Together, we can!

First of all: What a privilege it is to be president of the Reserve Officers Association League and to be trusted with its leadership this year. Though I have been a member for many years, it never occurred to me that I would be in this position. However, the more I've become a part of it, the more I realize what an important role its dedicated members play.

This organization takes pride in its traditional role of coordinating and cooperating in all ROA activities, when so requested. As long ago as the 1930s, a small band of women, mainly ROA spouses, discussed the possibility of organizing clubs to help ROA with legislation, national security and membership. In 1949, ROAL was born and, just like those first organizers, we still support ROA.

ROAL responded in large numbers to the new membership category for spouses, widow and widowers. ROA has gained more than 1,000 new members since the beginning of this membership drive, many of whom are current ROAL members. It is my wish that we also continue to recruit for both ROAL as well as ROA; we need increased membership to continue our many worthwhile projects: ROAL works with the USO; we visit and present gifts to VA hospitals; we send care packages to our troops through Operation Home Front and donations to Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides a college education for surviving children of our brave soldiers who have fallen in battle.

ROAL is the single largest contributor to the Defense Education Forum (DEF). This year we hope to support a new organization, Our Military Kids, Inc., whose executive directors are committed to ensuring that children of Reserve and National Guard military have the opportunity to participate in sports, fine arts, and tutoring programs during periods of their parents' deployment. My goal is to encourage all members to help those families of the deployed military in any way we can.

TOGETHER, WE CAN accomplish much. It is my hope that this year we can maintain a strong tie between ROAL and ROA.

The Strategic Planning Committee has been tasked with writing full job descriptions for all officers. This is one way to ensure continuity at the national level, as well as at the local and department levels. I would like to see all of us, with the help of the area directors, communicate more frequently and more definitively with the clubs and departments. It is necessary to remind people how important they are as members. Teamwork is vital to the continuing growth of ROAL. TOGETHER WE CAN accomplish that for which we strive. Let's set our sights high; follow through with efforts; and realize our goals.

Remember, freedom is not free. May God bless America and protect our military. I look forward to working with you.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Reserve Officers Association of the United States
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group