2000 REUNION
contributed by Dick Darcy
If you attended the RAFINO/RAFINCO Reunion 2000 Washington, DC extravaganza, you need not read further--unless you want to relive parts of that wonderful event.
While arrivals began as early as Wednesday, August 30, the reunion action began on Thursday evening as certain stalwart volunteers arrived at the well-stocked hospitality room to stuff reception registrant bags with Metrorail family maps, National Chemistry Week brochures and the now treasured Reunion Activities Book. (Expect to see it offered on ebay at some future date as a valuable historical document). John and Maria Sperry, joined by an enthusiastic bunch reinforced by available libations, ably led the job--done in record time.
Friday was an early arrival pre-registration day and many took advantage of this capital city to tour its famous monuments while others, led by Artie Artega, headed for the links. Claud and Virginia Wallace had an early delivery of the activities book and were off and running to the Tourmobile tram. Your reporter stayed at his place of employment on Friday, but a short visit to the hospitality suite late Friday afternoon and early evening led him to conclude, despite the mean age of 67 years reported by Bob Flewelling in his management reports, this reunion crowd was here to party and didn't need an agenda. Warren Murray and Jim Martens had preloaded the room with a ton of "low fat" snacks and highly charged beverages. Claud hooked his e-toy laptop to the door-prize TV and, after an embarrassing but merciful delay while Claud beta tested his hardware, began showing "Power Point" slides of the 1999 reunion cruise. Chairs were provided for the three people truly interested. Your reporter left early for home but next day there were at least apocryphal stories that the hard-core had to be asked to leave at closing time. Jim Martens had left instruction with hotel security to be especially gentle with the reluctant. Sometime during the evening, between 1900 and 2300, bridge master-general Russ Delaney led a bridge tournament of past masters through their paces in a quiet room quite separate from the hospitality suite. Good news for both groups.
Saturday was registration day for the new arrivals and there was plenty of free time for sightseeing. The weather was dicey but the hardy got out and about in any case. People began reading the activities book but not before repairing to the well-kept and well-stocked hospitality room. (No kidding, the hotel did a superb job of keeping the room tidy all weekend despite the crowds best efforts to undo it.) Jim Martens reports that, over the course of the weekend, 128 members and 102 spouses collectively drank: 4 kegs of beer, 130 (1.5 liter) bottles of wine, 12 gallons of coffee, 324 cans of soda, 19 liter-size bottles of soda, 8 bottles of Bloody Mary Mix, 5 gallons of OJ, and we ate 298 Danish and 34 containers (1,632 oz) of (heart-healthy) snacks.) Curtis Lee brought a variety of macadamia nuts, including the chocolate covered variety, from Hawaii for us to enjoy.
Familiar faces began popping up everywhere and handshakes, hugs, and even damp eyes were de rigueur. The hospitality room opened on a large balcony whose outside steps led to a very inviting swimming pool. Drizzly weather kept the sugarplums inside but the smokers and the hardy stood outside under oversized table umbrellas and socialized. For example, Leo and Judy Mansi were seen tête-à-tête with Dave and Bonnie Mikkelson. Dick and Sally Pedersen were seen, at various times, making mental notes useful for 2002 planning. Meanwhile, John and Maria Sperry were manning the registration table with Earl Albers, Terry Takamori, and others. Bob Radomski was in his element selling raffle tickets to anyone he could, shall we say euphemistically, strong-arm. (Jim Martens reports that Bob's efforts resulted in a collection of $1,880.) Debbie Scearce sold White House holiday ornaments on behalf of a Credit Union college scholarship fund. (Your reporter's ornament will make a dandy bread and butter gift to his Australian hosts in Melbourne in late September. Pass my son the scholarship application form, Debbie.) The registration crew were absolutely great and ably made sure that each attendee or couple received a souvenir shirt(s) and baseball cap(s), prepaid ticket(s) to the jazz brunch cruise and monuments tourmobile tram, and a tote bag to carry it all. The handsome tote bags, while they lasted, were complements of Carol and Artie Arteaga and the Defense Credit Union Council.
Saturday night's scheduled pool party began sharply for some at 1900 hours. Dave & Bonnie Mikkelson kicked off the pool party in their Washington Plaza bath robes. Glenna, not recognizing Dave in his bare feet and bathrobe, commented to Bonnie; "Someone needs to help that poor man in the robe; he must be lost!!!" Later that evening Jim Martens followed his leader and changed into his bathrobe, with the addition of his dandy reunion souvenir cap. For some, not unlike your reporter, the party was nothing more than a continuation of the great ongoing fete that had started when the hospitality room opened. By now, most of the registrants had arrived and had checked in. Curt Lee came from Honolulu, Jim and Norma Mauldin came in from Green Valley, Arizona, and Dick and Kay Shaffer from East Point, Georgia. Fred Schrader even managed to cross the Potomac from Alexandria, Virginia. Baton Rouge, Louisiana was represented by Bob and Helen Young, a delightful couple this reporter had the privilege of meeting. Graham and Joan Johnson made it from Acworth, GA while Bruce and Sharon Hall led the well-represented Indianapolis chapter. The event was also well attended by past and future RAFINO presidents such as Chick Cecchini, Russ Chapin, Hank Neill, George Beckett, and Morgan "Mo" Denny. Some attendees actually went swimming but most were too busy renewing old and dear acquaintances and using broad mental reservation to revise history.
