Chapter Meeting Notes_21 October 2017

In the DROP magazine, Ricky Smith was reported as deceased. It is NOT true, he is very much alive. Please see picture at right. Chapter needs 100% accountability! Please report the sick and lame to Bill Snider.

John McLaughlin Memorial Golf Tournament: Held at Fort Bliss 9 September. By all accounts this was the most successful Golf Tournament ever.

2018 SFA Convention – El Paso: Chair, Brian Kanof; Co-Chair Bill Snider. Dates are 12-17 June, 2018. Convention Theme is “Mexican Americans in Special Forces”. It will be a 5-night conference with events beginning on Wednesday. SFA 80, VFW 812 and the 82nd Airborne chapter will assist. Brian said that sponsorships are still needed. Committee is meeting before the general meetings at 1200 every month. The Camino Real – re-named the “Hotel Paso del Norte” was slated to be the Headquarters Hotel but late breaking news is that the hotel will not be finished in time. The Double Tree by Hilton, and the Courtyard Marriot are now the co-Anchor Hotels and all previous reservations will be transferred to these hotels. Full Convention registration is set at $150 early (by 1 March 2018) and $165 late. Vendor tables are $150 for each table for the week. The movie “The Green Beret” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year – Warner Brothers is assisting us with the film for an exclusive showing for convention goers. The El Paso Chihuahua’s AAA Baseball will host Green Beret Night. Convention coin has been finalized, featuring a Chihuahua on one side and Bill Snider's profile on the other. Website is http://www.sfa2018elpaso.com

US Border Patrol Special Operations Group Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment Expo 2018: Pete and Steve have begun work on the next Expo, to be held on 1-3 May 2018. This is our largest annual fundraiser. SOG EXPO Website

22nd Annual Jerry Montoya/Ralph Dominguez Food Drive: Tom Melgares is the Chairman. On Wednesday, 13 December the Food Box packing party will commence at VFW 812 at 1800 hours. Signup for Food Box(s) begins at the November 18th Chapter meeting or reserve boxes through an e-mail to Thomas Melgares at tmelgares@hotmail.com. Number of box(s) MUST BE IN BY COB, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH. $2000 are authorized for expenses.

Storage Unit Building: Chair – Phil Sloniger. Specs = 30 FT x 50 FT/ 10 FT high. Authorized today 25K for building and 5K for concrete – 30K total.

Annual Christmas Party: Saturday, 16 December; 1800-Midnight, at VFW 812.

Wreaths Across America: 16 December – 1000-1200 hours. We will place 39 wreaths this year. Bill reviewed the entire list and we identified those who were Members of Chapter 9 for the Memorial plaque in the Team Room and those who were Mexican Americans for the 2018 Convention Souvenir Program.

Announcements & Good of the Order: SF Room (Team Room): Today was our first full Chapter meeting in our room. Chaplain Szilvasy led a special prayer in memory of the Alamo Silver Wings Chapter member Eduardo L. Fernandez's recent passing and the Niger attack killing 4 SF personnel.

Message from the Chapter President:
Gents, we have the annual food drive coming up, let’s give Tom all the helps he needs to get this done. Also, we have the Christmas Party on the 16th, we will need volunteers to help make this a great event like always and count our blessings for the past year. SFA 2018 is right around the corner, so let’s keep our eye on the prize. I appreciate everyone’s hard work!

De Oppresso Liber!
Pete Peral
President, Chapter IX

Chapter Meeting Notes - 18 July 2015

Jerry Rainey Scholarship – 9th year: Committee Chuy, Gus, Steve; Sam Morgan, Chair. Chapter will present 3 x $1000 scholarships this weekend (Chapter's August meeting). There will be a separate post on this award. JTF-N Commanding General BG Lehr will be presenting the awards.

10th Annual CSM(R) John McLaughlin Golf Tournament: Tournament will be held Saturday, 29 August at Fort Bliss. Team sign-up forms and sponsor letters are still available. Every member is asked to try to sell at least one hole sponsorship. Kiki is getting the beer donated.

Reunion: 1st Group wants to hold their 2017 Reunion in El Paso. This will be the 3rd time we have hosted the 1st SFG Reunion. Ike is making coordination and attended the 2015 reunion in Alexandria, VA.

New business: SFA 9 Elections: Nominations will be in October. If you are interested in running for office, get someone to nominate you.

