Chapter Meeting Notes - 17 January 2015

Highlighting members. L to R, Ike Camacho, Ricky Smith and Jerry Montoya.


Teamhouse Committee: Chairman is Steve Franzoni; Committee members are Gus, Brian, Chuck, Tom, Tony, Al and Chuy; the committee is listing requirements for the 2800 square foot steel building (2 bath, office and 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 Fort Bliss. Chapter donates $200 each month for arts and crafts. Chapter voted to continue sponsorship for 2015.

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

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

Jerry Rainey Scholarship: Ike presented a $1000 check from Billy Waugh for the Rainey Scholarship fund.

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.

Border Patrol Special Operations Group (SOG) MWR Expo 2015: President Pete has begun work on the Expo for May 6 and 7 2015. An Expo Golf Tournament will be held on 5 May; Expo will be 6-7 May. Volunteers for the committee should see Pete.

Stay in Step Spinal Cord Injuries: 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

10th Annual CSM(R) John McLaughlin Golf Tournament: Co-Chair Al Hobbs and Ike Camacho; Committee members are Steve, Tom Brady & Gus. Tournament will be held Saturday, 29 August at Fort Bliss.

20th Annual Jerry Montoya/Ralph Dominguez Food Drive: Chair will be Naipo Robertson again. Committee Steve, Chuy and Tom Melgares.

Honorary Members: Chapter reviewed all Honorary Members and will retain all that are currently on the roster.

Special Olympics Sweetheart Dance: Chapter approved up to $1000 to sponsor the event.

USASMA: Chuck moved that we invite all SF related Soldiers attending the Academy to attend our April meeting. Passed. Derek will assist.

Lady Miners: Ike asked us to sponsor the Fast Pitch Softball. Cynthia Camacho plays on the team. Chapter donated $200.

International Museum of Art: Chaplain John suggested we attend the event where his wife is featured so we can become more “culturally sophisticated”., since most of us are practically heathens.

Joe "China Boy" Lopez’ Son: Pinned COL 16 February. He also serves with SF.

Chapter President's Message:

Well we start a new year going full speed. Let me tell you a story that I’ve mentioned awhile back; about 5 years ago, Chapter 9 voted to sponsor a Special Olympics fund raiser. I was asked if we have a banner for the Chapter and I remembered Jerry Montoya gave me a box with Chapter paraphernalia. In it was a Bible, a pair of jump boots and some other items. He also gave me a large banner which I thought was a Chapter banner (oh and by the way he gave me this stuff about two years BEFORE the fund raiser) but never opened it. When I did, it was an 8’ banner which read “Chapter 9 supports the Special Olympics”. I got chills. Anyway, it showed me that this chapter has been doing great things WAY before I came into the picture. Keep that in mind.

With that said, Chapter 9 is hosting a sweetheart dance for the Special Olympians this Saturday starting at 1700. Tony and Martha are providing the entertainment, the VFW providing the venue and I need our members to show their support. The kids (some older than me) are looking forward to this and it will enrich your life to spend some time with them. Please come and support. You don’t have to work but come have dinner and enjoy the company and music.

Ok, next in the door is the SOG expo, May 5-7, the VFW golf tournament on May 16th and our golf tournament in September, get out and support all three events. See ya Saturday and if not God bless and take care.

De Oppresso Liber!

Pete Peral, President SFA Chapter IX