3rd Annual Northwest Arkansas Search and Rescue Academy      By all measures the 2008 Academy was a success. About 131 attendees from 11 Arkansas counties and 3 states chose among 21 presentations to attend over the weekend. The friends we made while training in Colorado from Colorado, New Mexico and California were unable to attend because of the fuel prices. The only negative comments were, “This session is too short—make it longer next year” or “do an advanced course next year.” Over $2,000.00 in doorprizes! These are as many highlights at a weekend like this as there are attendees multiplied by the “ah-ha” moments they have, but one universally acknowledged high point was the announcing of the 2009 NASAR National Convention and Educational Conference being held in Little Rock next May. Last year, John Luther and I expressed our interest to Megan and other board members about the possibility of Arkansas hosting the 2010 or 2011 event. Megan called me in early March and asked “How about you guys hosting the 2009 Conference?” When the Executive President calls, it’s hard to say “No,” so I said “Yes.” The Board authorized us to make the initial announcement at the Northwest Arkansas SAR Academy—we chose NASAR and Arkansas SAR faithful Susan Thrasher to read the message at noon on Saturday. We managed to keep it a secret from her until she read it. The expression on her face…. priceless. Melissa has set up an email for those of you who want to volunteer to help or who have ideas about the 2009 Conference. The email address is ARkanSAR@yahoo.com . It may default to all lower case but your emails should go through. We will occasionally email out some updates. Expect the first one shortly after we return from the 2008 Conference in Colorado Springs. We will be meeting with Megan and the board for preliminary discussion so we will give you a report in June. Thank you all for serving the citizens of The United States of America as SAR Responders.   Fred