Vietnam Memorial: El Paso Vietnam Veterans Memorial to be erected at the flag pole. They are raising $50K for the memorial. Chapter voted to donate $1400 towards the monument.

82nd Fiesta 7: Was held 4th of July weekend. Several members gave reports. Past President Duke Armendariz is transferring his membership back to Chapter 9.

Christmas Party: Chair = Steve Franzoni. Assembling committee – nothing to report yet.

USASMA Class 66: VFW 812 is having a welcome party 19 SEP at 1400 after the SFA 9 meeting, meal at 1500. They have 400+ students including 56 foreign students. We will meet with the SF attendees then.

SFA Convention 2018: Discussion underway to host the 2018 SFA convention in El Paso. Exploratory Committee formed: Chair, Brian Kanof; members Bill, China Boy and Joe JR.

Project Amistad: Pete announced that they give veteran financial support for living expenses of up to $700. Chapter Member Eric Howard is a leader in the project. More information on eligibility and participation will be provided soon.

State and National Parks Pass: Pete mentioned that these passes are free to vets with 60% disability. Apply for state at McKelligon Canyon and National at Chamizal.

USASMA Reunion 2016: Al announced that El Paso is hosting the reunion 14-17 July, 2016. More to follow.

Jerry Montoya in Wyoming: On 5 June Jerry and Peggy Montoya attended a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans reunion in Casper, Wyoming. Jerry presented Governor Matt Mead with a Wyoming Flag that he and his family have flown all over the world in the past 50 years while serving in the military. The flag will be displayed in the capital. See picture at left of Jerry Montoya and Governor Mead.

Jefferson Foxes Golf Tournament: Moy’s boys are honoring Ike at the tournament to be held on 16 Oct 2015. Ike asked Chapter to sponsor a hole for $100 –passed.







Chapter President's Message:

We are holding the Jerry Rainey scholarship awards after the general membership meeting this month, and I ask everyone to dress accordingly. Please no shorts or flip-flops. This is in recognition of a great man, and his wife and family will be there, to include BG Lehr, Commanding General of JTF-N and a Special Forces soldier. Officers are asked to wear blazers and berets, and the summer uniform (White dress shirt or Chapter polo) for the general membership.

We are on short and final for the 10thAnnual John McLaughlin golf tournament and need support. Now’s the time to step up to the plate with sponsors, goodie bag items, and work-a-bees. As this is the 10thannual event, we as a chapter want to make it the best to date (Which will be hard to do). Every year we put great effort in making these event not only profitable, but also fun for the players. Especially those who have supported us for all these years. Contact Ike or Al Hobbs to see where you can help…better yet come to the meeting on August 14th at 1730 as that will be one of the last meeting before we go hot.

As mentioned above, VFW Post is hosting a “welcome to El Paso” for the students of class 66 of the USASMA and Chapter 9 is invited. We will not host a meal after the September meeting but participating in the welcome for the USASMA students. Chow will be provided to Chapter members then. Please plan accordingly for those who will not be able to stay for the festivities. We have secured the VFW Post, for 19 December, for the Chapter Christmas party but that is not locked in stone. If you have ideas please bring them to the table at the August meeting as places are going quick.

De Oppresso Liber!

Pete Peral

Chapter Meeting Notes 16 Jan 2010

The Special Forces Chapter Montoya-Dominguez Food Drive resulted in ninety two 40 lbs boxes of food distributed to families in needs as well as the Children’s Crisis Center and Chihuahuita Orphanage. Thanks to the following individuals and organizations for donations:
- Helen of Troy
- Diaz Farms
- Mount Franklin Foods
- Quality Fruit and Vegetable
- El Paso Produce Company
- Flower Bakery
- VFW Post 812
- VFW Ladies Auxiliary
- Pioneer Services

The 2010 Montoya-Dominguez Food Drive will be chaired by Greg Brown.

3rd Annual John McLaughlin Golf Tournament target dates are 11 or 18 September 2010. Possible locations are Painted Dunes Golf Course, Butterfield Trail Golf Course or the Santa Teresa Country Club. POC is Greg Brown.

The Chapter voted to donate $100 to the Red Cross for Haitian Relief in lieu of the Earthquake.

Ike Camacho reminded the Chapter that the Alamo Chapter of the Silver Wings Association is holding their annual Dining Out on 6 March at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Cost is $40 per person; names to Ike before 31 January 2010.
Next Chapter meeting 20 February 2010 at VFW 812 McKelligon Canyon.