If you haven’t played the Mount Rushmore game yet, it goes something like this: Who are the four most important people throughout history in a certain group? Examples include the Mount Rushmore of Husker football, the Mount Rushmore of Rock and Roll, and the Mount Rushmore of the Internet. There are near-endless variations as well. The Mount Rushmore of Husker Football is often discussed in subcategories such as the Mount Rushmore of Husker Quarterbacks, the Mount Rushmore of Husker Blackshirts, and the Mount Rushmore of Husker Coaches.
With the recent passing of Dr. Paul Hartnett, his name and accomplishments in our community have been mentioned among some of the more noteworthy of the last 50 years – including his roles in expanding the Kennedy Freeway through Bellevue and the construction of the Highway 34 bridge over the Missouri River.
When talking about a fictitious Mount Rushmore of Bellevue, Hartnett’s name surely has to be in the conversation.
Who else?
One name that might be unknown to many, but maybe should be in the conversation, is William Stuart Symington III. Symington was the first Secretary of the Air Force and in 1948 he moved Strategic Air Command from Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland to Bellevue, Nebraska.
So who would you choose as the four most important people in Bellevue? Or should subcategories be created? The Mount Rushmore of Bellevue Business, the Mount Rushmore of Bellevue Education, the Mount Rushmore of Bellevue Politics, and so on. There are often subcategories that don’t involve individuals. For Bellevue that might include the Mount Rushmore of Bellevue Restaurants or the Mount Rushmore of Bellevue Shops.
In the comment section on our Facebook page, suggest a name or two of individuals you think should be a part of the conversation. Direct Link: https://www.facebook.com/bellevue.times.
