2006 Q1 Page 2

We begin today to build a new organization for the historical preservation of the mystic on the Thompson Submachine

Gun and the Auto-Ordnance Corporation. This undertaking for me began some twenty odd years ago when I

purchased my first Thompson. The die was cast and it never surprises me the new things that keep getting discov-

ered or rediscovered dealing with Thompsons. You would think that a firearm that was created around the turn of

the century would be a very stall subject, but the opposite is true.

The American Thompson Association's (TATA) name was chosen because of the wonderful history of this Ameri-

can made design. The name does not focus our groups attention to only America, as I have found that an interna-

tional favor of collectors adds so much to this "hobby". Because the Thompson was used by almost every country

in the world at some time, each country has added it's own unique touch to the Thompson legend.

The TATA will have a quarterly newsletter which will describe all of the information possible about the newly

discovered items. The newsletter is of course named the "American Legend", because of the firearms history and

because the term Legend is also sometimes used to mean a newspaper. It is fun to have double meanings to

wordings.

The TATA group will also promote doing displays in the future. I am a strong believer in keeping an honorable

name and image out in front of the public, both the gun community and outside to the general public. Past projects

that I have been involved with have done nothing but promoted the cause in a positive light.

Because our group will become the public face of the Class III world to the general public, I believe that it is in our

best interests to work with other like minded organizations. This may mean also doing displays of other types of

Class III firearms.

We will continue to have shoots.

will continue to be run by my family. With the

help of TATA the event should continue to grow and expand. This will be the fifteenth year for this show and I am

sure it will be very interesting. Trust me.

So here is the working outline. The membership will have to fill in the blanks with their input. The new organiza-

tion will have a formal business meeting at the All Thompson Show in August to flesh out our goals.

Please feel free to contact any time with questions or comments. 740-345-9777 days.