We just keep on making history

You know the neatest thing about history? It's that we keep making it.

Sure, there are lots of wonderful things that people have done through the ages. Amazing things. Outstanding things. But, as great as the past accomplishments were, they are not nearly as important as what is happening now and what is yet to be.

So, you're probably asking, what prompted me to get off on this tangent?

The town of McCook, that's what.

In this middle class, mid-sized town in the middle of America, we have spent the past year celebrating the community's 125th birthday. It all comes to a close this coming Saturday night when the people of the McCook area will put on their best bib and tucker to take part in the concluding event of the community's Quasquicentennial Celebration.

The big finale is the McCook Governor's Ball.

It's only the second such event in the community's history and celebrates the fact that four Nebraska governors have resided in McCook during their lifetimes. That includes the current governor, Dave Heineman, who will be the headliner at Saturday's gala event.

Gov. Heineman, who lived here briefly during his childhood, joins a distinguished list that also includes the man who inspired the first McCook Governor's Ball: Ben Nelson. The first ball took place in 1991, which was the first of Ben's eight years as governor. Ben, who was born and raised in McCook, has gone on represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate, a position which he continues to hold.

Heineman and Nelson follow in the footsteps of Ralph G. Brooks and Frank B. Morrison, men who lived in McCook in the prime of their lives and went on to be Nebraska governors.

McCook's tradition of public service did not begin with them. It started in the earliest years of the 1900s when George W. Norris of McCook began a 40-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. In his illustrious career, Sen. Norris came to be regarded as one of the greatest legislators in American history.

Those are the facts, folks. That's the truth. That's history.

But, as impressive as the story may be, we cannot be content with the pride of the telling.

Because, you see, the important thing is not that Norris, Brooks, Morrison, Nelson and Heineman were McCookites and dedicated themselves to public service.

The important thing ... the governors' and senators' lasting gift to this community ... is the example that they have provided. Norris, Brooks and Morrison lived with goodness and gusto. Nelson and Heineman are doing the same in their important positions in Lincoln and Washington.

But -- for the sake of McCook, Nebraska and America -- what counts just as much is you, me and our friends and neighbors. We all have something to give. Let's take stock. Let's look back and reflect upon our many blessings. And, as we do, let's vow to make our todays and tomorrows as good or better than our yesterdays.

That's what George, Ralph and Frank did and that's what Dave and Ben are doing. Now it's our turn. Let's do our part to make McCook -- and the world which surrounds it -- a better place.

Soon, McCook's first 125 years will be history. Let's celebrate at McCook's Governor's Ball Saturday night. Then, after a well-deserved holiday, let's get rolling. The future awaits our action.