Page 13 - FCA Diamond Point Sept 24_Edits

AT THE FOREFRONT

However, we were not done yet. In August, four FoF members, all former Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg)
Finance Soldiers, who served together in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and their wives gathered near
Westcliffe, Colorado at Pat and Jane Riley’s “Mountain Cabin”. Keith Gudehus (former Detachment
th
Commander, 82d Finance BN), Jeff Kovach (former Commander 107 Finance BN), Pat Riley (former
th
XO, 107 Finance BN) and Bob Speer (former Commander 82d Finance BN) shared time together
reminiscing and enjoying the Rocky Mountains. In addition to hiking from 6,000 to 12,000 feet,
bowling, dinners, and staring at the stars, the group played another round of golf at the Fossil Trace
Golf Course in Golden, Colorado.

FoF Four to Colorado, August 2024: Golf at Fossil Trace Golf Course.
During each of these four FoF gatherings, we reflected on the shared experiences we had having
served in the Army’s Finance Corps. We reflected on the challenges and accomplishments we had
experienced, as well as discussed, the continued role and experiences of Finance Soldiers serving
today. We expect, regardless of the changing systems, organizational structures, and evolving
procedures, that the functions and importance of the finance mission to our nation and Army remains
viable and strong. Our hope though, for those currently serving in the Finance Corps, is that you
have the same pride of accomplishment and camaraderie we ‘old timers’ enjoy. You may not fully
realize it today; however, you are the FoF of tomorrow.

For our current and expanding group of FoF members, notwithstanding our aging demographics, be
assured, will “continue to march” as best we can, doing our part to continue as we can. Each year,
we add one or two recently retired Finance Corps members to sustain FoF and the linkage with
today’s Financial Management Corps. We are excited and looking forward to two outings scheduled
for 2025. In April 2025 we will take 32 FoF’ers, our largest group ever, on a Westerly golf excursion
to Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition, a group of 16 FoF couples will take a return trip to Ireland for
golf, sight-seeing, and fun in July 2025.

In conclusion, long-time friends and shared experiences come to be very important later in life. FoF
provides a great deal of that for us - we hope all yo ” youngsters” create something similar as you
get older to keep your friends and relationships alive and well!!

* The origin of the use of Friends of Finance – “The FoF,” came from a unique finance team during Operation
Iraq Freedom (OIF) in 2003-2004. I had the honor to lead a talented and diverse group of military and civilian
finance folks from the Department of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Corps of Engineers, and the
State Department in managing and overseeing the execution of the $18.4 billion Iraq Reconstruction Fund.

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