the Alabama Veterans Museum
ATHENS-On June 19th, the Alabama Veterans Museum, with the assistance of Ken Wilson of the Southeastern Saddle Club, will have their 3rd Annual Col. Sam Gibbons Memorial Horse Show at the Sheriff’s Arena on Highway 99 to benefit the Museum.
In 2012, Ken Wilson, a Tennessee Walking Horse owner and the manager of Southeastern 
Saddle Club, contacted Veterans Museum board member, Teresa Todd, about helping him to find a suitable non-profit to donate the proceeds from a TWH Show he was planning to have. When Wilson mentioned it was to be a Walking Horse Show, Todd didn’t hesitate to say she knew the perfect organization, the Alabama Veterans Museum. Todd explained the Museum had a board member who recently passed away that was a TWH trainer, Col. Sam Gibbons.
Mr. Sam dedicated most of his life to the Walking Horse industry and was the Show Manager of the national
Col. Sam Gibbons
organization where they select the “World Champion Tennessee Walking Horse of the World.” The Celebration (short for Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration) is located in Shelbyville Tennessee, where Mr. Sam has been honored for his 37 years of dedication to the industry with a street named Sam Gibbons Boulevard.
Mr. Sam also cherished the Veterans Museum, volunteering many, many hours, helping with fundraising and serving on the Board of Directors and as the Museum’s Treasurer from 2002 until he passed away March 22, 2010 at age 95.
As a result of Wilson’s conversation, the first Sam Gibbons Memorial Walking Horse Show began June 22nd of 2012.
Mr. Sam was a World War II veteran. He served with the 79th Division, landing at Utah Beach on June 14, 1944 — “D-Day, plus 8” –– and fought across France, crossing into Belgium and Holland. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Bronze Star for valor along with several other distinguished citations and awards.
MEDIA RELEASE/ATHENS-LIMESTONE COUNTY TOURISM ASSOCIATION/TERESA A. TODD, PRESIDENT
