Sam Tate:

Upon graduation from Princess Anne, I attended Old Dominion University (AA 1963) while working part time at Boulevard Veterinary Hospital. I was accepted at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine where I graduated BS 1965 and DVM 1967. While at MSU I married my high school sweetheart, Shirley Lee Spangler (PAHA 60). I also joined the U.S. Air Force Veterinary Corps.

My 20 year Air Force career took us all over the world. My initial training was in Texas followed by a tour in Viet Nam. Next was 2.5 years in London, England which included temporary duty in Ireland and Scotland. In 1972 I graduated from the University of North Carolina with a Masters in Public Health followed by two years on Guam. My next assignments were Charleston, S.C.; Washington, D.C.; Ramstein, Germany; and lastly Goldsbough, N.C. Other temporary assignments took me to the islands of the Trust Territories, Japan, Taiwan, Port Rico, Belgium, France, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Morocco and Turkey. My military honors include the Bronze Star, United States Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (2), the Navy Commendation Medal, and several Campaign and service ribbons.

My time in the Air Force also allowed me to continue my Boy Scout activities wherever I was stationed. I held every volunteer leader position at the unit and District Level. I served on Wood Badge in Japan, Germany, Charleston, S.C. and Goldsborgh, N.C. My awards include Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor in the Order of The Arrow, and the Silver Beaver. I still support scouting but am no longer in an active role due to my other volunteer positions.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1987 I attended the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VA Tech) for a refresher program in small animal medicine and surgery. I then returned to Yorktown, VA as an Associate in a small animal practice. In January 1989 I purchased Deer Park Animal Hospital and operated it for 15 years.

In October 1997 Shirley died after an 8 year battle with breast cancer. We were married 32 years. In February 1999 I married Dianne L. Middleswart of Arlington, VA.

My post second retirement activities include part time relief work at two veterinary practices in Hampton, VA. My full time volunteer activities have taken me into the realm of Disaster Preparedness. I am the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA) Director for the Greater Peninsula (GPVMA); Secretary of the VA State Animal Response Team (VA SART); Coordinator for Veterinary Activities for the Peninsula Medical Reserve Corps (MRC); member of the National MRC Veterinary Working Group and VA Veterinary Reserve Corps. I am also a volunteer augmentee in the VA Emergency Operations Center in Richmond.

My duties in these volunteer positions consist of assisting state and community agencies and non-governmental organizations in developing emergency operation plans for animals in disasters, setting up emergency co located animal shelters, and training emergency volunteers. I also mentor three veterinary students at VA Tech.

My community has recognized my volunteer service with the Peninsula Community Emergency Excellence Award for 2006, MRC Volunteer of The Year Award 2007 and the Virginia Veterinary Service Award 2008.

Dianne and I minister to the military at Langley Air Force Base and in the Hampton Roads through Officers Christian Fellowship and Child Evangelism Fellowship. We mentor a small group Bible Study for service families in our home. Dianne conducts Good News Clubs and 5-Day Clubs to the children of service members on Langley AFB.

Dianne and I have three sons. Samuel L. Tate is a Captain, USN and is stationed at the Pentagon. He lives in Woodbridge, VA with his wife Amy and two of our grandchildren Joseph (14) and Jillian (12). Andrew J. Tate, our second son is a Lt. Col USMC and also at the Pentagon. He lives in Stafford, VA with his wife Debra and our other two grandchildren Danielle (17) and Michael (14). Our youngest son Robert Spousta, III is a Department of Defense civilian stated in Stuttgart, Germany with the U.S. Africa Command. He is single as of this writing. In February 2010 Dianne and I will celebrate our 11^th wedding anniversary.