.
“This agreement is a way to recognize the history we share and to build something new from it,” said Kory Gilderman. “We’re excited to learn from each other.”
“We are at the authentic beginning of this journey,” stated Daniel Aloi. “This represents a unique moment in our history of sister city relationships.”
A delegation from Long Beach California will also sign an MOU with Port Moresby on July 11. Both delegations are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“Today we witness an intersection of friendship through a shared history," said Carlo Capua, Board Chair of Sister Cities International.
In 2023, the U.S. launched the “7 for 70” initiative aiming for seven sister city partnerships with Pacific Island nations by 2026.