To all Gallagher's and Good People of Vail,

Yesterday I had the good fortune during the course of my efforts in
Government Relations at the State Capital in Des Moines to spend some
time with the Iowa Senate Majority Leader John (Jack) Kibbie
(D-Emmetsburg) along with Ms. Wheelchair Iowa (see attached picture).

During the course of our conversation, the Senator mentioned his long
standing friendship with my father - the late Honorable James V.
Gallagher during their service in the Iowa House and Senate during the
60's - 70's and early 80's.  I had always known that Dad and Sen. Kibbie
were good friends, but he mentioned that actually our families go back
as well.

Senator Kibbie (God Bless him the good Irishman that he is) mentioned
that his mother (Nell Kenny) was from Vail Iowa.  Also, that my
grandmother Benita (then Fitzgibbons) and his mother were close
friends... and that Grandma Benita had even hosted his mother's wedding
shower back in the 20's.

What I was not sure is that his family name was KENNY or KENNA.  The
Senator asked if I knew of any of his relation that might still be in
the Vail area.

We had a good long conversation about Dad and the Senators fond memories
of Vail.

All the best...
John E. Gallagher