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RAFINO Report $ $ $ $ $ JOE and MIL FEENEY came across a death notice in a West Point Assembly magazine which reported that DAVE FINK, USMA Class of '45, an Infantry officer and a former member of the FSUSA Staff & Faculty in the early '60s, died 1 Feb 98 in Richmond, VA. $ $ $ $ $ On the walls of the city of Albuquerque Convention Center in the People's Hallway, there are photos of city's Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Should you wander down that hallway, you'll chance to see the familiar face of AL ABBOTT (now 86 years of age) smiling down on you. Annually, the Senior Foundation of that city screens nominees who have been leaders in public service both professionally and personally. They are recognized for helping the community in government, education, environment, arts, and social issues. After Al's 28 years of active duty and a second career as a teacher, he was the director of a volunteer tutoring center for students. He also served on the Crime Victims Assistance Board, the Friendship Force and the Albuquerque Council for International visitors. Al is credited with helping develop the University of New Mexico's Life Long Learning Center. On top of that, he also raised money for victims of natural disasters in Mexico and Italy. ( Ed: Even though Al's now legally blind, like the Energizer bunny he just won't stop!) $ $ $ $ $ SHEILA BISCHOFF, who attended our reunion at Columbia, SC, placed in the registration packet of each widow or widower also attending a note written by hand on beautiful stationery decorated with butterflies. It read: "Dear Friends, Welcome to the RAFINO reunion where we hope to get together and meet each other. I have been a widow for three years. I came to my first reunion two years ago and had a wonderful time seeing old friends. This time I hope to get together with other widows and widowers. There are 135 of us. At present, I believe 16 of us are present at this reunion. Anyone with a Butterfly sticker or a Bird sticker on our name tags is one of us. I hope to contact each of you so we can all get together for dinner, etc. See you soon, Sheila." (Ed: Sheila has volunteered to see what she can get going which would be of interest to and benefit for RAFINO widows and widowers who are interested. We should be hearing more from her about this soon.) $ $ $ $ $ Just before Veterans Day this year, JIM MARTENS forwarded to RAFINO the below reprinted poem via the internet which had in turn been forwarded to him by a member of his family. The originator of the message, who had closed his message with the USMC admonition of "Semper Fi!", suggested that it be passed on to his buddies. The poem was authored by Father DENIS EDWARD O'BRIEN, USMC: "Remember, November 11th is Veterans Day It is the soldier, not the reporter, $ $ $ $ $ RAFINO thanks DICK DAHONEY for continuing to distribute to our members by Email the active duty Finance Flashes. The "Finance Flashes" give us a live connection with those carrying out today the FC functions we once did. (It's like looking over the shoulders of our successors LIVE! But remember, NO kibitzing!) If you have an Email address but aren't currently receiving Dick's Finance Flashes, he will be happy to add you to the distribution if you send him via Email your Email address to http://www.asafm.army.mil:8080/~2. $ $ $ $ $ Another ode to the GI in parody form appropriate to this season of the year was sent to us by TED PICKETT, who you will remember is not only a member of RAFINO but is the Honorary Colonel of the 72nd Armor Regiment! The 72nd served with great distinction during the Korean campaign. Ted was a member of the 72nd in those days. He furnished us a copy of a poem titled, Korea Christmas Card, written by LTC DARRELL T. RATHBUN of St. Petersburg, Florida. It was dedicated to those fallen comrades who made the supreme sacrifice in the "Land of the Morning Calm": $ $ $ $ $ The Night Before Christmas |