28 February 2003

  Dorothy KJELLSTROM broke her hip on arrival at son's home in Palm City.  Surgery was performed last Saturday 22 Feb.  She was moved, by ambulance, to Viera where the care center is only 2 miles from home.  She has long ordeal ahead and needs TLC from all, which she will get. The report on 1 March is that she is getting along quite well and her morale is OK.  She moved to a private room and is much happier.  John was with her for dinner the evening of 1 March and she sat up in a wing back recliner.  She is eating well and doing lots of therapy (both OT and PT).  The family Dr. from here at the clinic has been in 3 times and is satisfied with her progress.  No negatives to date.  He still wants practically no visitors and limited telephone calls, but some are tolerated.  The current phone number in Room 101 is 321-752-1000 ext 4052. 

  SFC Chuck WAGNER was in the Wurzburg Germany Finance office in the late seventies.  MAJ Hector PEREZ was the F&AO.  Three years ago Chuck had chest pains and had a stint installed but he did  not have an attack.  He is again having chest pains and being dizzy and they found a blockage.   He may have open heart surgery within the next 2 to 4 months.

  Lana WALKER died at 8:30 PM on February 23, 2003.  She was in no apparent pain at the time of death.  Funeral planning began in October when all three of them were experiencing major health problems.  The cat, Pelie, died in December and was cremated.  His ashes sit on Lana's dresser along side his picture.  Lana will go for "Direct Cremation" and her ashes will be held until Harvey passes.  At that time the three of them are to be burried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  Since Harvey is a retired Sergeant Major and POW this will be a formal military funeral.

  Tony RENFREY says he plans to see all the folks on the cruise in England.  August 25 is Tony’s birthday so we will get to celebrate it with him.

  Jane DIENER wife of LTC(R) Nick DIENER (last assignment Deputy of the Finance School) passed away on 26 February after a long valiant struggle with cancer.

  Membership Statistics are updated in the “What’s Hot or New” page.  We need your help getting new members.  As you can see we are down to 682 and dropping every month.  Possibly the most alarming statistic is the 199 that have not paid dues for 2003.  Please check your record on the web roster and, if it shows a number less than 2003 for Dues paid, get a check in to Dave pronto.  If you have trouble accessing the web roster just contact your web master for assistance.

  John & Shirley BAIN have a new address in Fort Worth, TX.

  Hon LEE has asked to be dropped from the rolls of RAFINO, no reason given

  Arthur BRADSHAW has a new address in Merced, CA.

21 February 2003

Robert L. TRACY, 90, died of pneumonia Feb. 10 at Inova Alexandria Hospital.  He was assistant comptroller for fiscal policy when he retired in 1973 after a 27-year career with the Army.  He served in the Army during World War II, first with a rifle company and later as an instructor at the Army Finance School. He attained the rank of major before his discharge from active duty in 1946. He was a colonel in the Army Reserve upon his retirement in 1974.  For his civilian work with the Army comptroller's office, he received the Meritorious Civil Service Award and twice received the Army Exceptional Civil Service Award.

  Chick CECCHINI said, “I didn't know Bob TRACY very well on a personal basis.  But because our boss and NSA Comptroller, Colonel Art FALLEN, knew him very well from the many years that Art was in the Department of the Army Budget office for the Office of Installations and Statistics. Bob TRACY was the fiscal/legal guy in that office. Art introduced me to him so that I could consult with him on such matters -- and I did.  I had some occasions to consult with Tracy on matters where I had concerns as to the propriety of using DA funds, i.e., one appropriation versus another.  He was very helpful when I could give him details but obviously could not very well when I couldn't give him critical details due to our cryptologic security restrictions--as you well appreciate.  Art FALLEN considered Bob TRACY -- his personal friend of many years -- to be the ultimate expert in the military fiscal/legal field.  

  Fred SCHRADER knew Bob TRACY in COA from 1969-71.  When I returned from RVN in 1969, one of the first things I did was to go and see Bob regarding  COA's actions on currency conversion requests resulting from the C-Day of October 1968.  As USARV Banking and Currency Officer I had forwarded a significant number of individual requests for currency conversion to COA.  Even those that we recommended for disapproval came back as approved.  It was almost as if there had been a rubber stamp.  For all practical purposes there was.  Bob told me that legally there was no grounds for turning down any conversion.  And he was the approving authority.  I wish that I had known that before writing and justifying -- with my well reasoned arguments -- why certain requests should not be approved.  At the time, I couldn't understand why I never won one.  Bob was a fine man.  I remember that he brought quality reasoning to any legal problem.

  Sid JOHNS sent in an e-mail with memories of our time together at Fort Knox back in 1965.  Sid also sent the following report of physical condition.  “I am still on ‘no weight bearing’ orders for my feet since my release from the hospital on 7 December 2001 where I was treated for severe cellulites and edema of the legs coupled with dehydration and mental disorientation.  In addition, the open ulcer on my big toe of the left foot, which I have had since 29 August 2001, is there, though much smaller, and to make matters all the more complicated I have developed a condition called Carcoot's Disease.  This breaks all the small bones in the foot (my right foot) destroys the tendons on the inside of the foot, but not those on the outside, thus letting those tendons pull the front part of the foot to the extreme outside.  All in all, I am still hanging in there!”

  Dan NEWMAN says: “I'm fine.  Chemo is all done.  I just have to have periodic blood tests and a colonoscopy every 2 or 3 years.  Results of recent colonoscopy were very gratifying.  Looks like I dodged a bullet this time!”

