From the desk of the RAHSA President

It has occurred to me that I wonder if you are thinking the same thing I am. If our minds are running in the same direction since we lived and went to school together in Rochefort? 

I wonder if because we were such a close knit group of classmates whether we commuted to the school every day or if we were staying in the dorm and going home on the weekends; Sharing clothes, love and laughter in the spirit of youth; I just wonder if being exposed to life on our own at such an early age had anything to do with what we have become today. 

If being rotated back to the states after spending those learning years in a foreign country was a shock to our future endeavors. For some of us it was the most time we had lived in one spot in our parent’s military careers. I believe “You are where you’ve been.” Yes, it’s true I am a realist, but not to the point of incompetency. I realize our lives and society has changed since Rochefort. However, shades of purple and white and a rocket’s trail still hang loose in my mind and heart and that can be as real as life. Once a Rocket, always a Rocket.

By this time I know you are wondering; what is Lance getting to; in what direction is this conversation headed? Well, here it is;

I had a close friend several years ago and at Christmas time he would always say to me, “I don’t know how many Christmas’ I have left.” In the month following Christmas and after one of those statements………he died. Bob left behind so many memories that would never be shared again with anyone. I am just so thankful that I had the fortune of spending his last Christmas with him. Others were not so fortunate as they didn’t take the time to spend with him before he passed away.

And so it goes my friends and classmates; People with whom I have amassed so many lasting memories; people whom I shall never forget and hope not to be forgotten. How many Christmas’ do we have? How many reunions do we pass up until it is too late. Why do we procrastinate and say, “I’ll try to make it next year when next year may never come?

Don’t pass up this opportunity to meet again with your friends, some that you may only see once in two years or perhaps have not seen since leaving Rochefort. You can take many trips around the world; to far away places with strange sounding names, but I dare say that none will be so delightful and fulfilling than to re-visit a part of your youth that remembers you. 

I know that Rochefort is not the only place you have amassed memories of, but it has to be right up there with some of the best. Please take the time to come to the 2013 Indianapolis, Indiana reunion because we don’t know how many Christmas’ we have left……………..only God does. Date: 26-28 September