It's not every day a small town plays host to the president of the United States.

And it's not every day the president has an opportunity to honor a community that has impressed the nation in rebounding from devastation.

On Sunday, President Bush visited Greensburg, the town of 1,400 that was practically wiped out a year ago in a May 4 tornado that left 11 dead, and leveled most of the town's homes and businesses.

In the wake of that tragedy, it seemed inconceivable that the town could rise again. The massive destruction, coupled with economic woes of rural communities losing population, had many wondering if Greensburg residents would be better off abandoning their town.

Greensburg leaders and other local residents had another idea -- and it was an innovative one.

The community has since demonstrated astounding determination and creativity in plotting the town's future. A priority has been implementing energy efficient designs and features in new homes and businesses, taking advantage of an opportunity to build what newly elected city councilwoman Erica Goodman called a "stronger, better, greener community."

Dozens of homes have been built with such environmentally-friendly features as double-pane windows, added insulation and high-efficiency compact fluorescent lights. Some homes will be solar powered. Businesses also are encouraged to "go green," and not only to be environmentally conscious, but also to encourage cost savings.

The effort has been a model for other communities.

Sunday, the one-year anniversary of the deadly storm, was a day of reflection and time to look to the future that was symbolized when the president handed diplomas to the 18 members of Greensburg High School's graduating class.

But as inspirational as progress in Greensburg has been, challenges remain. About half of the town's previous residents haven't returned, as rebuilding has proven too costly for many without replacement insurance -- an unfortunate reality that should be addressed with better safety nets for those who fall prey to nature's wrath. Businesses needed to power the town also have been slow in coming.

Some have asked whether it's worth it to spend millions to rebuild the town. For those unwilling to say goodbye to the place they call home, there was no choice but to make it work.

They're well on their way. Congratulations, Greensburg.