In less than a week I will be another past RAFINO president.  Jan and I have enjoyed working with you and the elected and appointed association staff.  I will miss the joys of being a RAFINO leader.  But replacing leaders is a healthy part of the change dynamic.  The Army has rotated leaders frequently for many years with great success and we probably need to live according to our heritage.  

Some changes have occurred during my watch, but I challenge the next RAFINO president to reach forward, stretch, and implement the changes needed to continuously enrich the positive impact of our organization on the lives of its members.  There can be more to RAFINO than a semi-annual newsletter, biannual reunion and cruise.   We have about 705 wonderful, industrious and generous members.  They will support worthy missions designed to help those, especially Army Finance families, that need a boost over a hurdle.   Reunion attendance appears to be leveling around 200 (116 members plus guests).  What can you do to reach the other 589 and meet their needs?  Regional reunions may be one solution. 

Please permit me to take this opportunity to thank several outstanding RAFINO members for the work they do on your part.  These folks do their duties out of love, and I cannot think of a more sincere way to express our appreciation to them than with a heart-felt, "Thank You".   

Thank you, Phil and Jeanie Anderson for those Sunday afternoons and many other hours you gave each week billing, receiving and processing dues, accounting, data base posting, speaking and corresponding with RAFINO members and too many other tasks to list.  Phil, please continue your watch over this organization as you have done so often.  Jeanie, we are here to help you in any way possible. 

Warren Murray, many thanks to you and Barbara for providing a sensible leadership balance to the staff, helping to keep the organization moving forward.  The humor was great, but little compared to your drive to change the Reunion Hospitality Room from a sweat shop for some RAFINO members to an enjoyment for all Reunion attendees. 

Jim Martens, I thank you and Glenna for the hundreds of hours you have spent planning, and managing Reunion 2000.  Glenna, the planning session dinners were beyond the call of duty, delicious, and so appreciated. Jim, you have done a Soldier's job to create REUNION 2000 and I cannot wait to enjoy your hard work.  I do realize reunion planning and execution tasks are hard to accomplish and you have done it outstandingly.  

Thank you, Bob Flewelling for the unglamorous work you do daily to keep data moving in and around the organization.  I know this summer has been busy for you supporting the Reunion staff.  We will never understand all the things you do, but we appreciate your efforts and the outcome of virtually perfect membership records .    

Thank you, Claud and Virginia for accepting the editor's job and making many RAFINO breakthrough changes with your "Internet Machine". You have provided us the capability to communicate with our members quickly, accurately, and cheaply.  The RAFINO web site can provide our members so many wonderful advantages.  As we age, our new Internet connection can keep us in conversations with our friends no matter where they are, without the stress of travel or the expense of the telephone.  You, my friend, are doing wonderful RAFINO work. Oh, by the way, have you found a way yet to provide Internet equipment and connections to all of our members?  (ED. Note: Not yet Mr. President, but I am working on it.)

Thank you, Chick and Sjelja for being the backbone of this organization.  You have been decorated and awarded so many times for your RAFINO efforts.  Each was well earned and well deserved.  Please accept this is as another of those sincere "Thank you for RAFINO awards".  I hope we have treated your organizational "child" in a manner that reflects positively on your parental vision.  We will all strive to provide that child a great environment in which to grow and mature. 

To the new "Mr. President", I know you and your staff will do great things during the 21st Century.  Jan and I look forward to being members of your outfit for a long time. 

May God Bless RAFINO and all it's wonderful members.

Sincerely,