Historic connection results in partnership between Poplar and Papua New Guinea

A brand new sister metropolis partnership has been established between Poplar, Wisconsin and Madang, Papua New Guinea.

It began again in 2024, when the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historic Middle partnered with Pacific Wrecks, finding the wreckage of Main Bong’s Marge, his P-38 Lightning plane. It was tucked away within the jungles of Papua New Guinea for greater than eight a long time.

Associated: Richard Bong’s P-38 fighter aircraft, ‘Marge,’ found in Papua New Guinea

With the invention of the wreckage, a brand new connection was shaped between the Middle and the pacific nation, leading to cultural outreach efforts coordinated with the U.S. State Division and Sister Cities Worldwide.

Representatives from the Bong Middle and Sister Cities Worldwide made the journey to Madang in July 2025 to formally set up the partnership.