RAFINO

RAFINO Report
ISSUE 22 - Summer 1999
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Bits 'N Pieces

DON GARY wrote, "I'm finally getting around to doing something I've wanted to do for a long time.  For 54 years I've been carrying around the April 1945 issue of Banking Magazine (the Journal of the American Bankers Association) because it has my picture in it.  As it may be an important piece of Finance corps history -- not my picture, but the coverage of Finance services during WWII - I would like to share it with RAFINO………..all of the pictures portray the fighting Finance troops in action.  As I was somewhere in Germany in April 1945, I estimate the pictures were taken in Namur, Belgium (my wife's home town) around the time of the Battle of the Bulge……..The only picture pertaining to my unit (the 65th FDS) shows me, a 20 year old T/5 with the full head of hair (which disappeared within a year).  (Ed: Unfortunately, the page of magazine photos Don sent will not reproduce clearly enough to be published in the RAFINO Report, however, we would be remiss if we did not report that one of the better photos shows seven young soldiers in a room handling large bundles of a foreign currency in the process of making up a payroll.  Corporal Donald Gary, a very handsome young man, with abundant hair appears to be diligently counting out some paper money.  One question, Gary, what's under the cover of that dark cloth in front of you at that table?  Looks like Don has something secret shielded from the camera.  FYI Don has offered to give this precious memento to the FC Museum.)

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PAUL LAIRD who lives the good life in Trieste, Italy, one of our long time members, sent in a testimonial for our RAFINO Reports saying, "You all have made for us a very welcome memory of our lives.  It brings back a sense of re-living our past-the names, the happenings, and a feeling of still belonging to a wonderful, talented group of Finance Friends.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" 

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GEORGE SEAMANDS put in writing the promise that he and Lorie will be with the rest of us attending the reunion in Sep 2K!  He'd better because he has volunteered to serve on the committee.  George explained that he and Lorie missed the reunion at Columbia, SC due to a schedule conflict with their previously planned trip to Europe.  He mentioned also that they spent Christmas week in Williamsburg, VA during a power outage with the result that they enjoyed a real colonial Christmas by candle light complete with cooking over an open fire!

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In addition to mailing in his dues, CARL ROTZ (born in Jan 1917) slipped in a bit of contemporary humor regarding several enclosures for the newsletter when he said, "Sorry, these are not prepared in modern style with a word processor as I AM WAITING UNTIL MY OLD AGE to invest in one!"

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ALYCE SECKINGER, widow of George M., wrote us some heartening comments, "Enjoy reading each RAFINO Report as they bring back many happy memories of the 61 years George and I had spent as Mr. & Mrs. or (his Army rank) and Mrs. Thanks for an excellent newsletter.

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DAVE MIKKELSON, when sending in his dues addressed a note to Phil Anderson in the context of the running reports dealing with the U.S. Government evacuations actions of 20 years ago required when the present regime replaced the monarchy of the Shah of Iran.  Dave complemented Phil (then on the USAREUR staff) with, "I think of you and the super support and encouragement you gave then - Always grateful!  Thanks again."

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SANDER HELLER also added his view on the Iran evacuation 20 years ago with his comment, "Evacuation assistance to Army personnel and their families was also fun in Athens, Greece, where many (perhaps most ?) initially landed from Iran.)  (Ed: Sandy also announced that he has joined the cyber-types with an Email address as follows: heller@in-motion.net .)

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JOE ISBELL's note with his dues and notice of address change ended with the following under his signature line:  "3rd Class, 1940, Finance School, U.S. Army, Holabird QM Depot, MD; School Commander-Major O. A. Walsh; School 1st Sgt-M/Sgt Frank Adams; Class Instructor-T/Sgt Jack Laughlin; (Now come the fighting words!)--Biggest 8-Ball in the class-John Costigan!!! " 

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DICK HAHN passed along a bit of news about some of the "Finance Family" who are not members and posed a question at the same time when he wrote:  Jim Blaylock informs me that Billy J. White ("B.J.") passed away several months ago (see TAPS).  Jerry Riggs is still running a flying school in El Paso, TX.  Lloyd Cupp was in Atlanta 3 years ago when I called him-not sure what his status is at present!?? Jimmy Smothermon (a member of RAFINO for some time now) has retired from DFAS-IN has moved into a new home in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area in the Fall of 1998.  Dick's question was: "Does anyone know the whereabouts of LTC (R) Tony Samaricos (Tampa, FL?) Note: Dick has a new Email address as follows: R1L1hahn@aol.com.  (Those are ones not els following the R & the L).

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WILLIAM G. YOUNGER, one of our much admired British members penned a note to Phil on his dues renewal form saying that he and Stella had enjoyed Florida recently for five weeks in a villa they had rented.  In closing, he wrote, "Hope to see you at the Washington reunion next year."

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JERRY HEARD updated us with, "Ann and I are fine, both teaching-she middle school special ed.-and I business college accounting.  The grand kids occupy our hearts and time.  Working on the 7th year of retirement!!!  (Ed: Jerry gave us his new Email address as follows: heard@CYBRTYme.com).

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When MARJORIE ARNOLD advised us of the passing of her husband, COL. Richard (see TAPS), she told us, "He loved the Army.  After retirement he was Asst. Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs at Appalachian State University for 14 years." 

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"Ain't life funny?", wrote RON GIFFORD, "I left the Finance Center on my way to Heidelberg in 1986 and returned in 1997 as a contractor, currently occupying space that was once part of my old Directorate of Retired Pay Operations.  I joined with a group including many old FC compatriots, teaching DFAS employees such courses as STANFINS (yes, it's still around!), Vendor Pay, Introduction to Accounting, and other subjects that were previously taught (or not taught) with in-house resources.  We get to do what we once did in the old school house and having fun doing it. The wheel keeps on turning………….!"

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CURTIS LEE responded to a comment by this Editor several issues ago on an update by Curtis on his job as operating a new auto dealership in Oahu, Hawaii, in which I said, "I bet I know what car HE drives!" Curtis came back with, "You were probably right, I'm fortunate to have a Lexus GS 300 as a company provided car - enjoying it and the job so much that retirement gets postponed.  Instead, I've been asked to stay on and head up the company's entire automotive operations which consists of distribution of Toyota, Lexus and Suzuki for Hawaii as well as the operation of 6 Toyota/Suzuki, 2 Lexus, and 2 Chevrolet dealerships.  Yes, I'm having the time of my life!  Unbelievable! ALOHA!"  (Ed: What, Curtis, no company-furnished Suzuki to use for chores?)

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A short update from PHYLLIS GOSS on the health condition of husband, Don.  She says simply, "Don has been in the VA Nursing Home here in Denver since Feb. 1998.  He remembers the past only."  (Ed: Maybe a note of encouragement from old friends to Don and/or Phyllis?) 

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From DON RABBOTT came this, "Betty and I finally gave up our house and moved to a retirement facility where we have an apartment with a fine view (Venice, Florida).  I seem to be more active on volunteer work, etc., than ever before!"

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JOHN STOSE keeps hammering away at us on this request now made for the third time-,"Ya otta show retirement dates on the roster listing!".  (Ed: John, we've loaded the data base with so much already.  But maybe Bob Flewelling our in-house programmer, just might do it the next revision.)

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