George, Our Prez, Sez:

     GREETINGS!  Our best wishes to each of you.  Since our last RAFINO Newsletter, several events have started, some are well on their way, but very  little is finalized.  Accordingly, we will make this a “newsy” letter with a variety of information. 

RAFINO  “Cruise Captains”, Bob and Mary Lou Radomski, have arranged a wonderful RAFINO Fall 99 cruise throughout the Mediterranean.  The price is outstanding and the ship is quickly filling up.   If you are interested in this cruise, you should contact Bob or Mary Lou directly and quickly.

About Reunions: J Jim and Glenna Martens are making excellent progress      in the planning of those activities that will make our next reunion--scheduled for Labor Day Weekend 2000--as always, so very enjoyable.   In January we inspected the Washington Plaza Hotel and found the facilities to be most suitable for our group.  The hotel is large enough to provide sufficient housing,  ballrooms for meals, and meetings, as well as  a great hospitality room - yet small enough to expedite maneuvering between locations.   We sampled the food and Warren Murray pronounced the hotel cuisine to be excellent.  The Martens are now forming sub-committees;  so the work is under way.  If you would like to assist Jim and Glenna by serving on a sub-committee, please let them know soonest  (Tel: 703-455-3306).  We hope you ALL will plan to spend Labor Day 2000 weekend with your retired Finance Corps comrades in Washington DC.  Incidentally, Mo Denny distributed the photo books from the Columbia Reunion late in June. If you attended the Reunion and have not received your book yet, give Mo a call (803-699-5320).

Special Greetings to Roger and Debbie Scearce -- we welcome you formally to our organization.  Roger retired during the Spring and is now a full fledged RAFINO member in his right as a retiree.  We thank both of you for your unwavering support from the active duty side, and look forward to your continued assistance in the important work of RAFINO.  We want to welcome all new members!  Thanks for joining the best retired military organization around!

Paul Burns has relinquished his position as Honorary Colonel of the F.C. Regiment to Roger Scearce.  Paul and Ann, we thank you for your superb past and continuing support of the Finance Corps and RAFINO. 

Recently we became aware of an Internet Web Site and Electronic Newsletter for Federal Employees, called “FEDweek”.  The weekly newsletter is free and contains a lot of useful information for RAFINO folks, including the status of Congressional legislation impacting military retirees.  The address is: http://www.fedweek.com

Between 18 and 22 million former and current service members and civilian employees are eligible to receive certificates honoring them for their role in winning the Cold War.  If you served in or was employed by any of the uniformed services any time during the period from September 1945 through December 1991, you may be eligible for the Cold War Certificate.  Internet address:  https://coldwar.army.mil/default.htm   Regular mail: Cold War Recognition, 4035 Ridge Top Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.  The certificate is quite attractive.

We hope each of you is having a safe and enjoyable summer

Sincerely,

George and Jan