Worries about fireworks every year at Rushmore

I thoroughly endorse Supt. Baker and the National Park Service in their decision to cancel the fireworks this year. The loss of business for one or two days would be very small compared to the devastation caused by a forest fire which would affect the entire area for several years - not only Mount Rushmore and Keystone but Hill City, Custer, and even Rapid City and several campgrounds.

Actually, I have worried every year since the fireworks were started about the possibility of a fire, as I am sure all the surrounding fire departments have, too. While we may lose the national spotlight on TV, coming to see Mount Rushmore on the Fourth of July has always been something special. I am sure it will continue to be. Mount Rushmore is, after all, Mount Rushmore, a symbol of our country and its meaning. We do not need to make it into a spectacular.

Georgia Gerken

Hill City