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