County’s tourism successes the result of bureau’s tireless work

To the Editor,

This letter is in response to John Charles Robbins’ article in the Oct. 25 edition of The Robesonian titled “Agent Wanted, County Seeks Person to Lead Tourism Effort.” It is good news that an extension agent will be hired to focus on developing tourism assets throughout Robeson County to further promote economic development through tourism. However, important information was omitted.

Mr. Robbins said that travel and tourism generated $118 million for our county in 2007, providing 1,100 jobs and $2.6 million in state sales tax revenue. This did not occur by accident. The Lumberton Visitors Bureau has been promoting travel to and tourism in the Lumberton area since 1997 when the office was established by the N.C. Legislature. For over 12 years, dedicated individuals have worked tirelessly to attract travelers off I-95. Tourism-related business is one of the largest employers in our county and this is due to people in our community working together to properly market our assets to potential visitors.

I encourage the readers of this paper to look at the Lumberton Visitors Bureau Web site at www.lumberton-nc.com to fully appreciate some of the marketing we do for our community and county. I also encourage you to stop by our office at 3431 Lackey St. to meet the staff, take a tour of our facility and obtain additional information on our marketing efforts. Even though there is a lot of work to be done in identifying, developing, and marketing all the tourism assets we have in the county, much has been accomplished in the last 12 years.

The Lumberton Visitors Bureau looks forward to partnering with the county extension agent to build on the many assets we have in our county and region.

Mickey Gregory

Executive Director

Lumberton Visitors Bureau

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On Veterans Day remember the sacrifices that others have made

To the Editor,

The message of Veterans Day is simple! Remember the ones who have served, fought for you, gave up their freedom and sometimes their lives for you and the rest of America. The sacrifices that veterans have made for our country are far greater than one may know. The sacrifices don't stop once the veteran leaves the battlefield, gets discharged and returns home! The sacrifices are forever.

If you don't understand let me, as a veteran explain, explain. The veteran has sacrificed things that the average person takes for granted. Like talking to a loved one, going to McDonald's, air conditioning, a car, shopping, sleeping in on Saturday, watching TV, going to a movie, seeing your best friend get married, his wife give birth, your uncle's funeral, being there for Dad's back surgery, your brother's graduation, your sister's prom, your child learning to walk then talk, being able to take a day off, not knowing if today you'll lay your life down for what you believe in or become disabled. Don't think for one minute that when a veteran comes home without injury, life intact, that the veteran has not sacrificed!

That is the key word, sacrifice! This is what veterans have done and service members continue to do, so we can live in the land of the free because of the brave. On Veterans Day, thank a veteran, remember the fallen, remember the ones that are still in country, and say a prayer for everyone in uniform.

Thank you and God Bless America!

Clinton Haywood

Pembroke