Chaplains Corner - October 2017

Managing Your Anger With God's Help The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, “Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil…..Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And, do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of salvation. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander - all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

This biblical approach to anger management helps to clear the air and restore relationships. When we keep God and His love involved in the situation, restoration of the relationship is more easily achieved. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Love you all,

Chaplain John Szilvasy

Chapter Meeting Notes - 6 September 2017

John McLaughlin Memorial Golf Tournament: Held at Fort Bliss 9 September. The Committee was Gus Gonzalez, Al Hobbs, Ike Camacho, Leo Enriquez . . . .and a host of others. Thanks for the SF Wives and the VFW Auxiliary for much of the success. This was the most successful golf tournament to date for this Chapter.

2018 SFA Convention – El Paso: Chairman 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 has asked the members to seek sponsorships. Committee is meeting before the general meetings at 1200 every month. Headquarters Hotel is the Camino Real – they are doing a makeover (to be re-named “Hotel Paso del Norte”) and will be finished before the reunion. Full registration is set at $150 early (By 1 March 2018) and $165 late. Vendor tables are $150 for each table for the week. Movie “The Green Beret” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year – Warner Brothers is assisting us with the film. Convention coin finalized. The website for the 2018 SFA National Convention is: http://www.sfa2018elpaso.com

Honorary Members to the SF Association: Our first attempt at upgrading membership was successful. See Bill Snider about how to write your resume,....you'll be doing in with crayons. Some may be selected, some may not. National will still maintain their standards in the bylaws.

Chapter IX's SF Room at the VFW: Bill is providing a list for Tom of the Deceased Members for a plaque honoring these past members. He will review the list at the October Meeting for the membership.

The 22nd Annual Jerry Montoya/Ralph Dominguez Food Drive: Tom Melgares is the Chairman, again. Wednesday, 13 December at the VFW is scheduled for the Food Box Party. Tom is working with El Paso JROTC as in the past and hopes to escalate their support this year.

US Order Patrol Special Operations Group LE Technology and Equipment Expo 2018: Pete and Steve have begun work on the next Expo, to be held on 1-2 May 2018. This is our largest annual fundraiser, where 120+ vendors come to EL Paso to display and demonstrate their equipment, material and technology.

Chapter Storage Unit: Phil moved to establish a committee to purchase a storage unit on a motion passed by the Chapter.

Chapter SF Christmas Party: Scheduled for Saturday, 16 December; 1800-Midnight at VFW 812.

Update on Johann "Joe" Lee. Joe tok a position at Fort Polk, Louisiana with JRTC SOT-D as a scenario writer. He plans to stay on the 2018 National Convention Committee and hopes to attend meetings 3-4 times a year until he can retire here.

Chapter President's Message:

Greeting all, I don’t have a lot this month but start thinking about the food drive and Christmas party. We’ll make motions at the October meeting for both for funds, and themes. I do want to thank COL Gus and all of the folks who supported the golf tournament. It was the best ever and it will be hard to beat.

Pete Peral President, Chapter IX

Chapter Meeting Notes - 20 September 2014

Jerry Rainey Scholarship: The fund has $15,595 (Donations Ted Lamb $100, Don Nance $400 and  $1000 anonymous).

SFA Membership:  Life membership is still a good deal at $430. It is $280 for members over age 65. New Member dues = $40. Billy Waugh told Ike he will be making a donation for the Scholarship before tax time.

19th Annual Jerry Montoya/Ralph Dominguez Food Drive: Chapter needs to assemble the Committee right away. Jerry Campos will get 100 boxes. Naipo Robertson has consented to be the Chair again.

9th Annual CSM(R) John McLaughlin Memorial Golf Tournament: Held Saturday 13 September 2014 at the Fort Bliss Golf Course. We had 106 players and 45 Hole Sponsors. If you sold  a hole sponsorship and want a certificate of appreciation for your sponsor - contact Pete Peral. We made at least $18K profit this year. Duke Armendariz came from San Antonio to help. Everybody got breakfast burritos and a full meal at lunch. Leo ran the hotdog stand at “Apache Junction”. Brian Kanof took photos again and got a shot of each team that are available for those who want them.  Photo below is just some of the people who made this event not only possible but well run. 

Teamhouse Committee: Chairman is Steve Franzoni; on the Committee is Gus, Brian, Chuck, Tom, Tony and Chuy; the committee is listing requirements for the 2800 sq ft steel building (2 bath, office & kitchen). Working on permits and need to get CEMEX to give up the land (To VFW, deeded to SFA9).

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.

9-11 Celebration: VFW Post 812 hosted an awards ceremony on September 11th to honor the firefighter and policeman of the year chosen by their senior leadership. Numerous Chapter 9 members attended.

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.

Christmas Party: Scheduled for Saturday, 20 December, 6 pm social, dinner at 7 pm, at VFW 812. Joe “China Boy” Lopez will arrange the Holiday style meal and Trini Peral will do the raffles and decorations. Each Member and one guest will be no charge, any additional guest will cost $10 each. Tony’s Villa Band will provide the music. Sign-up sheet was circulated. Deadline to register is 15 December.

Chapter IX Shirts, Coins, Mugs and Blazers: Shirts, Polo’s, mugs and coins are available. Coins are $10 each. Check out the Chapter On-Line Store here.

