Congratulations and thanks to Marsha Henry Goff for a superb job in securing and organizing last weekend’s reunion in Lawrence of U.S. Army Rangers from World War II.

Goff’s, father, L. Lew Henry, was a highly decorated Ranger, and she worked for several years to get Lawrence selected as the site for this reunion. Other larger cities were bidding for this gathering of true American heroes, but Goff was determined to bring this group to Lawrence.

She would be the first to say this was a true team effort, with many in the community – including officials of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Dole Institute of Politics and Lawrence city officials – playing critical roles in getting the convention. Kansas University officials and Lawrence Holidome staffers deserve particular recognition for their work in making the gathering a success.

However, it was Goff who dreamed of having the convention in Lawrence and worked tirelessly for more than a year to make sure the event was a success in every respect.

It was!

Those who had the opportunity to meet and visit with some of the Rangers now have a far greater appreciation for what those men and their lost comrades did for this country during World War II. Goff’s father served in the 1st and 4th Ranger battalions and received three purple hearts, a silver star and the Croix de Guerre for his valor in combat. Returning to Lawrence following the war, he was a practicing attorney and served as both a city council and commission member as well as a state representative.

Again, thanks to Marsha Henry Goff for her tireless efforts to bring this convention to Lawrence, and thanks to all others who helped make the event such a success. Rarely will Lawrence have the opportunity to welcome such a distinguished group of men who have done so much for this country.