CHAPTER XVI SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION THE SIXTEENTH … · On 24 October 2009 Chapter 16 and our SF family lost a dear friend. Mike Karr passed away from complications exacerbated

1 - Sixteenth Report

CHAPTER XVI SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

THE SIXTEENTH REPORT

Serving Special Forces Brothers in the Great Northwest Since 1975

Chapter XVI

Special Forces Assoc. William R. Card Chapter

Post Office Box 33577

Fort Lewis, Washington 98433-0577

President

William C. B. Gates............... (253) 931-8918 [email protected]

Vice President

Jim Lessler.............................. (253) 813-0751 [email protected]

Secretary & Mailing List

Charles R. Kraus Jr................. (253) 761-8876 [email protected]

Treasurer Dan Perry............................... (425) 657-0101 [email protected]

Advisory Board & Sergeant-at-Arms

Open

Chaplain & Illness/Death Notification

Jacob W. Robinson................. (253) 565-3329 [email protected]

Chapter Drop Editor

Open

Newsletter Editor

Bart R. Heimsness................... (253) 227-6584 [email protected]

Online Net POC

Dan Perry............................... (425) 657-0101 [email protected]

SFA POC & Membership Coordinator

Bill Butler............................... (206) 948-1746 [email protected]

Quartermaster

Mike Cassidy.......................... (360) 825-0366

[email protected]

Webmaster

Bart R. Heimsness.................. (253) 227-6584 [email protected]

President’s Message...

On 24 October 2009 Chapter 16 and our SF family lost a

dear friend. Mike Karr passed away from complications

exacerbated by the extreme heat injury that he sustained

on 29 July 2009 while volunteering at the Maytown Rest

Stop on I-5. Mike will be truly missed.

He was an authentic curmudgeon and he was our cur-

mudgeon. The SF community was Mike’s family. Although Mike had a rough

exterior he had a heart of gold. Mike donated more personal time and money to

worthy SF causes then we will ever know. When ever there was a need he

would jump and help or donate funds. We missed him at the Auburn Veterans

Parade this year; this was the first time in many years that he was absent. He

was always there to support the troops.

Mike was very active in promoting and volunteering his time at the coffee rest

stops along I-5. He would successfully canvas the local supermarkets such as

Safeway, Costco and the like asking for donations of coffee and cookies to sup-

port our rest stop venture. As president of Chapter 16, he was a constant pain

in my ass for good reason because he cared about us and how things were done

in the Chapter.

For his service to the Special Forces Community, we were happy to nominate

Mike for the Saint Philip of Neri Award. We were extremely pleased to hear

that on 11 June 2009 at the National SFA Convention he was awarded the cov-

eted Silver Medal. Unfortunately, Mike was feeling a little under the weather,

and left before his award was announced. However, in August, the Chapter 16

officers presented Mike the medal while he was in the hospital.

The following is from the nomination and it really sums up Mike and his career

with Army and SF. Mike we will all miss you!! Good Luck on your next adven-

ture.

Cheers

Bill Gates

President

Sep / Oct / Nov 2009 Volume 28, No. 9, 10, 11

2 - Sixteenth Report Visit the Chapter’s website at www.sfachap16.org

Nomination of Mike Karr for the Saint Philip of Neri Award

R. Michael Karr MSG(R) was a long time supporter of the

Special Forces Association, U.S. Army Special Forces, and a

life long patriot. His dedication to the Special Forces Com-

munity was a milestone legacy for present and future mem-

bers to emulate. Ralph Michael "Mike" Karr was a retired

MSG with over 20 years of service to the U.S. Army.

His tenure stretches from joining the military in October of

1946, serving as an infantryman in the 6th I.D. from 1947-

53 in Austria and Korea. Mike was a Korean War Veteran

and during the war manned a heavy machine gun. He at-

tended Airborne School in 1954 where he became cadre

until joining the 77th Special Forces at Ft. Bragg from 1956

-57. He was then assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group

at Bad Tolz, Germany where he was a member of Detach-

ment. "A" Berlin from 1957-60. Upon returning to the U.S.

