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Sampson Vets - President’s Column

Dear Fellow Sampson Vets,

Summer has finally arrived in Western New York and Alice and I are finally finished with our travels and are enjoying the warm weather.

During the month of May we traveled to Wright-Patterson for the Ohio reunion. We had a great time visiting with all of our friends. At the same time as the Ohio reunion was taking place, the 91 st Strategic Recon Wing was having their reunion at the Hope Hotel. A few of the Sampson Vets. were attending that reunion. Also, the Strategic Air Command had a large gathering at the hotel. They dedicated their memorial at the National Museum of the Air Force that Saturday, May 3rd. It was an impressive ceremony.

We got home from the Ohio gathering on May 4th and turned

around to drive to Kansas on May 12 for our granddaughters 6th birthday. The grandkids are all growing up. We arrived in Lawrence on the 13th and on the 14th our granddaughter's
kindergartens class had a tea party and we were invited to attend.

Here we are at the Tea Party. Sydney is between Alice, our son and me Scott and our daughter-in-law Jennifer behind us. We had a great time.

We got home from there on the 26th and then went to the Waterloo, NY Memorial Day parade May 30th. Prior to the parade the Navy Association had their Memorial Service at the museum. As a show of friendship and camaraderie, they asked if Tom Kirk to assist in laying the wreath at their memorial.

Then to top off the travel, we went to Hudson, Ohio for my 55th high school reunion.

Now it is time to stay home for awhile and get back to doing Sampson stuff. We have heard from Jennette Dockstader that they might start work on the cemetery this summer. Wouldn't it be great if there was something to see at the reunion?

Jeannette's e-mail is included in the Association Business section

We had our spring board meeting on April I I and we accomplished a great deal. The highlights are included in the Association Business section of this Roll Call.

Here I go again pleading for members to buy raffle tickets and to enter the Members Only Raffle. The proceeds from these two raffles are deposited into our museum trust fund. The museum trust fund will be turned over to the state, when we finally decide we have had enough. The interest from the fund will allow the museum director to hire summer help to run the museum. From what I have seen of the present museum director's efforts Krystal Westfal, with the Navy musetm, we will be leaving our museum in good hands. So, please help grow the museum trust fund.

Now for an update about my back. I am through with doctor's visits and formal PT. However the back is still there and I must do exercises at home to keep it stable. I use a cane when I go for long walks to help me balance. The good news is, it has stabilized and I can still cut the grass. However, it is not going to go away. As the saying goes, aging is not for wimps.

Hope to see all of you at the reunion in September

Chip Phillips, President