I write to congratulate the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce for honoring my near lifelong friend and fraternal brother, Sam Buck, Jr., as the first recipient of their award for contribution to the civic welfare of your city.

My father was the Skagit County prosecuting attorney from 1922 to 1930 and, as such, became friends with his counterpart in San Juan County, Sam Buck, Sr. I knew the name and of the outstanding reputation of Sam, Sr., from an early age.

So imagine my surprise and delight in learning upon my discharge from the army in the fall of 1946 and joining the “pledge class” of Phi Gamma Delta Social Fraternity (The Fijis) at the University of Washington, that a Sam Buck (from Friday Harbor) was to be one of my classmates and fellow resident of our fraternal house.

We became fast friends and that has lasted non-stop for over 66 years.

I am familiar with all the progeny of Sam Buck, Sr., including Sam and Barbara, his deceased brother, Robert and widow, Barbara, his deceased sister, Barbara, and their progeny (that is not a print error, Sam has had a lot of Barbaras in his life).

It is a great family by any measure and they have enriched the community of Friday Harbor, and beyond in nearly every conceivable, beneficial way since about 1919.

It is one of the jewels of my life that I can say Sam calls me his friend.

Sam is steadfast and loyal. He has been a devoted husband, a loving father, and grandfather.

He loves Friday Harbor and the San Juan Islands as few do. He has served his country in war and in peace and loves and respects the United States for all the right reasons.

It has been said, and wisely, “show me a sermon, don’t give me one”. Sam Buck has provided us all and in particular, Friday Harbor, with a fine example of how a citizen can help build a community.

Subsequent winners of the Sam Buck Award will be well aware that they will be honored to receive the Sam Buck Award.

With every kind wish for your continued success.

Warren J. Gilbert, Jr.

Mount Vernon