Sampson Veterans Association- PA Squadron

Greetings Fellow Members and Friends,

 

             Mark down the date of Sunday, March 22, 2009 for our next meeting of the PA Squadron.   Once again, we will join together in the Community Club at Fort Indiantown Gap, north of Annville, PA.     We will appreciate your presence at this gathering and hope that you will be able to attend.  A time of fellowship will be from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM after which we will enjoy a delicious buffet meal.  The cost of the meal is $14.00 per person.  Please RSVP by Friday, March 13^th to Denise Stokes.           

          Our guest speaker at the meeting will be Klaus Grutzka.  He is an 86 year old WWII German Navy veteran, whose submarine was captured off the shore of Great Britain and was a POW until the end of the war.  He will share some of his wartime experiences and also share his talent as an artist.

         We are again planning to march in the Waterloo, NY Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 30th.  We would like you to consider joining us for the parade.  More info will follow.

         We have received an invitation from the Sampson-Ohio Squadron for their annual reunion at the Air Force Museum at Dayton.  My intentions are to attend this reunion and I think it would be great if we can get a group from our squadron to attend.  We could carpool, or rent a van if we have enough attendees.  The date of the event is April 30 - May 2, 2009.  If you are interested in attending, please email me at:  sampson-pa@comcast.net  and we will get more information to you.  (Please read the highlights of the reunion on the next page).      

 

          So don’t forget these important dates:

v  Before Friday,  March 13th – RSVP and mail check for dinners.   Call Denise Stokes at 717-885-0532 or e-mail the squadron at sampson-pa@comcast.net  .   Make checks payable to Denise Stokes  and mail to her at:   616 Campbell Road          York, PA  17402    ($14.00 per person) 

v  Sunday, March 22nd  – PA Squadron meeting at the Gap

v  If you haven't paid your PA Squadron dues yet, you can mail a check (payable to Denise) to the above address.  ($10.00 per year)

v  Ohio Reunion is April 30 - May 2

v  Memorial Day Parade in Waterloo, NY on Saturday, May 30

                    

            We hope to see you all on March 22nd. 

         

Yours truly,

 

Don Lehman  

President

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio Reunion Highlights:

 

     They have reserved a block of rooms at the Hope Hotel.  Special rate is $75 a day plus tax.  Call the hotel at 937-879-2696.  Make sure you mention the Sampson Reunion to get the special rate.             Note:  Reserved rooms at the Hope Hotel at the reduced rate cannot be guaranteed after March 30th.

 

     If you are interested in attending the reunion, RSVP with your check of $40.00 per person, payable to:  John Gray, and send to him at 3660 Brinkman Drive, Grove City, OH  43123, not later than April 15th.  His telephone number is 614-277-3501.  The fee covers the Friday Banquet, gratuity, tax, refreshments for the Hospitality Room for two days, plus other expenses including the mailing of next year's invitation.  The museum is free, but you are on your own with the IMAX Theater, your room, and all other meals.  There will be a cash bar at the banquet.

 

     The agenda for Thursday, Friday & Saturday - April 30 - May 2:

 

Thursday Noon -

     Some of us will arrive a day early to set up.  You are welcome to join us in the Mustang Room for fellowship and snacks in the afternoon.

 

Friday -

     8:00am - 4:30pm - registration at the Hope Hotel in the Mustang Room.  As soon as most of us are registered in the morning, some of us will caravan over to the AF Museum.  There will be light refreshments in the Mustang Room all day.  The Mustang Room will be open until 11pm, but may not always be manned, so please secure any items you bring for display when no hostess is present.

     All Day - tour the exhibits at the AF Museum.  We are also planning a "Behind the scenes tour" of the restoration area you will not want to miss.  This could take place either Friday or Saturday, depending upon availability of buses, tour guides, etc.  Note:  you need to sign up for this in advance - call Jane Leach at 937-255-1712, or e-mail her at jane.leach@wpafb.af.mil

     A Memorial Service will be held at the Sampson Memorial on the Museum grounds Friday or Saturday.

    3:00pm - A group picture will be taken at the AF Museum.

    6:00pm - Banquet at the Hope Hotel followed by a brief business meeting and our guest speaker, not confirmed at this time.

 

Saturday -

     All Day - on your own with local tours or back to the AF Museum.

     5:00pm we will carpool to dinner at Roush's Restaurant.  For those who stay around following dinner, we will reassemble for a time of "afterglow" in the Mustang Room