US Border Patrol Expo and Night at the Border Patrol Museum

Each year the US Border Patrol Special Operations Group Morale, Welfare and Recreation (SOG MWR) Association hosts a Law Enforcement Equipment and Technology Expo. SOG MWR partners with Special Forces Chapter IX to provide event support both for the display day and the range demonstration day. This year the SOG MWR Equipment and Technology Expo will be held 5-6 May 2021. With Day One (the vendor display day) scheduled at the Centennial CLub on Biggs Army Airfield-East Fort Bliss and Day Two (the range demonstration day) at the Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club.

This event 17 years ago as the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) Force Modernization Conference, this event now called the 'Expo" attracts a hundred or more vendors, ranging from clothing to firearms, from radios to cameras, from medical gear to specialized vehicles and accesories - and everything in between. And it still is the only unit driven trade and technology show in the country.

Each year Chapter IX and VFW 812 hosts a dinner and get together for vendors at VFW 812 on the night before the Expo begins. This year that will be on 4 May 2021.

What is different about this year's event, besides the gratitude of everyone at geting their COVID restricted freedoms back, is that the Border Patrol Foundation (BPF) is partnering with the Border Patrol National Museum, located on Trans Mountain Road, to host a joint BPF - Border Patrol Museum event on the night of 5 May 2021 - which is Cinco de Mayo by the way - called the 'Night at the Border Patrol Museum' where presentations by the BPF will be made and food - drinks available as will prerusing the museum displays. This is a fundraising deal for the BPF and Museum so tickets will have to purchased - available on line at the BPF Website, or at the SOG Expo or at the door of the Museum the night of the event.

This is a worthy event to support as he Border Patrol Foundation is a first class organization that provides support to disabled or injured Border Patrol agents and to the families of fallen agents - virtually any Border Patrol family in need.

WOUNDED WARRIOR CRUISE III Nov 27 to Dec 4 2011

46th Special Forces Company Association Honored by Border Patrol Foundation. The 46th Special Forces Company (Airborne) Association was recently honored at the Border Patrol Foundation Recognition Dinner in Washington, D.C. Mark Little, Wounded in Action Chairman, and his wife attended the event on behalf of the men and women of the of the 46th. This annual event honors those who have contributed to the families of the fallen and injured while protecting America’s borders.

“It was an honor for the Border Patrol wounded to be recognized by their military counterparts who defend America around the world,” states Pat Wilder, National Director of the non-profit organization.

The Honorable Tom Ridge received the Founders Medal given for significant leadership in development of the U.S. Border Patrol over the past decade. USBP Deputy Chief Ron Vitiello, guest speaker, updated attendees on the success of the Border Patrol over the past year in improved apprehension of drugs, human trafficking, and technology development. Erica Aguilar, Border Patrol Family Services volunteer for the Foundation shared a family perspective of the importance of the Border Patrol Foundation in meeting the needs of the families of the fallen and importance of continuing peer support. Erica’s husband was killed in a violent border attack in 2008.

Additional awards included FOX News “Hannity” segments providing awareness of the cooperation of local law enforcement with the USBP in apprehension of dangerous alien criminals and terrorist access along the borders. Additional special guests included David Ham, Border Patrol Museum, Chief Doug Kruhm (USBP Ret), and Chief Luis Barker (USBP Ret), joined over 240 guests in saluting the our border warriors.

This year’s programs include expansion of the Border Patrol Family Services program and a national secondary education border security curriculum in a joint effort with the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation.

Picture at top: The Honorable Tom Ridge with Erica Aguilar, wife of slain agent Luis Aguilar at the Missing Man Table

From Pat Wilder National Director Border Patrol Foundation pat.wilder@borderpatrolfoundation.org