Colonel Sam Gibbons may have passed on in 2010, but he remains a local military hero in the hearts and minds of veterans and residents of Tennessee and Alabama. He was awarded the BronzeStar, and endured horrific loss of his men in the European Theatre of WWII.
After Sam came home from the war, he did many things including working for Con-Agra, but became best known for his involvement with Tennessee Walking Horses. He is in the Tennessee Walking Horse Hall of Fame, and for 36 years, Sam managed the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, TN.
He also became very involved with the Alabama Veterans’ Museum, and worked as part of the board until he died. In honor of Sam, the Veterans’ Museum is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Sam Gibbons Tenessee Walking Horse Show on Friday, June 22nd at 6 pm. “We are hoping it will become our signature annual fund-raising event,” said Sandy Thompson, the Museum’s director. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Veterans’
Museum, or by contacting Sandy Thompson, at 256-771-7578, or Ken Wilson, 256-777- 4578. Come out and help the Veterans’ Museum continue to be one of the top attractions of the Southeast!
By Ali Elizabeth Turner