By Andrea Genovese Soares and Rabita Aziz (January 24, 2003)

"This morning we bid a fond farewell to School Resource Officer Steve Rau." These were the words spoken by Principal Snee, addressing the entire student body at the beginning of school this morning concerning the unexpected, impending departure of Officer Rau. 

As a Master Sergeant and training specialist in the United States Army Reserves, Rau was called in for support of ongoing military operations associated with the large troop buildups in the Middle East. Rau, who has been at GM for three years, will report on Monday to Ft. Lee, VA and later to Ft. Dix, New Jersey. He expects that he will be training soldiers for at least a year. According to him, more than likely, he will train soldiers. When he returns, Rau plans to resume his position here at Mason.. 

His heartfelt feelings poured out as he said, "I’ll be thinking of you guys, and I’ll miss working here—It’s a family." Rau is not only leaving behind the students, but his wife and two children. 

Rau's departure serves as a reminder to our small community of the very real possibility of war in the near future. Students see Rau every day and regularly hear the news of people being sent off to serve their country, but it's only now when people realize the immensity of the events taking place around us.

Mr. Snee said, "During Officer Rau’s absence, other police officers will be filling in for special events and activities. Officer Paul Whitney, a familiar figure in the Falls Church community, will be the school’s daytime liaison from the police department."