From the President

What's the secret of a long and happy marriage?

I have always thought that Navy marriages have some advantages. During the first couple of decades, Navy couples plow through the usual problems of life like everyone else, and as some of the tensions begin to build, and life starts getting tedious, it's time for a WestPac or Med cruise. Then, as we sail farther and farther from home "absence makes the heart grow fonder," and six months later the family is reunited and then there is another short, but great honeymoon.

So married life for the typical Navy family becomes a series of great honeymoons. The real test of the marriage then comes upon retirement when there are no more deployments to interrupt our life, and we are faced with the usual ups and downs of life "for better or worse." It was a privilege recently to share with Ruth and Dudley Cass in their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. (Their anniversary is not until August 17 so we can celebrate again in Denver.) It was a grand affair and their children and grandchildren did them real proud.

Also, Don and Pat Nellis celebrated their 50^th in this past month. Unfortunately, they will not be in Denver, but we can drink a toast to them anyway.

Congratulations Ruth and Dudley, and Pat and Don. May your next 50 years be another great honeymoon.

John Reynolds

Taps

Henry Fisher, SF1 (60-62), March 15, 2002, Memphis, TN.