Mike became an M.I. Soldier from 1960 to 1969 serving in

the 82 Airborne Division 1960-63, Germany from 1963-

1966, the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-67, after returning state side he retired in Albuquerque, NM in 1969.

Mike joined Chapter XVI, William Card Memorial Chapter, of the Special Forces Association in 1991. Since that time he has served

as the Chapter President, from 1993-1995, and the membership coordinator from 1995 to his passing on 24 October 2009. Mike was

extremely active within the Chapter and is known for being one of the most tenacious and selfless members. Mike worked tirelessly

as the Chapter Membership coordinator. He dedicated countless hours toward reaching out to current and new membership and

their families ensuring they receive the most up-to-date Chapter news and information. Mike kept his finger on the pulse of the or-

ganization providing membership with current events from the National Office and numerous other Association Chapters.

Mike was committed to history and lineage of Special Forces. He volunteered his time and personal funds making contact with ac-

tive duty and reserve Special Forces Groups distributing the history and lineage of Special Forces, "Giant Oaks From Tiny Acorns

Grow.” Mike was huge supporter and advocate of the Special Forces Branch Historical and Memorial Museum Association. His

continuous contributions and forthright interaction with active duty and Special Forces Alumni provided invaluable education to the

community at large.

Mike was pro-active in the community in which he lived. He is focused on helping and assisting others with the same regard and

courtesy that is displayed by our active duty warriors, as they provide ambassadorship for our nation abroad. He constantly gave to

Chapter events. Whether the Chapter was supporting community service activities or internal events, he reached into his pocket or

heart and extended a genuine, thoughtful, and caring gesture. Mike wasn’t a rich man or a celebrity but he's enriched our lives and

was an “A” list personality representing the epitome of a Special Forces Soldier. He was a shining example of what makes Special

Forces and America Great.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Mike Karr Photo by Bart R. Heimsness

Mike had asked me to take these pictures about a year ago—this was one of my favorites of the

bunch—it was not easy to get him to just take a picture smiling—as many of you know—but it was

natural to see him smiling any time he was around his Special Forces Brothers and his friends.

CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Ralph “Mike” Karr—Nomination


CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Chaplains Corner

GARBAGE TRUCK LAW by Chaplain Jake

One day I hopped in a taxi and took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a

parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver

of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.

And I mean, he was really

friendly. So I asked, “Why did

you just do that? This guy al-

most ruined your car and sent

us to the hospital!” This is

when my taxi driver taught me

what I now call, “The Law of

the Garbage Truck.”

He explained that many people

are like garbage trucks. They

run around full of garbage, full

of frustration, full of anger, and

full of disappointment. As their

garbage piles up, they need a

place to dump it and sometimes

they’ll dump it on you. Don’t

take it personally. Just smile,

wave, wish them well, and

move on. Don’t take their gar-

bage and spread it to other peo-

ple at work, at home, or on the

streets.

The bottom line is that success-

ful people do not let garbage

trucks take over their day.

Life’s too short to wake up in

the morning with regrets, so…

Love the people who treat you

right. Love the ones who don’t.

Life is ten percent what you

make it and ninety percent how

you take it!

Have a garbage free day


Membership Dues I just received the first member-ship dues in the mail today, and it reminded me that the dues for next year, 2010, are due by 30JAN2010.

The annual renewal is $30.00. $35.00 if paid after Jan 30th.

Please add $10 for the newslet-ter, if you wish to receive it in the US Mail.

Dan Perry Treasurer Chapter XVI

Memorial Wall Ceremony—at 1st SFG(A)

