After near 48 years in this great Industry of ours, it has come time for me to retire and stand on the sidelines. This company which I worked so very hard to build and gain a great reputation over all, Cross-American Corporation was recently purchased by a European firm who will take very good care of it in Europe and in the United States as well. We have had the terrific privilege of selling all over the World and have come in contact with thousands of "friends and Operators" from from these same locations whom I will personally miss. Many quality people and professionals.


I must say that I have many, many fond memories going to various trade shows especially years back, way before these bulletin boards became popular and a great way of communication. I must admit over the past couple weeks, that it was difficult to see those trucks come in while we were loading all our stocks and molds bound for a new location and future. Broke my heart in a sense to witness first hand a bit of this Industry's history come to an end. However, the new owner firm will continue the success that we achieved over the years. What I feel very good about is that we built this business without any Financial Company/Bank having their hands in the business with the possibility of taking us over if we grew to big for our britches and were short on cash. We were very fortunate, and very solvent.


I waited on making this statement because I wasn't sure if it really mattered except to myself. However, I do wish all of you , truly, the very very best no matter if you were our friend(s) or foes.


I will leave you with something I have always kept in mind: Never forget, "Good things in Life do not come easy"--you have to work for it, and, "as hard as you might try, ( if you have more than a few customers) you will never satisfy everyone because they have other unrelated problems but need someone (like you) to blame."


That's life and that's reality.


Thanks, Mikey for such a great board and all your help and attention!


May God bless you all;

Ed Valentine