Hail and Farewell
TROA welcomes new friends and says good-bye to dear ones.
By Lt. Gen. Michael A. Nelson, USAF-Ret.

OK, so you expected to see a new, younger face in the picture on this page. Instead you get the same well-traveled image you've seen for seven years. Rare mistake by our world-class magazine staff? Never happen. No, it's me — again — happy to carry on for a few extra months until my relief, Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, USN, can finish up his career in the Navy and make the transition to Alexandria from the Pentagon. Right now, that looks like early September.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that our association is going to flourish as never before under Norb's leadership. His reputation in the Navy is one of deep commitment to the people of the service, culminating in the terrific work he has done for sailors in his current job as the chief of naval personnel. He knows his way around the Hill, too, having led the Navy's legislative office in his previous job. I have yet to hear anything but enthusiastic praise from people he's worked with, and admiration for him has been especially noticeable from people he has supervised over the years. Plus, it is absolutely clear that he is committed to TROA, is looking forward to meeting as many of our members as possible, and relishes advancing the association's agenda.

It gets even better. My wife, Barbie, and I invited Norb and his wife, Judy, over to dinner not long ago, and the four of us ended up talking and enjoying each other's company around the kitchen table until pretty late in the evening, as though we'd been friends for years. They are a great pair — interested and interesting, easy to get to know, enthusiastic, down-to-earth — and Judy will be a much-loved partner in Norb's work for our members. This is a match (theirs and TROA's) made in heaven. We all have a lot to look forward to.

Sadly, the continuous process of change in the staff also includes those who leave, which prompts me to note that we are losing 78 years of TROA experience in three treasured friends in the staff this spring. Though you may not be familiar with their names, many of you will recognize their work. Jan Engler, who has been here for 37 years (she claims to have been hired while in grade school), is "Mrs. TROA Scholarship." Thousands of students know her as the caring person who managed their loans and grants, always understanding and always helpful. Sue Boyd, a mere 30-year youngster, has tirelessly gathered the job listings that have served as employment opportunities for the countless participants in TROA's Officer Placement Service (TOPS). And CWO3 Patrick DeCrane, USA-Ret., a whippersnapper at 11 years of service, has been one of three world-class experts in our Benefits Information Department (formerly Personal Affairs), answering thousands of inquiries, working directly for our members with government agencies, and speaking to groups across the country at retiree activity days.

Of course, these are great losses, but it is heartening to note that we continue to attract talented people — just like those retiring — who see in this opportunity not just a job but a mission, a chance to do something useful for some very deserving people and for this great country. We'll see some tears as we say good-bye and wish them happy retirements, but we'll also be uplifted by the certainty of regeneration, of which Norb and Judy Ryan will become a part this fall, carrying on the tradition of service we have built and nurtured for nearly 75 years. Welcome aboard and bon voyage!