Message from the Honorary Colonel of The Finance Corps Regiment

BG (Ret.) Roger W. Scearce

Greetings All,

Well, the Reunion 2000 In Washington, DC has come and gone, and if you missed it, you missed a great, great event!  We had a spectacular time, and a very special RAFINO/RAFINCO and Finance Corps salute and heartfelt thanks go out to George & Jan Beckett and Jim & Glenna Martens.  They led the planning and execution of this wonderful gathering, and did a truly phenomenal job.  Yes, there were many others who helped, but without their steadfast focus, dedication, and leadership, it wouldn't have happened.  Again, well done to everyone, and many thanks from all of us!!  We're really looking forward to Indianapolis in 2002.

On a note of Finance Corps tradition...  when I arrived at the RAFINO/RAFINCO convention, I was immediately accosted and "coined" by COL[R] Jerry Heard.  He has been out to get me without my coin for at least 10 years, and I couldn't believe he was actually coining me at the reunion!  Well, needless to say, I produced my Finance Regimental Coin, and subsequently enjoyed another beer at the expense of my good friend and former commandant.  So, in keeping with another long standing DC tradition -- affectionately known as the Finance Corps Friday night poker club -- I coined 5 brother Finance Officers at the table, after having lost an expensive round of 7 card stud.  Well, lo and behold, the host and President of the Defense Credit Union Council, COL (R) Arty Arteaga; the Military Asst. to the ASAFM, COL Bob Speer; and the Military Asst. to the Director, DFAS, COL Al Runnels were "coinless!!"  Can you believe that??  One infamous retiree, and two active duty senior finance corps leaders sans their regimental coin??   Well, I was aghast, and promised to get the word out far and wide that finance corps traditions are very, very important, and that their "retribution" would be public humiliation and shame via every communication vehicle we had as a corps.  Hopefully, by sharing this most unfortunate circumstance with all of you, they will see the error of their ways and never be without their regimental coins again!  Only in this way will we be able to continue one of our great Finance Corps traditions, and keep the energy alive!  So, please drop each of them a note of disappointment and chastise them accordingly!  :)

Lastly, a well deserved pat-on-the-back to COL (R) George Beckett, our outgoing president - - you did a great job sir!  And, a special congrats [and "hooah!'] to COL (R) Mo Denny -- our new RAFINO president!!

Again, many thanks to everyone who helped with this year's RAFINO/RAFINCO gathering, and a special thanks to all who attended - - it was super seeing all of you!!

"To Support and Serve,"

Roger