like Ben and Doris Benham, Bob Jones, Bill Panczner, the Sonnenbergs and others who were willing to spend the time to help bring along a couple of young collectors. Fast forward thirty years and once again Marc Watson gave me a nudge in the right
direction. She suggested that I join the Foundation Board, and a year later I was vice-chairman. Two years later, you elected me your Chairman, and I held that position for five years.

There were two things that caused me to get involved. First, Ray Grant had become Chairman and re-vitalized the Foundation. He planned and started our annual Symposium and I could see there was some direction and enthusiasm in the Board. The second was the opportunity to work with the collection that had provided me so much pleasure as a young collector. Other than being moved from the fairgrounds to the current facility, the collection was pretty much the same as when I first saw it. Besides, we were beginning to unload the semi-trailer full of boxes and surprises and were sure we needed additional room in some of the cabinets to display these goodies. And, we were not disappointed.

The first Collection Committee was comprised of Ray, Genie Howell, Sam Nasser and me. The first thing we did was to remove a lot of the duplication. For example, we had thirty Defiance wulfenites and most of them were damaged. There were other areas of multiple specimens. Some were traded, others were sold, and a number were given to the museum. As we unpacked boxes at the trailer, many fine specimens came to light and were put on display. The second thing we did was let people know we were interested in receiving donations. James Horner, Wayne Sorenson, Gene Meieran, the McKee family, John Lucking, Paul Harter and Paula and I are among those who have donated specimens over the years.

When I was 12 years old I could never imagine being able to touch any of the glorious specimens in those wall cases, much less be part of the group that has helped build this collection into one of the best on public display in Arizona. I want to thank

everyone in the Foundation who has helped me over the years, because it is truly a team effort. I look at this award as recognition of all of our efforts. Here is to another forty years of successes like we have seen over the past forty.

A.L. Flagg Distinguished-Service Award Nomination for 2004

The Foundation has many talented, gifted, and unique individuals who continue the service to the mineral-collecting community that Mr. A. L. Flagg exemplified. Please submit to the Awards Committee your suggestion for the year 2004 award to be given at the March, 2004, Symposium. All nominations are kept on file for subsequent-year awards.
Nominee must be a Foundation Member (1) who has distinguished himself/herself by service to the Foundation, and, (2) who embodies what Mr. Flagg did for sharing this very rewarding hobby.

Marc Watson, Ben Benham, Ray Grant, Les Presmyk, and Anna Domitrovic are recipients of this award.
I nominate ____________________________________

Because  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please return this form by February 1, 2004, to:
Award
AZ MINERAL & MINING MUSEUM FOUNDATION (A Memorial to A.L. Flagg)
PO Box 41834
Mesa, AZ 852

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