Congratulations to Col. Merle Snyder, who has been elected as an Honorary Member of the MAPGA! This honor is reserved for those who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary contributions and services toward the advancement of the section and the game of golf in the Middle Atlantic region. Many of you know him as an outstanding rules volunteer. He works at many events, both professional and junior.
We are not sure as many of you know of Merle as an American hero. He served in Vietnam as a medical evacuation pilot with the 45th medical company, 44th medical brigade. They were called “dustoff” pilots. While stationed in Vietnam, he evacuated more than 3000 patients and flew 1387 combat missions in the course of his 1-year tour of duty. Colonel Snyder received the Silver Star for gallantry in action during an evacuation on May 11, 1969, in Vietnam. This is the 3rd highest medal of valor within the military services. After a long and distinguished career with the Army medical department, Colonel Snyder retired in August 1997, after 30 years of service. After a few years as a consultant, a second retirement gave us Merle as essentially a full-time volunteer in 2002. And he has been serving the Section ever since.