Donation and closure

8 December 2007

Martlesham Heath Aviation Society
341 Main Road
MARTLESHAM
Ipswich Suffolk IP5 2QU

Telephone No: 01473 624510
Email Robert Dunnett

 

356th Fighter Group
c/o Mr. Ken Male
5000 Queen Philomena Blvd
Apt # 113 Schenectady
NY 12304 -7876

Dear Ken

On behalf of the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society I would like to thank you, your Board of Directors and all of those in the 356th Fighter Group for the generous donation, sadly at the conclusion of the 356th F.G. as a Society. As I think you already know, without the support of the 356th we would not have a Museum in the condition ours now is.

It was wonderful welcoming the 356th F.G. back for the Grand Opening of our Museum in September 2000 and to have photographs to record so many of our dear friends from America sharing our joy and happiness. I think our friendship has been some thing special and I know despite time moving on, it always will be special.

At our December meeting last night, I made the announcement to nearly two hundred M.H.A.S. members and friends, that the 356th Fighter Group had sent us a very generous donation, in total, $4,644.44. I also told them of the closure of the 356th F.G. and this mixed the gladness of getting the donation, with sadness that time had made it difficult for you all to continue as you had in the past. To a lesser extent, our age group is quite senior with few younger volunteers wishing to get involved. Those volunteers we have however are first class and enthusiastic. The donation will be spent on the Museum and I will advise you in due course on what.

Once again may I thank you, on behalf of the whole of our Aviation Society, for this most generous gift, it was a wonderful Christmas present for us all

We are always sad when we learn of 356th friends passing on.

With grateful thanks,

Robert (Bob) Dunnett

(Vice Chairman Martlesham Heath Aviation Society)