RAFINO Report
ISSUE 23 - Winter 1999 - Return to Index

Bits 'N Pieces

The Logan Herald of Utah back last spring carried an article with a headline reading "Foundation president donates $1 million."  Who did this?  Why, our own Vernon Buehler, president of the Sunshine Terrace Foundation who is quoted as saying, " …its my responsibility to set the path for donations."  Vern has been the president of this foundation for over two years and has been involved with this assisted living foundation since the mid-80s.  Even though Vern made the donation with no strings attached, the board chose to recognize his generosity by renaming the foundation's assisted living center to honor Vernon Buehler and his late wife, MaRee Clawson Buehler.

$     $     $     $     $

Duncan Chamberlin, when acknowledging a returned photo of his WWII 42nd Finance Disbursing Section, mentioned that when looking at those faces again he recalled the experiences of the members over their 30 months together.  During that time they were formed and trained into an FDS, went to England to experience the buzz bombs, crossed over to a French cow pasture just over the hill from Omaha Beach eight days after D-Day -- staying there for several months while operating in tents and fox holes.  We watched hundreds (swarms) of bombers come over and blast St. Lo which was close by; watched "Bed-check Charlie" lazily hover over us while our anti-aircraft outfits filled the sky with tracer bullets trying to knock him down (they never did to the best of my knowledge); then after General Patton broke out we followed him for at least a month-moving each night, digging slit trenches, putting up tents -- and our folding tables.  We followed Patton across France, Belgium, Holland and to the outskirts of Berlin (with the battle of the Bulge) and then withdrew to Paris.  We were serenaded by the famous "Axis Sally"; went up to the front to recover a payroll from an officer who couldn't leave his artillery unit; and later flew in a  2-seater plane to London with a foot locker full of bloodied currency from dead G.Is; visited a concentration camp within days after it had been liberated and saw walking skeletons in prisoner garb who had not yet left, and all the time paying all manner of pay, travel and other vouchers.  (Ed: Duncan, you certainly had a busy, adventurous WWII and I know that you just skimmed the surface!  You clearly made your contribution.)

$     $     $     $     $

KENNETH and RUTH MONROE write to mention that in May 99 they moved from Tampa Bay, Florida to Sun City Center, Florida.  Ken would like very much to attend our reunion next September in DC, commenting that it would be especially interesting to him because that is where he was a private, U.S. Army Air Corps, having enlisted on 23 February 1934.  (About the time you receive this issue Ken will be ready to celebrate his 88th birthday!)  Having been restricted to his bed for eleven months in 1996, having three major back operations in which two steel rods and a steel plate were inserted in his back, and not being able to walk more than 100 feet at a time, he realizes that realistically he will not be able to travel to that D.C. reunion.  (Ed: Our best wishes Ken, we'll miss you.)

$     $     $     $     $

GRAHAM JOHNSON sent a brief note to say how much he and JOAN had enjoyed the Mediterranean tour and especially to compliment Bob Radomski dubbing him as RAFINO's "Cruise master par excellance!"

$     $     $     $     $

BOB CAETANO on 20 Nov 99, gave up the "good life" i.e., his work-a-day status with the State of Washington, in favor of becoming "retired-retired."  Now he has to content himself with more mundane things since, such as traveling to Mexico, Hawaii, Europe, etc."  (Ed: Don't worry, Bob, you'll settle down and enjoy life soon.)

$     $     $     $     $

JOE CLUBA recently sent a change of address to Bob Flewelling indicating he had moved from Henderson, Nevada to Las Vegas, California.  Bob realized from the ZIP codes received that Joe had simply moved down the road a bit and was still in Nevada.  He chided Joe a bit for the typo but Joe just could not pass up an opportunity to make something of this so he replied stating, "My ten listed them as follows:

10. The local Las Vegas Review-Journal ran a cartoon depicting 2 signs-one showing "Leaving California" and the other "Entering Nevada/California.
9. Our parking lot is full of cars with California plates.
8. The newspaper ended their article with "California GO HOME!"
7. My home is full of visitors from California.
6. I noticed that Desmond Llewelyn had died, and thought that was your uncle.
5. My computer thought it was an IBM 402 and was searching for punch cards.
4. I had to buy a pair of long pants and my Florida body rejected the transplant.
3. My nephew in California called and said he was starting his own internet company.
2. My sister in California called and said her nephew in San Diego owns an encryption company.
1. A palmetto bug from Florida wormed into my word processor and changed the words. (Ed. Chuckle!)

$     $     $     $     $

JOE BRIGANDI when sending in his membership renewal form pointed out, "It seems to me that I put things away lately in a safe place.  But then I can't remember what I chose as the safe place.  TRUDY always says "the house loses nothing."  I always respond that the house didn't put it in a safe place I did.  It appears to me that as I grow older the need for peace, love and the nearness of my maker becomes greater.  (Ed: Yes, Joe, there are a lot of us in the same boat with you.)

$     $     $     $     $

(Ed: Apropos the theme Joe set above, following is a 'filler" I've had around for a long time.  (As this is my final newsletter it is therefore my last chance to use it.):
"Just a line to you, my friend, to say I'm living and that I'm not among the dead.  Though I'm getting more forgetful and mixed up in the head.  I got used to my arthritis, to my dentures I'm resigned, I can manage my bifocals, but God I miss my mind.  For sometimes I can't remember when I stand at the foot of the stairs, if I must go up for something, or have I just come down from there.  And before the fridge so often, my poor mind is filled with doubt.  Have I just put food away, or have I come to take some out?  And there is a time when it is dark with my nightcap on my head, I don't know if I'm retiring or just getting out of bed.  So, if it is my turn to write to you, there's no need getting sore. I may think what I have written, and don't want to be a bore.  So remember that I love you, and wish that you were near.  But now it is nearly mail time so must say goodbye dear, There I stand beside the mail box with face so red.  Instead of mailing you my letter, I had opened it instead!"