  Jim BLALOCK, Sid JOHNS, Mike LAMB, Frank MEDINA & Dan NEWMAN all have new e-mail addresses on the web roster.

14 February 2003

  Doug LAWHORN sent this beautiful item in:  He says that we here at the Space Coast Station get very involved and close to our astronauts.  They become family when they are on one of these missions.  To lose them is losing family. If you click on the blue "Seven Lost" you will see a beautiful sight.   It is awesome. 

  Jim CHAMBERS regrets that he must take another rain check for the visit by Dick DARCY and Fred SCHRADER.  He got a double whammy - Reba is undergoing eye surgery (detached retina, I believe) and Jim is beginning a new schedule of treatment.  He will keep in touch and hopes to get together in March for a Paddy's day drink.

  Ray & Lenore ALLRED visited both Harvey and Lana WALKER on Saturday, 8 Feb.  Harvey continues to improve.  He now sits up and feeds himself.  He now has a furious appetite.  We took him some ice cream and cookies and they vanished quickly.  So I see him continuing to do well.  He feels most comfortable about being in Texas.  I will take him some magazines and the Sunday newspaper.  Lana on the other hand is marking time.  She is in no pain, but has no appetite.  She also got some ice cream, but only ate two small bites.  I understand that it is not uncommon for people with her type of cancer to refuse to eat because it makes them so uncomfortable.  Don't know how much longer she will be in the hospital.  The plan is to move her to the same facility that Harvey is in when she no longer requires daily medical treatment.  She got two units of blood on Friday.  There is nothing that any of us can do for her except send cards and flowers.  She has all the cards pinned to a bulletin board in front of her bed.  The flowers are also on display at the foot of the bed.

7 February 2003

  Bob CAETANO recently had a couple of beers with Dick RANKIN at the Barefoot Bar at the Hale Koa.  They enjoyed talking over old times at Central F&AO in Vietnam.  Dick is on sabbatical from his teaching job writing a book.  Dick teaches Economics and Business to High Schoolers.  He says they are very enthusiastic to learn but there are no references that satisfy Dick’s requirements for the students he is teaching.  So Dick with the support of his administration is writing a book that is directly aimed at the High School group that he is teaching. 

  Ed DAVIDSON had heart bypass surgery on Saturday, 30 January 2003.  He had been experiencing chest pains for over a year but thought they would go away.  When they got worse, he saw a doctor and had the surgery the next day.   An almost record seven way bypass.  He is out of ICU and doing quite well.  (Editor:  This report was sent in by Bob WITHINGTON.)

  The Jerry LIPKA, Pat SHINE & Bruce HALL are off to Florida for some serious golf.  It is understood that Bruce and Jerry will have their hands full due to Pat’s reputation as being pretty good with the sticks.

  Sam HOUSTON answered the all points note and indicates that they are planning to be at reunion 2004 in Las Vegas.

Indiana public employees' retirement fund hires Bruce KIMERY as the new chief benefits officer The Chief Benefits Officer is responsible for the day-to-day oversight division, which includes among other functions: retirement and refund application processing, retirement  counseling, and inception of new members. 
Mr. Kimery came to PERF from the Department of Workforce Development, where he served for 12 years as the Chief Financial Officer and one year as Interim Executive Director.  Prior to his tenure in state government, he served 23 years in the United States Army and ended his military career as Deputy Director, Department of the Army Financial Operations, at the U.S. Army Finance Center.  Bruce is married with three children.  

Sally PEDERSEN is improving slowly but continues to have pain.  She is scheduled for some OBGYN surgery on 2/21.  Doctor after doctor have been, and still are, stymied.

  LTC. Fred (Chris) CHRISTOPHERSON did not make it
through heart surgery on 4 Feb 2003.  Chris had suffered from heart disease for some time and was hoping for a replacement.
Chris worked at the American Lung Association of Indiana as a controller for 12 years, retiring in 2001.  Previously he served with distinction in the U.S. Army for 24 years, retiring in 1985 as a Finance Corps LTC.  He served in the Vietnam War and completed two tours of duty in Germany.  He was a volunteer with the Indianapolis City Center.
Calling will be Sunday, 9 Feb from 4 to 8pm at the mortuary, with a rosary service at 7:30pm.  Service will be Monday 10 Feb  at 9:30am at Feeney-Hornack Shadeland Mortuary followed by the funeral mass at St. Lawrence Catholic Church.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

  Jim MARTEN’S comment about Chris: I am really sorry to hear that. I worked for him in Heidelberg. He was really a great guy!

Robby ROBSON’S comment about Chris:  I ditto what Jim said.  Chris was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.  Worked with him at the Finance School in the late 60's.

  COL Rob FRECKLETON and COL Sharon VOLGYI are new members.  Welcome to both of you.

  STATESIDE SPACE-A COMING FOR FAMILIES
Defense transportation officials have announced a one-year test to offer space-available travel privileges within the continental United States to family members accompanied by their sponsors. The test begins April 1, 2003, and will continue through March 31, 2004. Space-A flights will be available to dependents of both active-duty members and military retirees. Participants will have the same eligibility category as their sponsors. To register for Space-A travel, active-duty sponsors must be on leave or a pass and remain in that status while awaiting travel and through the entire travel period. Retirees may sign up 60 days in advance but not before the test begins April 1. Additional information is available at http://public.scott.af.mil/index.html.

A very beautiful memorial for the members of the Columbia can be found at: http://www.saintsandheroes.com/columbia