Last week 130 retirees and their spouses had a reunion on the Portsmouth campus. On Thursday they were treated to plant tours and REWHC was a stop along the way. Beth Ripa, REWHC's founding chairperson and Harry Mutter greeted the retirees at the top of the tower trail with visuals and handouts. It was a beautiful day and we were able to show and tell the story of REWHC's efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment. It was great seeing Tom and Marian Ligon standing on the "Ligon Pathway" and hearing Ralph Martin explain how he/we wrangled the campus away from the state.

Our presentation was very well received and their parting messages stressed that what we were doing was great and that they were jealous because they never had it so good.

The following article appeared in the August 14, 2002 issue of N&MIS News, published by Human Resources and Communications for N&MIS employees. (I had to add REWHC in there!)

N&MIS OPENS ITS DOORS TO SUB SIG RETIREES! On Friday, August 9th, retirees, current employees, former employees, and friends came together to celebrate the 2002 Sub Sig Reunion. [A quick history lesson: The earliest predecessor company of N&MIS -- the Submarine Signal Company, or Sub Sig as it was affectionately called -- was founded in Boston in 1901. Purchased by Raytheon in 1946, it eventually became the Submarine Signal Division (SSD). N&MIS today continues to build on Sub Sig's reputation for pioneering technology and excellence.] The reunion events spanned two days, with a tour of the N&MIS Portsmouth campus and social gathering on Friday and a dinner reception at an area restaurant on Saturday. As Dick Parfitt, the event's organizer, explained, "The Sub Sig Reunion is held every two years in Florida for former SSD employees. This year it was held at Portsmouth in order to create a stronger interest. Plus, past employees enjoy coming to the plant and seeing it in its current state." Approximately 130 people signed up for the tour of the Portsmouth campus, which ran from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Included on the tour was a stop at the head of the Tower Trail, where REWHC (Raytheon Employees Wildlife Habitat Committee) members Beth Ripa and Harry Mutter told the story of REWHC's efforts to protect the natural environment. The presentation was very well received -- the retirees joked that they were jealous because they never had it so good! Following the tour, Vice President and General Manager Dan Smith addressed the group. A social was held in the dining center of the Nimitz Building to end the night and allow old friends to catch up . . . and new friends to get acquainted! When asked if she enjoys these types of retiree events, Claira Kalil, who worked at Raytheon from 1967 until 1993, replied, "I see a lot of people when I go to the dinner events, and by attending I also get to see a lot of the people I don't usually see. I still love to be involved with Raytheon!" For photos of the event, go to http://integration.es.ray.com/people/2002/SUB_SIG_RETIREES.html .