Al Hobbs - Celebration of Life, 14 May 2021

A celebration of the life of Al Hobbs will take place at the VFW Post 812 at McKelligon Canyon, in El Paso on May 14th at 2pm. The family suggests an early arrival to the VFW to get settled before the service begins. The service taking place at Fort Bliss National Cemetery will be livestreamed to the VFW for all of his loved ones to watch in real time before the immediate family joins everyone at the VFW to continue the program together, celebrating the amazing life Al Hobbs lived and all the lives he touched.

Soldier For Life, by SMA (ret) Jack Tilley - Book Signing at VFW 812

Jack L. Tilley served a total of almost 37 years in the Unite States Army. He was the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army from June 23, 2000 to his retirement on January 15, 2004. He was the last Vietnam War veteran to serve in that position.

SMA (ret) Tilley wrote a Book "Soldier for Life". He will be doing a book signing at VFW 812 on Sunday 10 April 2016 from 3p to 8p. A Brisket Dinner will also be served, cost of $10. The book signing is sponsored by United Veterans Home Loans.

Tilley's major assignments include serving: as the Senior Enlisted Leader of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Command Sergeant Major, United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Arlington, Virginia; Command Sergeant Major, 1st Battalion, 10th Cavalry, Fort Knox, KY and Command Sergeant Major, 194th Armored Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Bad Kreuznach, Germany.

Tilley held many key leadership positions including Tank Commander, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Senior Instructor, Operations Sergeant and First Sergeant. His military education includes the First Sergeants Course and the Sergeants Major Academy. He is a graduate of the basic airborne course, drill sergeant school and the master gunner's course.

Merry Christmas - From Special Forces Association Chapter IX, the Isaac Camcho Chapter, El Paso, Texas

Chapter IX held it's annual Christmas Party this year on Saturday 21 December at VFW Post 812.  Every second year the Chapter seats the new officers.  This year the Chapter voted unanimously to keep the present board and in all their glory they are, from L to R above: Chaplain John Szilvasy, Vice-President Steve Franzoni, President Pete Peral, Secretary Bill Snider, Treasurer Jose Ibarra, and Chapter namesake Ike Camacho who gave the oath of office. 

Chapter hosted approximately 100 attendees to the catered party with live music provided by Chapter IX Honorary Member Tony Lara and his live band, the Villa Band.  Ike Camacho and Pete Peral (picture at right) led off the entertainment with a rendition of the Ballad of the Green Beret.  It is at times like this where the Chapter missing the voice (and personality) of Jerry Rainey, who was no doubt looking down upon the proceedings from the base camp in the sky.

 The Chapter also wanted to post this great picture (at left) of Ike Camacho and his lovely wife Gracie.

Merry Christmas and please members our service members who are not at home this Christmas as they risk their lives to defend our Freedoms in faraway places. 

      

Chapter IX Christmas Party

Special Forces Association Chapter IX, the Isaac Camacho Chapter, held our annual Christmas Party at VFW Post 812. We hope everyone had as Merry of a Christmas as we did. Jerry (former Chapter President) and Peggy Montoya came all the way down from Wyoming for the event.

Chapter President's Message

I ask that every SF Chapter 9 member who is a member in good standing with VFW Post 812 vote at the April meeting (April 7th at 1000).

Moose Saiz has agreed to run for Commander and I’m running for Senior Vice. If you are not a paid up member or are not a member at all but are eligible I ask that you renew your membership prior to April 7th so you can support Moose.

For those that do not know, Moose was the Commander at Post 812 for seven (7) years and under his leadership the Post thrived. We hosted hundreds of troop parties during those seven years and provided some form of a “family” for our men and women going to a combat zone or returning from one. I want to see “Veterans” put back into Veteran of Foreign Wars.

I also wanted to let everyone know that the pasta dinner for the West Point Cadets was a huge success. These Cadets traveled here to compete in the Bataan Death Match. We had a number of Chapter 9 members alongside of our 82nd brothers who enlightened these young Officers and dazzled them with stories and past adventures...as well as some lies, ha ha. On Sunday a few of Chapter members supported our brother Chapter, Chapter LXXX at their Battaan March water point. We caught the cadets coming through mile 16 and they looked strong. Great job.

De Oppresso Liber
Pete Peral, President SFA Chapter IX