Chapter Meeting Notes - 17 September 2016

3rd Annual Joshua Mills Competition – Fort Bliss: SF Recruiters held the competition on 8-9 September. SFA 9 paid for a Bar-B-Que at the end of the competition, and supplied the funds for oranges and gator aid as usual. It was a big success, but next year we will not hold this the same week as the Golf Tournament. As studly as these young troops are, they do not hold a candle to Tony Beltran, see picture at right.

12th Annual John McLaughlin Memorial Golf Tournament (2017): Chairman is Al Hobbs. Location is Underwood Golf Course 9 September 2017. Final financials from the Sept 2016 tournament are not yet available. Could not have done it without support from many people including the Chapter IX ladies and the VFW Aux, see picture below.

2017 1st Group Reunion, El Paso: Ike Camacho is the Chairman. Committee members are Gus, Chuy, Duke, Steve, Leo, Jerry & Bill. Dates proposed are 5-10 June 2017. This will be the 3rd time we hosted the 1st Group. Chase Suites for $69, registration is $120 until 15 May, then it will be $140 (Hospitality Room only is $50). Banquet will be at the Marriott. Registration forms went out in August. Information was sent to the DROP.

2018 SFA Conference – El Paso: Chairman is Brian Kanof; Committee members are Tranny Bill, China Boy and Joe Kerwin Jr. The best date for the City seems to be between 11-17 June 2018; we may cut the days down to 5 or 6 from 7 in the past. SFA 80 will assist. Brian plans to reach out to some other military and Veteran groups for assistance. Brian will give us a meeting plan, but he asked the members to start seeking 5K sponsorships now. Committee is forming now. The Camino Real hotel is doing a makeover and will be finished about the time of the reunion. We are looking at that as a HQ Hotel.

Return to Devens Reunion: SFA 9 Member Gary Baura, now in Melbourne Florida ran this 10th SF return to Fort Devens event from 5-10 October, 2016. Emails coming in say it was a great success.

Massing of the Colors: Tom M mentioned that we need a Chapter Flag for events like this. Committee is looking into options – committee includes Tom, Jerry, Pablo and Hugo.

Christmas Food Drive: Tom Melgares, Chairman. Start scrounging food for the boxes. Packing day 14 December. Committee members are Pablo, Sam, Greg, Chuy and Al. Goal is 100 boxes this year. Need to find more schools to assist – Collins is closed.

SFA 9 Christmas Party: Trini and the VFW Post 812 Ladies Auxiliary will run it again this year. 10 December at VFW 812 reserved. More details coming soon.

Donations: Motion made by Brian: That all requests be submitted in writing in advance to Chapter Secretary via email and brought to the floor during the next general meeting for vote. In addition, there will always, at the discretion of the President, exceptions to be made during the meeting to accommodate emergencies and short term requirements. 13-7 Passed.

Public Address System: John asked if we could get a PA system. We will look at quotes.

USASMA Class 67: There are about a dozen SF guys in this class and they have already met with the Chapter. It should be a good year.

VFW Post 812 News: Commander Al Hobbs (see picture). Meeting is held the 1st Saturday’s 1000 hrs. 1st Sunday of every month is a fish fry from 1100-1400. Bar is open every evening. Fun Food Friday is held each Friday evening.

82nd News: Benavidez-Patterson All Airborne Chapter: www.bpaac.org Chairman Jesus Bravo. Meeting = 4th Saturday’s, lunch 1300 and meeting 1400. Bar is open every Friday and Saturday from 1500 till whenever.

Chapter President's Message: Welcome to October. Two more months and we’ll be in 2017 go figure. The next event will be the Christmas party to be held on 10 December at VFW Post 812. Trini and the Post want to take the lead on this year’s event so I’m sure it will be a great one. More to come but the event will be free to the Chapter 9 members and one guest. All other guest will be $10 as in past years. Along with the Christmas party we have the Christmas food drive as mentioned above. I encourage everyone to seek donation of non-perishable food items or go out and buy a case of canned food to help the cause. The schedule is to have the food brought to the VFW on 12-13 December (or on the 14th) and we’ll pack boxes on the 14th at 1800. Tom is the chair so if you want a box call or e-mail Tom Melgares. Phone 915-873-2183, or E-mail: tmelgares@hotmail.com

DOL

Pete Peral