Manager's Message
by Tom Drugan

Spring, 2002

Welcome to the Spring, 2002 issue of the J Bulletin!

This quarter’s editorial comment relates to political correctness run amok.  Every day we are faced with liberal tyrants who want to tell the rest of us what to say and how to say it, strive to restrict our expressions of patriotism and faith, and gleefully offend the vast majority of us for what they define as offensive to one or two of us.  These outrages can continue only as long as we allow it.  Please join me in vocal repudiation of these excesses wherever and whenever you see them.

Now onto lighter and more important matters.

I am very pleased to report that the matching gift program for our endowment fund stands at more than $55,000.  Now Dorothy Moller has made her matching offer even better.  As you will see from her letter on page 3, she will match pledges through December 1, 2003 where half of the pledge is paid before December 1, 2002.  Please don’t miss this opportunity!

On March 1, 2002 we held the annual Volunteer Appreciation dinner.  These ladies and gentlemen make this museum work.  Quite simply, this museum would cease to exist without them.  This modest event is our way of expressing our gratitude to them on your behalf.  We awarded service pins this year that ranged from one to eighteen years.  Thanks again folks!

Please hold June 21 and 22 open for a special event at the Museum.  In the next few years, the 390th Bomb Group Veterans Association will be phasing out their annual reunion.  Inevitably time takes its toll and eventually the group will not have sufficient members to carry on the reunion tradition.  Now is the time to begin a New Tradition!  We need to rally around the one symbol that will live on.  Our Museum in Tucson, Arizona is that symbol!  It documents for posterity the courage and sacrifice of all the men who gave so much so many years ago to assure all of us the freedoms we enjoy today.  This year marks the first annual 390th Memorial Museum Foundation Membership Reunion.  Veterans, descendants, spouses, and associates, are invited to join us June 21 and 22 for this inaugural event.  You will find an announcement and RSVP form on the last page.  The Veterans will have their normal reunion this year in Harrisburg, PA.  This reunion in Tucson is in addition to theirs.

Our volunteer in the spotlight this time is actually a team of volunteers.  On page 10 we have some photos and a write up on the “A Team”.  This is a chance to meet some more of your volunteers, the people who make this museum work.

Our Descendants Correspondent was not able to supply us with a column for this issue so we have something a little different on that page in this issue.  Take a look at what Cori Tennyson has to say.  And on that subject, we are actively soliciting articles from anyone for the Descendants Corner.  Please contact Leah Delaney at the address on our staff list on page 2.

Our operating costs have been pared to the bone, but the price of everything continues to climb.  From utilities to postage to supplies, it simply costs more to do business every day.  We thank you all for your ongoing support.  If you have not already done so, please take a moment to renew your membership today and if you can, toss in a couple of bucks for good measure.