As the widow of a man who contributed to Fort Worth's heralded aviation history for more than 30 years, I am deeply saddened by the situation in which we find ourselves.
Our great city -- which owes much of its prosperity to military and commercial aviation -- has once again failed to deliver on a dream of a permanent world-class aviation museum.My husband, Bob Cunningham, was fortunate to pair his two passions in life -- art and aviation -- in a 30-year career with Convair and later General Dynamics. Today, the Bob Cunningham Collection includes hundreds of artworks depicting with fantastic artistry the aviation history of Fort Worth.Before his death, his only wish was that his works be used to inspire young people into careers in aviation. We will fulfill his wishes, but how unfortunate that they'll be fulfilled outside his hometown of Fort Worth.Why do we find ourselves with little to show for the efforts of Bob Cunningham, Bob Bolen, Neal Anderson, Zim Zimmerman, Jungus Jordan, Gordon England and others? It's not the city's fault. In fact, the city believed so much in the vision of a museum that it stuck its neck out with a $2.5 million loan to kick-start a traveling exhibit designed to raise awareness and drive fundraising efforts.Today, we have a thoughtful master plan. We have that traveling exhibit, albeit without a home or funds to support it. We even have a promise of land at Alliance generously donated by Ross Perot Jr. But, it seems, what's missing is community or corporate will to proceed.So who do we thank for this predicament? We can thank those who exhausted Alliance Air Show revenue years ago that should have been set aside for our museum. We also need to thank those who let the B-36, B-58 and other aircraft -- our history -- get away.We also have to thank the Star-Telegram, which helped kill potential donor interest by declaring that the project would never fly. The Star-Telegram could have helped rally citizens around our noble vision, stay neutral or stick a knife in our backs. It chose the last option. I have to believe that Amon Carter would be turning over in his grave.It's also a shame that companies like Lockheed, Bell and others (part of the history we want to preserve) didn't step up as major benefactors. Yes, they graciously contributed a few items for the traveling exhibit -- peanuts compared with how much this city has given to them. I remember a company -- General Dynamics -- that would have been far more generous.Many believed in the dream. I still believe in the dream, and maybe one day we'll have the perfect storm of will, determination and private funding to allow the dream to get off the ground. However, although I supported the city's initial loan (in hopes of it being paid back in full), there's no reason for taxpayers to put more money into this effort. The City Council made the right decision. Our aviation museum can be and should be a privately funded venture.Thanks to those who fought a good fight. I hoped many of us would live to see our dream become reality. But it seems our dream will be left to another generation. I pray that our heritage is not lost, and that our young people carry the spirit of a special city that took flight, thanks to aviation.D'Aun Cunningham lives in Fort Worth.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
