The U.S. National Park Service is 99 years old as I write this. Happy birthday and many more! Thanks to all the dedicated park rangers who continue to foster this grand concept. Overworked and underpaid, they serve the cause as a calling, nearly a religion. Their's is a labor of love and they represent the very best this country has to offer.

"To conserve the scenery and natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same...unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." With a scribble of his scholarly pen President Woodrow Wilson thus established the National Park Service in 1916 and set into motion a visionary concept that America has exported around the world. Thirty-six national parks were gathered under the umbrella of this single agency in what British ambassador to the U.S. James Bryce called "the best idea America ever had." Other nations had preserved gardens and green spaces, but only for kings, queens, and aristocrats. In America parks were for all the people. Most nations today, rich or poor, have some semblance of a national park system. (next photograph)