Thursday, July 01, 2010
Subject: Newlsletter  

     Years ago Gene Autry sang, "Back in the saddle again!" I am honored and humbled to, once again, be elected as your National Vice President, , at the 37th Biennial National Convention in La Crosse, WI.  I am glad to be "back in the saddle".

     I send thanks to Rich Renz for his two years of service and congratulations on his election as Area 2 Director. Thanks to Ruth Elyea, who stepped away from her position of Area 4 Director.  Ruth has been a dedicated and hard worker for N.A.R.V.R.E and we all thank her for the years she served. Congratulations to Roy Palmer, who was elected as Area 4 Director.

     I attended the Railroad Retirement Board Information Conference in K.C. on Friday, June 4, along with our newly elected National Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Richard Duley and Area 4 Director Mr. Roy Palmer. This was followed by a series of meetings:  Sedalia, Unit 42, June 9; Moberly, Unit 165, June 10; Moberly, BMWE picnic, June12; and Decatur, IL, Unit 77 annual membership drive, June 19. Area 4 director Roy Palmer was also in attendance at these meetings.
     We celebrated Memorial Day, May 31, and Independence Day, July 4, remembering those military men and women who gave all for us to have the freedom we have today.We, members of N.A.R.V.R.E. must remember the past; looking back to recall what has been done to ensure our retirement along with a look to the future and the need to protect that retirement for others. The ‘History of N.A.R.V.R.E.’, written by Mary David, and edited by the late Walter Lietzen, should be on every Unit's reading list.  Can you imagine the time that it took to put together a book such as this? A link to Mary's document is on the N.A.R.V.R.E. web site www.narvre.org. Mary has now retired after many years of dedicated service.

     Walter Lietzen wrote in his Editor’s Preface “…the most general reason that can be given for compiling a history of NARVRE is  that history means nothing other than the thoughtful  consideration of past events that have shaped the present. It is this sense of history that sets mankind apart from all creation. It is the past that gives meaning to the present and hope for the future (p. ix).”  This sums up why we must all be concerned about membership. We all should plan to continue the ‘membership committee’ started by Rich Renz, and when our office is moved, we will begin more formal work on that. More about this important work will be included in future Newsletters and on the N.A.R.V.R.E. web page.
     You are important to N.A.R.V.R.E.; please continue to make N.A.R.V.R.E. important to you.

George Wisdom