By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The American Village staff welcomes a special friend as Mary Bomar comes aboard as the new national advisor on May 19.

As the national advisor, Bomar will communicate with entities outside the state of Alabama in the hopes of opening doors and promoting the American Village.

Executive Director Tom Walker introduced Bomar as a native of England who became an American “by choice,” as she became a naturalized citizen in 1977.

From being a new American citizen to becoming the 17th director of the National Park Service at the appointment of President George W. Bush, Bomar’s path to the American Village follows a prestigious route.

As the director of the National Park Service, Bomar oversaw 23,000 employees, 140,000 volunteers, and 400 park sites with 300 million visitors.

“I am an American by choice, and I’m proud to be an American,” Bomar said. “When I became a citizen, I was given a letter by the then-President Jimmy Carter. The letter said it was my right and responsibility to get involved in the government, but I didn’t take I’d take it this far.”

Bomar said the American Village holds a special place in her heart.

“We can inspire a new generation to become aware of their history,” she said. “As young adults, they hold the keys to our nation and our future with their votes. When we look back and see what history books have to say about us, I want them to say that we prepared our youth to face the challenges of today.

“There are special places that unite us all as Americans. The American Village is one of those places.”