The 2008 Beene Family Reunion host committee's chairman is cousin Crosby Beene, Jr., a Haynesville, La. native, who is a great grandson of Harry Beene, the fourth son and child of Jackson and Susan Kennedy Beene.

As Chairman, I would like to thank the six daughters of Leander and Sarah Jones Beene of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the vision in 1961 when they held our first gathering at the home of cousin Ida Beene Rhodes. Eight years after the initial family gathering some 47 years ago, the descendants of Alexandria Beene, sixth child of Calvin and Caroline Crayton Beene, have been gathering in cities throughout the United States. When I attended my first family reunion in Nashville in 2004, I was welcomed as the 'long lost' family member. I am truly grateful that through the Beene Family Reunion, a light was kept 'burning' for our family members who had been separated for over 158 years. This year's reunion marks the first time in it's 47-year history, that it is being hosted by a Beene descendant who is not a direct descendant of Alexandria Beene, a grandson of Phillip Beene--our family patriarch born in 1790 in the state of Virginia.

As we enjoy the fruitful labor of Leander Beene's daughters' vision, and the prayers of our ancestors, we could easily liken our 2008 Ann Arbor family gathering as a 'Jubilee Reunion'. This July, we wish to welcome all family members who will be in attendance, especially those who will be joining us for the first time that are descendants of the patriarch of our family, Phillip Beene. You too, will be received and embraced as a 'long lost but found' family member. Join us as we celebrate the 4th year of our combined Beene Family Reunion on July 18-20, 2008, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Respectfully yours,

Crosby Beene, Jr. of Ann Arbor, MI