Great ACE Day

Great ACE Day, or GAD as it's often referred, is an event that is celebrated annually on August 1st.  In 1987, Kenneth C. Jenkins (ACE #17) had a brainstorm and named it Great ACE Day.  The first four "targets" and cover "themes" were selected by Ken.

After Ken left ACE, the ACE officers picked the theme, but the membership nominated and then voted for the GAD target.  The theme portion of the process is not always utilized, usually determined by the current president.  At some point in time it was decided not to have a theme but to check the annual membership roster for the collecting interests for the one nominated, and to design covers around the recipient's collecting or other interests. This makes cover designs more personal to the GAD target.

Once the GAD target is determined, the selected recipient would be inundated with covers - all marked GAD (# xx), and postmarked August 1.  It's a fun event and all ACE members are encouraged to participate by sending GAD covers to all members of ACE while sending several extras to the GAD target.

From an old ACE handbook, here are some "tips" from Ken Jenkins for consideration during the GAD process:

1)   Make a friendship stamp (Local Post)

2)   Design a special cover.  Mail extra covers to favorite ACE'ers

3)   Mail special covers to members you haven't written to in the past

4)   Mail your covers early on August 1st

This is the premier annual ACE event, and all members are encouraged to participate.  This is a once in a lifetime honor bestowed on an ACE member; final recipients can only be selected once!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, what is it like to be named the annual GAD Target?  John Martin (ACE 343) was the honoree in 2004, and found a unique way to describe his reactions to the honor: in one of his familiar Galvin Gazette formats.  Click on the link below to read his tale of gratitude.