Parade honorees selected

An evening of honors and laughs were enjoyed during the Wednesday nigh Heritage Days Chamber mixer at McCook National Bank.

The Heritage Days committee announced their choices for Grand Marshall, Parade Marshall and Honor Family as well as auctioning off dunkees for the annual dunk tank fundraiser Dr. Louis W. Burgher, of Ft. Calhoun, was named as Grand Marshall for the Heritage Days event.

Burgher graduated from McCook High School in 1963. He attended the University of Nebraska and received his B.S. in June 1966, when he entered medical school.

Burgher received his doctor of medicine degree in 1970 and attended graduate school from 1972-1974 at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He holds a University of Nebraska College of Medicine, doctor of philosophy degree, which he received in 1978.

After serving nine years as Chief Executive of Clarkson Regional Health System and the Nebraska Health System, he was appointed President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

He serves on the Board of Directors of the Durham Western Heritage Museum, the Board of Trustees of the Boy Scouts, the Board of Directors at Joslyn Art Museum, the Board of Directors of Heritage Services Foundation, and is a member of the United States Strategic Command Consultation Committee at Omaha Offutt.

Don began work at Harr Insurance Company in 1952, after serving in the Korean War. He and his wife Susan have four children and eight grand children.

The 2002 Parade Marshals are Don and Mitzy Harr.

Don has served as past president of the McCook Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Community Hospital Board and Vice-Mayor of McCook as well as being actively involved in several church activities.

His wife, Mitzy, has been active in the St. Patrick Altar Society, the Diabetes Association, and Hospice.

Mitzy worked as an obstetrics nurse at St. Catherine's Hospital in McCook for many years.

The couple has six children.

The distinction of this year's Honor Family goes to the family of U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson.

Nelson was born and raised in McCook and after graduating from McCook High School attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1963, a master's degree in 1965, and a law degree in 1970.

He served as Nebraska's 37th governor from 1991-1999 when he made a ethanol production a national priority by founding the Governor's Ethanol Coalition.

In November 2002, Senator Nelson was elected to the United States Senate. He is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Agriculture Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee.

Nelson has received the Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award, the Distinguished Eagle Award from the National Eagle Scout Association, the Groundwater Achievement Award from the Nebraska Groundwater Foundation, and the George W. Norris Award for his support of public power. In 2002, he was awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of Enterprise" award for his strong support of business issues.

The Senator and his wife, Diane, have four children and three grandchildren.

The annual dunk tank auction brought a lot of laughs in addition to raising more than $1,580 for the McCook Chamber of Commerce. John Kugler of Kugler Oil Company brought the highest bid of $300, when he "sweetened the deal" by offering the high bidder a chance for a ride on a hot air balloon during this year's annual Freedom Flight, scheduled for October.

Rich Barnett of the McCook Radio Group brought $260, Shane Pierce of the McCook Clinic brought in $240, Ronda Graff of the McCook Daily Gazette and McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham each brought $140.

Jamie Hansen of McCook National Bank raised $130, and after showing a little leg, Missy Nelson raked in $120, as did McCook High School Coach Steve Nicolson. Ty Orton, McCook Community College basketball coach raised $100, and Raleigh Haas, who was unable to attend the mixer, brought in $30.

Additions and corrections have been made to the line-up for the Heritage Days Parade, which begins at 9:30 a.m. The Veteran's Memorial Service is set for 9:15 a.m.

The latest lineup:

PARADE LINEUP

BANDS