Everything is falling into place for our upcoming Indianapolis Reunion, August 17-21. We have had a very good showing of members indicating they plan attend, but there is certainly room for more. I just received today the "Payment Request" for the Reunion Fees from our administrator extraordinaire Bob Flewelling. Don’t forget to make your hotel reservations as there are other events in the hotel during the same period.

This past week was the annual Regimental Week hosted here in Columbia, SC by the Finance School. The Commandant, COL Charles Walker, and his entire staff again superbly orchestrated the many events during the week. During the Council of Colonels, I understand the foundation was laid to complete the FIRM (Finance and Resource Management) consolidation concept that has been advocated for a number of years. I understand the new Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller, Ms. Sandra Pack, visited during the week. She very quickly has become a friend of the Finance Corps.

As always, the culminating highlight is the Finance Corps Regimental Ball which was held in the same room of the Adams Mark hotel as the ’98 RAFINO/RAFINCO Reunion Banquet. The young officers of the Basic and Captain’s Career Course splendidly performed the traditional Finance Punchbowl Ceremony. Some of the highlights of this 12-ingredient concoction came from our allied officers attending the classes. There were many highlights of the evening, none more stirring than the Guest Speaker remarks by Ernie Gregory. His speech entitled "Time Flies" eloquently took us from the activation of the Finance Regiment on 7 May 1987 and all of the significant events over the last 15 years for our Army and the Finance Corps. As always his remarks were heartfelt, emotional, sometimes humorous, and all about how responsive our Army has been to all of America’s worldwide requirements. Ernie has recently been promoted to be the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller, and steadfastly remains a true friend of all finance soldiers.

The awards presentations continue to be awesome. In addition to the normal Soldier and NCO of the Year competitions, the attendees found out that one of our Finance Soldiers was also the Forces Command (FORSCOM) Soldier of the Year, a truly remarkable achievement. The Finance Regiment also installed BG(R) Hugh Tant as the Honorary Colonel and CSM(R) Frankie Matthews as Honorary Sergeant Major. They replace BG (R) Roger Scearce and CSM(R) Bob Johns who did a great job during their tenures.

I know the entire Finance family has mourned the untimely passing of Martha Arndt and I thank each of you who has helped Terry Arndt get through this difficult period. Martha was certainly a remarkable lady with a tremendous heart and genuine interest in everyone she met.

We still need a number of our members to catch up on their annual dues, and the search is unending for new members. I look forward to the Reunion and hearing from all members on ways to strengthen our organization. The executive committee will be meeting and offering some new ideas to the membership at our business meeting.

We will see you in Indy in August! Golfers, keep practicing and bring your A game. My team won the rain-shortened Finance tournament last weekend.

/S/ Mo