Chapter Meeting Notes - 20 December 2014

19th Annual Jerry Montoya/Ralph Dominguez Food Drive: Naipo Robertson was the Chair. Committee members Chuy, Steve, Gus, Leo & Jerry. 96 Boxes were packed at VFW 812 on Wednesday, 17 December and members delivered them to the needy. Jerry Campos paid for 100 boxes. Chihuahita got their annual bulk donation. $2500 was approved for the expenses and we spent $1,040.00.

The Jerry Rainey Scholarship fund is healthy. Recent donations to the Jerry Rainey Scholarship were from Dick Tenglin, $300, and Luis Barraza, $30.

Photo above: Ike Camacho and boys at the SFA Chapter IX 2014 Christmas Party.

Christmas Party: More than 100 attended on 20 December, 6 pm social, dinner at 7 pm, at VFW 812. Joe “China Boy” Lopez served as Chair. Trini Peral did raffles and decorations. Tony’s Villa Band provided the music until quite late. $1500 was approved for gifts and decorations and we spent $ 1,249.10.

Picture at right:  Chapter Ladies at the 2014 Chapter IX Christmas Party. Rest assured that they occupied the loudest table in the VFW hall.   We will spare readers and not post any pictures of Franzoni dancing.






Teamhouse Committee: Chairman is Steve Franzoni; Committee members are Gus, Brian, Chuck, Tom, Tony and Chuy; the committee is listing requirements for the 2800 sqft steel building (2 bath, office & kitchen). Working on permits and need to get CEMEX to give up the land.

Rest and Recreation Center Fort Bliss: PTSD Soldiers still meet with Chuy every Monday from 1100 hrs to 1600 hrs in Bldg. 48 at FT Bliss. Chapter donates $200 each month for arts & crafts.

Wreaths Across America: Debbie Torres (Rolando’s wife) was the CAP Chair again. It was held on Saturday, 13 December. Various members and spouses attended. Chapter 9 & Chapter 80 paid for all interred SF Soldiers and past Chapter Members and spouses (30 wreaths + 10). Picture ay left: Monica and Steve Franzoni at Fort Bliss National Cemetery for the Wreath Laying Ceremony.





Isaac Camacho Head Start School: 125 students in the school. Supplies that you wish to donate please bring them to the meetings. Chapter donates up to $100 per month, as needs arise.

Chapter IX Shirts, Coins, Mugs and Blazers: More Shirts, Polo’s, mugs and coins are available. Coins are $10 each. Anyone needing a blazer go to this website and order: Hunter Green = http://stores.uniformspro.com/-strse-MILITARY/Categories.bok from $110-$180. We have a 36R and a 38R blazer on hand for purchase. We are also selling golf balls for $2.00 each and the new Chapter 9 white dress shirts for $25.00. Ties are also available at $25.

Soldier Mentors Program: Mentors program is in progress with the El Paso Courts system for Soldiers who have no violent offenses for 8-12 months. See Tom Brady.

Chaplain John Szilvasy Interview: His Library of Congress interview copies are available on CD for $6 donation to Fort Bliss Red Cross.

Chapter IX Sign at the entrance to the road: Tabled until the Team House is completed.

Chapter Historian: Jerry Campos Historian, Committee Bill Snider and Fidencio Gonzalez. If you have historic information, pictures or memorabilia, please get it to the committee.

Billy Waugh’s book “Isaac Camacho, an American Hero” is available. www.isaaccamachoamericanhero.com .

US Border Patrol Special Operations Group SOG MWR Expo 2015: President Pete has begun work on the Expo for May 6 and 7, 2015. Volunteers for the committee should see Pete. Go to the SOG Expo website here.

Stay in Step Spinal Cord Injuries: MSG Alberto Gonzalez announced an effort by CW3 Camargo (7th SFG Retired) to raise funds for Spinal Cord Injuries. The goal is to reach $400k for the clinic. Chapter will vote on a donation amount in January. If you wish to donate – link is: www.stayinstep.org

DROP Magazine is Online: All members can access it at http://www.specialforcesassociation.org/drop/thedrop-3q2011/index.html

Roy Aldridge is now the National Director for Korean War Veterans Association.

Michael Ibarra Injured: New Member and Eastchester NY Police Officer Mike Ibarra was struck by SUV during Columbus Day Parade. Officer Mike Ibarra was directing traffic when an SUV that was in the parade somehow lost control and hit three cars. The driver then turned onto Main Street and hit Ibarra, but not before the auxiliary officer swept aside a child. Ibarra was treated for a head injury and is recovering back home with is family. The child at the scene who was saved by Ibarra and the elderly driver behind the wheel of the SUV walked away without a scratch. Ibarra is an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran and former honoree of the parade. http://westchester.news12.com/news/eastchester-police-officer-mike-ibarra-recovering-after-being-struck-by-suv-during-columbus-day-parade-1.9499410

President's Message:

Welcome to 2015. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holidays. Our Christmas party was a hit even though I thought the western theme was not in line with what you all wanted but my wife Trini did a great job and everyone was impressed with the decoration. (That's Trini to the right, just before she slapped my hand for trying to pocket the bottle of Tequila). 


Again thanks to Tony and the Villa bad for the great entertainment and to EYT cratering for the excellent meal. Wreaths Across America was great but next year we need more members to participate. The food drive went well. We had a few hiccups but we adjusted fire and completed the mission. Thanks to Naipo for stepping up again and chairing the food drive.

CY 2015 will be busy for our chapter. We hope to secure the land to build our team house and break ground before the end of the year. The SOG expo is our big money maker so I want to put as much effort into that so we can get the biggest bang for our buck for the team room. If you know of a cooperate sponsor who may be willing to help with funds to defray the cost let us know. We also have to start planning for out 10th annual golf tournament. Ten years is a mile marker and I want to make this the biggest and best tournament ever. We need a Chairman for this event and that person needs to be technologically sound. Everyone wants to use social media, electronic payments and web based info so whoever Chairs this need to be up to speed or have a committee who is tech savvy.

Lastly I want to thank all of you for your support and confidence in me and our board of officers to take Chapter IX to the next level. See you on the 17th.

De Oppresso Liber!

Pete Peral, President SFA Chapter IX