Letter: Pearson sadness is widespread

The disappointment that A.J. LaFaro, and his wife, Lydia, felt with their visit to the Pearson Air Museum (“Pearson solution in holding pattern,” April 21 Columbian story) expresses my feelings exactly.

When the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust provided the funds to conserve the air museum building, the community responded.

I had retired from the construction business and still had my tools and the stamina to join the many volunteers in finishing the interior. We put in many long hours, days and weeks to get it done.

Many business leaders donated showcases and display furnishings from their shops. Many veterans and their families loaned or donated treasured mementos of aviation history and personal involvement to share with the museum.

With the first news of the National Park Service takeover in February, I was very angry and considered it a personal abuse. But after the excellent Columbian reporting, my emotions turned more to disgust with the whole bunch. In earlier years, we worked with John Donnelly who was a hands-on leader that got things together. Royce Pollard helped sort out the problems with the big boys and all started so well.

I hope U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler continues with her action to see the Pearson Air Museum restored to its original plan and purpose.

A. Larry Daniel

Vancouver