Recall great things

Perseverance -- hard work -- working together.

If they haven't done so, I urge readers to read Walt Sehnert's articles on the McCook Army Air Base (March 16 and 23, 2009). Generations before us did great things by acquiring the tools they needed to win World War II. They had perseverance, worked hard and worked together to get the job done. Many were your grandparents.

Today we can do the same thing by doing what they taught us. Utilizing the tools from the McCook Army Air Base, Norden Bomb Sight and unique sites in Southwest Nebraska communities, we can increase tourism in our areas.

The area history, perseverance, hard work and working together are just the tools we need for historic tourism.

For businesses, Nebraska tourism provides the third largest revenue from outside the state. Travelers spent $218 billion in Nebraska in 2000.

For employees -- 43,000 jobs were created through tourism. These jobs provided job security and benefits.

Historic tourism creates a sense of pride for communities, businesses and employees. Through perseverance, hard work and working together, we can promote Southwest Nebraska tourism.

Sincerely,

Dale Cotton,

McCook Army Air Base Historical Society