This book contains greetings, a program of events, and committee membership lists for the 32nd Western Area Conference of The Links, Inc. The conference is a biennial meeting of chapters of The Links, Inc. located in the western United States. The theme for this year's conference is "Promoting -- Programs, Principles, Purpose."

"This booklet is an update of the historical facts of the Western Area of The Links, Incorporated published in 1993. It is designed to present an objective and accurate account of the growth and accomplishments of our Western Area from 1954 to 1995.... [T]his booklet is not intended as an in-depth report of the program activities of each individual chapter. It is included only to give us an overview of the nature and variety of activities and projects that are being implemented, thus enhancing the growth and development of our area and our national body as a whole." -- Preface. It contains information about local chapters (including boundaries) and former area directors and officers as well as lists of area programs, committee chairpersons, past area conferences, awards, and members who have previously held national office.

Conference proceedings include a program of events, reports, financial statements, committee membership lists, and other information relevant to the meeting of the Western Area division of The Links, Inc. The conference is a biennial meeting of chapters of The Links, Inc. located in the western United States. The theme for this year's conference is "Promoting Programs, Principles, Purpose."

This book contains reports from the officers of the Western Area of The Links, Inc. presented to the 32nd Western Area Conference. In addition to the officer reports, it also provides information about the organization's activities related to the arts, community service, and national and international issues of concern. The conference is a biennial meeting of chapters of The Links, Inc. located in the western United States.

A collection of letters by army Dr. L. D. Collins from his tour of duty in World War II with the 56th Evacuation Hospital, chronicling his experiences and general history of WWII. He includes letters from his time stationed in Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, and Anzio Beach.

Interview with Frank Tremaine, a journalist from Detroit, Michigan, regarding his memories of working as a correspondent for the United Press of the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. Tremaine discusses Pearl Harbor, the political environment of the WWII era, major military figures, and a description of the Japanese surrender and ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri.

Fitch begins with a summary of the naval career of his father, Admiral Aubrey Fitch. Fitch joined the Navy in early 1942. He was assigned to the USS Wasp (CV-7) just before it sank, then to the USS Hornet (CV-8) just before it sank. He was finally assigned to CASU-3 and sent to Guadalcanal. He reflects on what it was like for him in the service while having a high-ranking father. In April, 1943, Fitch transferred aboard the USS Nicholas (DD-449). Fitch shares several anecdotes of his experiences aboard the Nicholas while engaged in the fight around the Solomon Islands and in the Slot. During the Battle of Kula Gulf, Fitch went aboard a whaleboat and rescued survivors from the USS Helena (CL-50). Fitch attended a gunnery school at Noumea before reporting aboard the USS La Vallette (DD-448) in October 1943. He describes being at the Marshall Islands invasion. In July 1944 Fitch returned to the US and put the USS Benner (DD-807) into commission. He recalls battling kamikazes while aboard the Benner on station off the coast of Japan toward the end of the war. Fitch returned to the US and was discharged in May 1946. Includes an appendix …

Interview with John Bumgarner, a physician and an Army veteran, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese following the fall of the Philippines during World War II. Bumgarner discusses the fall of Bataan and his capture, Bilibid Prison in Manila (1942), Cabanatuan (1942-1944), the hell ship to Japan (1944), Hakodate, Hokkaido (1944-1945), and his liberation.

Interview with Ray Hunt. Hunt joined the Army Air Corps in early 1939. After training, Hunt became an aircraft mechanic and went to the Philippines in November, 1941. He was captured on Bataan and made a prisoner of war. Hunt describes his experiences on the Death March. Along the way, he escaped and was aided by Filipinos until he was healthy enough to join a guerrilla band in Tarlac. Hunt describes his activities and the command structure of his guerrilla organization. When the Allies invaded Luzon, Hunt’s band of guerrillas created havoc behind enemy lines. He received a battlefield commission retroactively sometime in 1945. He stayed in the Army, retiring in 1959.