Compound

SFA XVI

Balance Sheet as of 6 Nov 2009

CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Treasurers Report

ASSETS

Current Assets

Bank Accounts

00—Regular Savings 84.67

31—1 Year Certificate 0.00

32—12 Month Certificate 1,442,91

33– Super Bump Flex CD 8,382.10

7 Month Certificate 2,009.10

80—Checking Account 403.32

81 Choice Checking 2,465.96

Checking 1,509.09

Total Bank Accounts 16,297.90

Total Current Assets 16,297.90

TOTAL LIABILITES AND EQ-

UITY

16,297.90

TOTAL ASSETS 16,297.90

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Equity

Opening Bal Equity 8,754.26

Retained Earnings 7,118.29

Net Income 425.35

Total Equity 16,297.90


December Anniversaries

David and Jacqueline Crooker II

Thomas and Nongluk Dixon

Derek and Koleen Elsberry

Wolfgang and Hanalore Gartner

Lincoln and Cindy Glenister

Robert and Anne Handler

Paul and Ilze Kalnins

Manfred and Renate Kropp

Hoa Van and Lien Thi Lo

Reginald and Kimberly MacDonald

James and Debbie McDaniel

Roger and Donna Melby

Lino and Yoko Miani

Carl E.and MoMoYo Mires

Eutemio and Khampho Ohno

Daniel and Rebecca Osborne

Orville and Coral Ryan-Taylor

John and Teri Sanchez

Ralph and Erline Saner Jr.

Roy and Maureen Sayer

Albert and Shoko Schoch

Joseph and Denise Smith

Joseph and Staci Sokol

Duncan and Patti Squire

Mark and Dana Terry

Hoang T. Truong and Tuyen Nguyen

John and Brenda Uhrig

Jeff and Jeanette Wachter

Michael and Stacey Wiley

Hoang T. Truong

Michael E. Wilbur

December Member Birthdays

Neal G. Beard

Norlan Biller

Douglas C. Cannon III

Mary M. Caudill

Tadge L. Cochran

Robert M. Crowley

John and Lenore Cuskelly

Edwin J. Deedrick

Gary A. Delph

Robert E. Fitzgerald

Edward J Fleming

William D. Franklin

Orlando R. Goodwin

John W. Greenbush

Robert I. Handler

Charles A. Harrington

Lee R. Kenner

Robert J. Kerr

Christian D. Knutzen

Charles Kraus

Manfred Kropp

Stephen P. Kubiszewski

John R. Libert

Jeff W. Mathis III

Samuel K. McElravy

Ronald T. Nakahara

Thuy V. Nguyen

Gary H. Scott

Eric Self

Duncan RF Squire

Thomas L. Thurber

Mark L. McIntyre

Lino Miani

Carl E. Mires

Mrs.Cynthia Moinette

William R. Moore

Dennis W. Morgan

Lynn L. Munoz

Richard J. Orlando

Michael V. Riel

Orville L. Ryan-Taylor

Albert L. Schoch

December Spouses Birthdays

Karen Barkstrom

Cheryl Berry

Sue Brockway

Angie Bulaon

Hazel Decker

Darlene Delap

Joanne Dimond

Carolyn Dreps

Shelia Emmons

Sharon Eperson

Merry Anne Harrison

Kiristina Henke

Kathleen Lisenby

Kimberly MacDonald

Carolyn A. Noble

Chizuko Nuqui

Shoko Schoch

Dana Terry

Kyong Weeks

Virginia Wheeler

Susan Wright

Felicia Yates

Political Quote

“If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything”. - Mark Twain

CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Birthdays and Anniversaries


CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Birthdays and Anniversaries (Continued)

November Anniversaries

R. Scott and Chongsun Abbott

David and Evelyn Adkins

Jeff and Robin Conti

Corrine and Dan Farmer

Billy J. Frye

Charles and Christina Harrison

Jeff and Gina Hasler

Chris and Yvonne Heim

Bart and Patty Heimsness

Jeff and Kristina Henke

Bob and Kate Hom

Wayne and Yoko Karvonen

Walter and Penny Ostrander

Roger and Barbara Quesenberry

Ronald and Chris Reule

Jacob and Hye Tong Robinson

Hugo and Christina Sills

Craig and Maureen Vanek

Gary and Nolene Vena

Greg and Lori Wilson

Bud and Mary Lawson

Elroy and Susan Leoppard

Choi V and Hich Luong Ly

Ronald and Hisako Nakahara

Kiet Van and Thuy Nguyen

Roy and Judy Norman

On Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Ken-

nedy was assassinated while riding in a

motorcade in Dallas. Suspected gunman

Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested. Vice

President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in

as the 36th president of the United States.

