AL HJR76

Alabama Legislature commends Sandra "Sandy" Thompson for 17 years of service as Director of the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives (AVMA) in Athens upon her retirement

Thompson is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant with 20 years of military service who served as the museum's only paid staff member, relying on donations and daily volunteers

Under her leadership, the AVMA grew to house 2,000 artifacts including uniforms, medals, weapons, photographs, and books from all major American wars, attracting more than 12,000 visitors annually

She oversaw the museum's relocation from the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Depot to the larger Limestone County Events Center and initiated fundraisers including the "Threads of Honor" quilt program and monthly "Coffee Call" veteran breakfast events

The AVMA received the 2009 PEAK Award as Attraction of the Year from the Alabama Mountain Lakes Association for contributing to North Alabama tourism