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
Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro, 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,