A Personal Thought

[L Verge]

I was honored to be appointed to the board of advisers of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission nearly ten years ago as the celebration planning began to observe the 200th anniversary of Mr. Lincoln's birth. What an experience to join famous scholars, statesmen, members of Congress, media personalities, and others as we gathered over a period of several years to plan events and programs.

I am sad to say, however, that the Bicentennial did not turn out the way I had hoped - and this is strictly my opinion. We had talked about traveling exhibits, wide use of the internet, essay contests, and any number of things to get the general public intrigued and involved. In general, I think we failed to reach the people we needed to reach in order for this historic event to have an effect on the nation. It remained (again, to me) an elitist celebration.

The various programs, events, exhibits, and more that have gained media attention for the 150th commemoration of the end of the Civil War and the death of Lincoln are more meaningful to me -- and I hope to the people who avail themselves of these opportunities.

Twenty years ago, I would be at Ford's Theatre for such an event as what is planned (and occurring, despite the rain).