From the Executive Director
by
Tom Drugan

Reunion 2006 was a great success! Thank you Jim and Mary Truitt. We had 113 people at the Saturday banquet extravaganza including the flight/support crew for “Liberty Belle.” Many participants took advantage of the opportunity to get a ride in the B-17. Other folks enjoyed one of the various scheduled outings while a few die hards got in a round of desert golf. Regrettably we were forced to scrub the best events we have ever offered…our Mission Tour. But that will certainly be offered again next year.

Our 2007 reunion is scheduled for March 22-24. We will be headquartered at the completely remodeled Best Western hotel near the airport. The new owners assure us we will have even better accommodations and amenities as well as a larger dining room. Plan now to join us!

Our Board of Directors held their regular annual meeting during the reunion. In addition to all necessary business, the Board elected two new members, Jim May and Richard Bushong. Jim is a Maryland resident, a descendant of a 390th veteran, a member of the Foundation and a very strong supporter of the museum. Richard resides in Green Valley, Arizona, is a 390th veteran pilot with 28 missions, a Foundation member, and a year around volunteer at the museum. We welcome both of these gentlemen!

Your Board of Directors also elected new officers for the next two years. Following two years of exceptional work on behalf of the Foundation, Mary Truitt stepped down as President due to heavy job pressures. Don Brooks was elected President. Frank Drain was elected as Vice President and Richard Bushong was elected Treasurer. Allan Moller continues as Foundation Secretary. By Board acclimation, John Warner was elected as Vice President emeritus. These folks and all the rest of the Board deserve your gratitude for giving of their time and resources on behalf of the 390th Memorial Museum.

Your foundation membership continues a slow but steady growth. We now have 1,449 active members versus 1,175 last year. Thanks to you all! Let’s keep the ball rolling!