Ohio's national Air Force museum has good year

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio reports last year brought some 1.32 million visitors, second-most in its 55-year history.

The total was 25,000 visitors short of the all-time record set in 2003 during celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of aviation in the home area of the pioneering Wright brothers.

Attendance in 2010 was up 3 percent over the previous year and 20 percent ahead of 2008.

Officials tell the Dayton Daily News the economic downturn has caused more people to take a look at the free attraction.

The museum also got some extra attention when former President George W. Bush visited for a Veterans Day speech and to promote a book of his memoirs.