SFA Chapter Meeting Notes - 21 February 2015

New Members:   Phil Sloniger retired in El Paso and transferred to SFA 9 (He originally joined the Chapter in 1996 when he attended USASMA).  Nate Nathanson, an old Chapter IX member and SFA Life Member,  attended this meeting and left a $500 donation for the Jerry Rainey scholarship.


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 & crafts.


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 Hunter Green blazer go to this website and order: http://stores.uniformspro.com/-strse-MILITARY/Categories.bok   The Chapter still has 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.


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


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. They are assembling a book.


Border Patrol Special Operations Group LE Equipment and Technology Expo 2015 - short title is SOG Expo: President Pete has begun work on the Expo for May 6th and 7th, 2015.   The SOG Expo Golf Tournament will be 5 May;  Volunteers for the committee should see Pete. He have 116 tables committed for, so far.


Stay in Step Spinal Cord Injuries: MSG Alberto Gonzalez (JTFN) is supporting 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 March. If you wish to donate – link is: www.stayinstep.org


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


Special Olympics Sweetheart Dance: Chapter approved up to $1000 to sponsor the event held Saturday, 21 February. Numerous members attended.


USASMA: Derek will coordinate inviting all SOF related Soldiers attending the Academy to attend our April meeting.


Teamhouse Project:  Chair Steve Franzoni. Committee is finalizing the footprint with Cemax and will keep us updated of progress.


SFA Drop Magazine on line:  All members can access it at http://www.specialforcesassociation.org/drop/thedrop-3q2011/index.html


Fort Bliss Rid and Gun Club: Disability – Announcement that 100% lets you shoot free at Rod and Gun Club.


1st SF Group Reunion: Ike said 1st Group wants to hold their 2017 Reunion in El Paso again. Ike is making the early coordination.


SFA Dues: Tom and Bill reported that all but 5 members renewed on time this year.


82nd Association Fiesta 7: Chapter approved the purchase of a full page ad for the magazine. Pete put together the ad and we paid $100.


Bataan Death March: Mike requested that we assist SFA 80 again at water point 7. Get ready.  http://www.bataanmarch.com/   This will be held on 22 March 2015.  Water Point 17/Mile Marker 17 on HWY 70. Any members who can attend should provide their vehicle license to President Pete or VP Steve. Party will be at Mike’s house after the march is finished.


SFA National Convention:  4-10 June.  If you plan on attending you may want to make reservations now. This is the website for convention info: 

http://www.specialforcesassociation.org/about/membership/2015-sfa-convention/


President Pete’s Oval Office:


Welcome to March 2015. It seems the older you get the faster time fly’s, something isn’t right with that. With that said, May and the Expo is less than 2 months away. Then the VFW golf tournament on May 16, then our golf tournament in September. It may seem like a long way off but who can remember out Christmas party for 2014? I remember it like it was yesterday so May and September isn’t that far away. Let’s get going on teams and sponsors.


I want to address our finances for a minute. Like Bill says every month, “We are healthy” but with the planning of a team house and maintaining it, that “healthy” can fade away. One thing that we as a chapter have to our benefit is the partnership with the VFW Post 812. We need to keep that relationship alive and well. I’ve seen a few more bodies from Chapter 9 patronize the place for events like fun food Friday, or dances, fund raisers etc. but not nearly enough. We have a handful of members who visit the VFW regularly but hardly anyone at the meeting (for as big as our meeting are) or other functions. Our voice will be the deciding factor on building a team house on their property so we need more representation at the meeting and other function. The few cannot support the whole. Show your support.


Thank you all for your camaraderie and support. See you Saturday.


De Oppresso Liber!
Pete Peral, President SFA Chapter IX