Praise for cooperation

ISSUE: Three special acknowledgments
OUR VIEW: Road name, dental care and Scouting

The name might seem unfamiliar now, but motorists heading north or south through the most populated parts of Hardin County will someday know Patriot Parkway just as well as U.S. 31W.

Known for years on state planning documents as E2RC, which was short for Elizabethtown-to-Radcliff Connector, the road officially has a name and a number. The state will label it as Ky. 361 but for postal purposes and everyday conversation it will be known as Patriot Parkway.

And unlike U.S. 31W, it will have a single name. U.S. 31W changes from East Dixie or West Dixie Avenue to North Dixie Avenue when it reaches the hospital or South Dixie Highway south of Elizabethtown. Then in Radcliff, it becomes Dixie Boulevard.

Patriot Parkway could have been a partial name too. When completed the road will stretch Elizabethtown's northern edge near Severns Valley Baptist Church to Joe Prather Highway in Radcliff. Most of it passes through unincorporated areas between the two cities.

Thankfully, county government and the two city governments coordinated their efforts and provided one name for the new construction. It's good to see this act of unity in place.

SMILING CHILDREN. About 20 dentists and hygienists are taking part in the Rotary Smiles program, which expects to provide free treatment to 50 local children.

An outreach of the Rotary Club, the program continues to offer initial exams and some follow-up care to children from less affluent families. In addition to Rotary volunteers and the professionals offer their time and providing supplies, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Western Kentucky University, Hardin County Water District and the Lincoln Trail District Health Department also participate.

Thanks for offering this heart-warming program that literally brings a smile to the faces of children, their parents and volunteers.

BOY SCOUT AWARD. A retired U.S. Army major general, Bill Barron continues to contribute in a generally major way around the community.

He recently received the Silver Beaver Award, a distinguished service honor from the Boy Scouts of America, this past weekend.

The Lincoln Heritage Council selected Barron in recognition of his service on the Hardin and LaRue County Friends of Scouting Committee. Singled out, in particular, was his work on behalf of the Boy Scouts Patriot Games held in 2005, 2007 and 2012 at Fort Knox.

Barron, an Eagle Scout himself, sees Scouting as an organization creating future leaders.

“The threads of scouting will prepare a young man for the rest of his life,” he said.

It also works best when leaders give back.

This editorial represents a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.