Wreaths Across America: Debbie Torres from the local Civil Air Patrol and wife of Chapter member Rolando Torres,  is the Wreaths Across America Chair again. It will be held on 13 December. Chapter will again pay for all interred SF Soldiers and past Chapter Members and spouses.

Chapter Sign at the entrance to the Road: Brief discussion. Tabled until the Team House is completed.

Honorary Member Nominations: China Boy nominated Jesus Rodriguez and Bob Chisolm with the Benavidez-Patterson all Airborne Chapter. Passed unanimously. January the Chapter typically reviews Honorary Members to continue or drop them depending on their participation.

Chaplain John Szilvasy Interview:  John was interviewed by the Library of Congress. Copies of the interview are available on CD for $6 donation to FT Bliss Red Cross. 

President's Message:

Greetings all; The golf tournament is over and like Bill said we “done good son”.   Thanks to all who went out and secured sponsors and teams. We had 6 more players than last year and could have put more out if we wanted. We had to turn teams away.

Our next adventure will be the food drive. Naipo will chair and we need others to work with him. We have a few leads for bulk food items that we’ll be exploring and unless we cancel the support to the Chihuahita we will need the bulk rice, beans and potatoes too. Last year we donated $1,500.00 to the food drive so we’ll see where we go this year. There was talk of making 100 boxes this year but we need to see the need. If we have members that need that many I’m sure a vote will pass. Again, we’ll need volunteers to help Naipo get this going. Other than that, life is good. See you on the 18th.

De Oppresso Liber!

Pete Peral,
President SFA Chapter IX

Chapter Meeting Notes - 19 October 2013

8th Annual CSM(R) John McLaughlin Memorial Golf Tournament. Tournament was held on 7 September at the Fort Bliss Underwood course. Profit this year was over 25K. Chairman Greg Brown is retiring from the project and needs replaced. These will be big shoes to fill.

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 IX Shirts, Coins, Mugs and Blazers: Shirts, mugs and coins are available. Coins are $10 each. Anyone needing a blazer needs to talk to Pete. We are also selling golf balls for $2.00 each, hats for $10.00, cups for $7.00 and green Chapter 9 shirts for $35.00.

Isaac Camacho Head Start School: 125 students in the school. Any school supplies that you wish to donate please bring them to the meetings. Chapter is donating up to $100 per month as needs arise.

Soldier Mentors Program: Mentor program is in progress with the El Paso Courts system for Soldiers who have no violent offenses for 8-12 months. See Tom Brady.

Christmas Party: Scheduled for 21 December at VFW 812. Chairman Joe “China Boy” Lopez. He will get us quotes from the caterer. Chapter approved $1000 for front money.

18th Annual Ralph Dominguez/Jerry Montoya Food Drive: Chairman Naipo Robertson, Co-Chair Tom Melgares. Pablo Sanchez has a large truck and is on the committee. Other members are: Rod, Chuy, Leo, Steve and Sam. $1500 approved for approximately 75 boxes, hams and items that we don’t get donated. We will load boxes on 17 December and distribute them on the 18th. Pete has generated a solicitation letter for donations.

Wreaths Across America – Civil Air Patrol: Debbie Torres (Rolando) Chairperson. Ceremony will begin at 09:45 on Saturday, 14 December, so arrive at the Fort Bliss Cemetery early, to get a seat. Chapter will again sponsor all SF and Spouse wreaths this year. Donations must be received by 1 December. Debbie’s goal is 600 wreaths. This event is a Blazers and Berets event.

Chapter Elections: Tom nominated the current slate of officers for another term. Final nominations and voting will be in November and Installation of Officers, for the next 2 year term, takes place at the Christmas Party. Ballots will be emailed and sent snail mail to the dinosaurs without a computer.

SFA 9 Roster: Bill is finalizing the roster, please get him any changes you have ASAP, before we print.

Task Force Dagger Foundation: Created in McKinley, TX for wounded Vets. 95% of donations go to direct support. Brad made a motion to give them $500, second, passed.

82nd News: Benavidez-Patterson All Airborne Chapter.  Chairman Joe “China Boy” Lopez. Chapter meets the 4th Saturday’s, lunch at 1300 and meeting at 1400. Chapter bar is open every Friday and Saturday from 1500 until whenever.

VFW Post 812 News:  VFW Post 812 Commander Ramon “Moose” Saiz. 1st Sunday of every month is a fish fry from 1100-1400. Bar is open every evening.

Message from the Chapter President:

We are getting ready for the food basket drive and the Chapter Christmas party. Naipo Robertson is the chairman with Tom as his second. At the November meeting, they will have solicitation letters and they will be asking each chapter member to bring a case of can food. Naipo will have a list of what we need. China boy is handling the chow for the Chapter Christmas party and Trini has the entertainment part. We have the Lara band for sure and more to come.

Vice-Prez Steve Franzoni has the point on the Team Room and he needs help. We need figure out exactly how much property VFW Post 812 owns and then what/where can we build in that footprint. If you have experience dealing with the city on either issues please work with Steve.

I’ll be out of the net for two weeks in November so contact Steve Franzoni for any chapter business. Looking forward to our Christmas party and hopefully seeing some old friends.

Pete Peral