Sunday morning began early for the 150-odd enthusiastic sailors who had signed up for the SS Odyssey Jazz brunch, which left from 600 Water Street on the Washington Channel. Traveling to the boat by car, Metrorail, and taxi, our hungry boaters began boarding at 10:45. Before we had set sail, the line to the well-appointed buffet had formed and many had begun their repast. This reporter worked the line to greet Casey and Diana Naatjes, Chick and Sjelja Cecchini, and Ron and Karen Gifford, among others. The dining area was awash with the who's who among the membership. Daytime stars included Dick Fazakerley and Terry, Paul Burns and Ann, and Bob Gordon and Cookie. Other notables included Terry and Martha Arndt, Bruce and Sharon Hall, Virgil Richard, the Ralph Dixons, and the Jim Chambers. The boat took the happy passengers down the Washington Channel and up the Potomac River to Georgetown. The view of the city, especially that of the Lincoln Memorial from the riverside, was, in this reporter opinion, wonderful. The weather, overcast at times, was sufficiently pleasant to lure some of the post-brunch diners out on the deck. After brunch desserts were stupendous and the names of those observed returning for seconds and more shall remain behind this reporter's keyboard firewall.
As if the cruise weren't enough action for one day, after well-deserved naps, our reunion group began a two-hour Sunday evening cocktail party at 1800 hours in a room off the lobby. Warren Murray helped with attendance by closing the hospitality room for the event. Live music accompanied by a local chanteuse added just the right touch of warmth to the event. Our revelers scattered in their own pursuits after the party. Some, such as Jim and Glenna Martens, were seen enjoying the live musical trio in the hotel cocktail lounge.
Monday morning brought with it the scheduled business meeting led by Prez George Beckett. George was under pressure to conclude the meeting in time for the attendees to board the buses to take them to the wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns. George did a masterful job orchestrating the meeting and squeezing in reports from Colonel Charles Walker, Finance School Commandant, and CSM Samuel Mollock.
The buses were on time and those going made their way across the river to Virginia. Most arrived in time to see the pristine military performance of the members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry (Old Guard) when they changed the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at 1100 hours. Then, while the RAFINO/RAFINCO crowd tensed with anticipation, Chick Cecchini, George Beckett and John Medley, following the Sergeant of the Guard's precisely whispered instructions, placed a wreath at the Tomb. All froze before the sarcophagus (engraved with the immortal words "Here rests in honored glory an American Soldier known but to God") while the ceremoniously dressed bugler from the United States Army Band (Pershing's Own) blew Taps across the verdant hills. The ceremony, flawlessly executed, was a timeless tribute to our fallen comrades. Following immediately, all attendees repaired to the adjoining open-air amphitheater where Claud Wallace offered an ecumenical prayer and read the names of those of our comrades who had passed since the last reunion. All returned to Washington by various routes to prepare for the evenings festivities-the gala banquet and awards ceremonies.
On Monday morning, Warren Murray led a group of those who chose a visit to the Holocaust Museum in lieu of the wreath laying ceremony. He reports that all were very appreciative to have had the chance to visit so solemn a place.
All who came to the banquet Monday evening were ready for a good time. The crowd was abuzz during the pre-dinner party while pictures were taken and your reporter (who later acted as banquet MC) was busy coordinating the post dinner awards with CSM Mollock and the colors presentation ceremony with the MDW furnished color guard. Promptly at 1930 hours, the banquet hall doors were opened and guests filed to their pre-assigned seats. After colors presentation and the collective pledge of allegiance, glasses were charged and traditional toasts rang out from tables about the hall. ("Ladies and gentlemen, a toast to the Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States" was followed by eight other toasts.) After all were seated, George Beckett rose and made a point of order. Upon recognition, George proposed a toast to our beloved fallen comrade and Society Secretary/Treasurer, Lieutenant Colonel Philip E. Anderson. A heart-felt and throaty response was heard.
After dinner activities included Regimental awards presentations by the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment Brigadier General (Retired) Roger W. Scearce acting on behalf of Colonel Walker, Finance School Commandant, who was unable to attend. RAFINO service awards were also presented. (Awardees names are contained elsewhere on this site.) George Beckett affectionately presented roses to Glenna Martens, Sjelja Cecchini, and Jan Beckett and several gag gifts to Chick Cecchini to help him deal with Claud Wallace, his RAFINO report editor-successor. Several messages were received at the podium for members of the audience and were read aloud by the MC. Notable was Dave Mikkelson's message from Ali Akbar Rafsanjanni who wanted Dave to know that his Persian Rug order was in. Dave was cautioned that this was his "final notice." Claud Wallace received a cautionary note that the banquet hall was surrounded and that he was to not even think about putting on a slide show. It was rather ominously signed, "Janet." On a serious note, George Beckett got a message from "Happy Hair, Your Scalps Best Friend" asking him to confirm his transplant appointment. Finally, there were several ambiguous messages for your reporter's spouse alluding to survivor benefits, a memorial urn, and a stonecutter's need for a date.
Upon conclusion of the banquet, many revelers repaired to the hospitality suite to review the evening and weekend's events and to say bittersweet goodbyes to all their old and (in some cases) new friends. Promises to attend the 2002 reunion were routinely exchanged. All would agree that these events are cathartic, invigorating, and wonderfully refreshing. For this we thank Chick Cecchini for his foresight in organizing the Society and all those who have followed and taken up the torch. Bless us all.
/S/ Dick Darcy, MC