Bicentennial Message

from

 The President of the United States of America

In 1976, as the nation was celebrating its 200th birthday, President Gerald R. Ford, who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, sent a Bicentennial Message to Whitney, Nebraska, writing in part, “As we lay the cornerstone of America’s Third Century, I am most happy to commend the Bicentennial Community of WHITNEY for playing a special part in this great National Celebration.”  Although in its declining years, Whitney participated in the national celebration, perhaps envisioning the day when it, too, could celebrate a bi-centennial.  Thanks to Jim and Naomi McCafferty for sharing this memento.