Lockheed Official missed the point

Burbank Leader, Feb 8, 1992

Jim Ragsdale has missed the point and unfortunately taken a defensive attitude.I think we all understand that the Lockheed Corp. must make tough business decisions for its own best interests. I would expect nothing less of a healthy, forward-looking company. In understand that the historically significant buildings of the old Lockheed facility must be razed to treat and certify the soil below for resale. Very unfortunate but understandable. I do not understand how five decades of aviation history, civic history and personal dedication, genius and toil can become a vacant lot and leave no trace. What does that say about the thousands of Lockheed employees, many of them Burbank residents, who dreamed of, built and maintained the aircraft that protect the Free World today? What does that teach our children about the rewards of hard work and perseverance through hard times? How will out children's children know how we responded to Pearl Harbor or that we once built something worthwhile here? A retail outlet doesn't send the message that I want them to hear. Mr. Ragsdale, Lockheed should be proud to support a grassroots effort to preserve the San Fernando Valley aviation history that your company was a part of. Respond to our calls and letters. Tell your management, employees, social groups and vendors that we are here and looking for support. Search your halls for tax-deductible donations memorabilia, photos, drawings, models, artifacts, etc. I know that many of your employees care very much about Lockheed/Burbank history and would love to support a local facility dedicated to the preservation of its memory. Burbank city officials, what a perfect opportunity for you to take the lead and dedicate a piece of redevelopment land to local aviation history. Help reclaim the small town identity that drew our parents to this particular city. Media City Centers and retail outlets are good for business; now do something to promote Burbank's unique history, its identity and sense of well being. Citizens, support the Burbank Aviation Museum, attend the meetings, express your desires, write letters, speak up. You can't fairly blame misdirected people if you haven't plainly spoken your views. This is a "one-time-only" opportunity for Burbank. When Lockheed is gone and the land is spoken for, the possibility is gone. Speak now.Ron Dickson