November Member Birthdays

Alexander T. Antipa

A. Ray Ault

James M. Bray

Roger L. Cherry

Gene Econ

Nate Evans

Juan A. Fernandez

Billy J. Frye

Kenneth J. Garcy

Kevin J. Harris

Jeffrey L. Hasler

Jeff Henke

Douglas Horne

Wayne R. Karvonen

Harry S. LaFevers

Otto K. Liller

Rudolph G. Lindsey

James McDaniel

Andrew S. Miller

Daniel M. Osborne

Vance H. Patterson

Perry O Pearson

Joseph Duc Phan

Joseph A. Polka

The Late - Del R. Richards

Ronald L. Rismon

Clifton A. Sanborn

Patrick M. Shivnen

Ron Suter

Michael J. Vaulx

Stephen D. Weatherford

October 23

In 1983, a suicide truck-bombing at Beirut

International Airport in Lebanon killed 241

United States Marines and sailors; a near-

simultaneous attack on French forces

killed 58 paratroopers.

October 22

In 1962, President Kennedy announced an

air and naval blockade of Cuba, following

the discovery of Soviet missile bases on

the island.

October 7

In 1985, Palestinian gunmen hijacked the

Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the

Mediterranean with more than 400 people

aboard.

November Spouse Birthday

Leah Alonso

Alice Calero

Monique Fabian

Nancy Fitzgerald

Sandra Franklin

Virginia Garrison

Patty Heimsness

Barbara Houghtaling

Candi Johnson

Tina Krompecher

Mary Lawson

Mary Ledford

Hisako Nakahara

Nga Pham Nguyen

Erica Prokopowicz

Eva Richards

Teri Sanchez

On this Day—

November 12

In 1942, the World War II naval Battle of

Guadalcanal began. The Americans even-

tually won a major victory over the Japa-

nese

November 11

In 1918, fighting in World War I came to

an end with the signing of an armistice

between the Allies and Germany.

November 10

In 1982, the newly finished Vietnam Vet-

erans Memorial was opened to its first

visitors in Washington, D.C.

November 1

In 1952, the United States exploded the

first hydrogen bomb, in a test at Eniwetok

in the Marshall Islands.


Bikers Against Statewide

Hunger Turkey Dinner Run By Bart Heimsness

(14 Nov 2009) Bikers Against

Statewide Hunger (B.A.S.H.) holds

an annual motorcycle run in order

to raise money to buy fresh turkeys

for give away to needy families in

the Pierce County area each year

for past 17 years. Bart Heimsness

and his wife Patty have participated

in these events for years—this year

we even got our neighbor a retired

Air Force vet Larry and his wife

Ethel to join us. The ladies were

quite cold—hence the new look

with the hoods over the faces.

This years run brought in enough

cash to buy 200 turkeys for turkey

baskets.

Ethel and Patty staying warm in this cold

weather on the Motorcycle run

Additionally—one of our young

families from 1st SFG(A) - Bart

was able to link him up with

B.A.S.H. in order to get a Turkey

basket. The Operational Advocates

Supporting Injured Soldiers

(O.A.S.I.S. ) Group has been work-

ing with this young man for well

over a week. They have raised

enough money to buy a new engine

for his special lift van that is needed

to transport their disabled daughter

to and from treatments.

JFK Memorial Breakfast By Bart R. Heimsness

(7 Nov 2009) Before this last me-

morial breakfast Jim Lessler and I

were discussing how we really ad-

mire how Eulis Presley has always

signed into the memorial breakfast.

Instead of using the sign in sheet to

identify himself (which we use to

let folks know who was there) he

has always put the name of one of

his departed friends—and usually it

says FOB in the sky.

Well long story short—I knew no

board members were coming to the

breakfast as most of them were

heading to the parade and many of

us had prior commitments—so I

whipped out a new sign in sheet—

with a column to add the name of

the person you would like remem-

bered this day. With that being said

here are the folks that attended and

those they had their memorial

breakfast in memory of.

Bart Heimsness (16) & John Cus-

kelly (16) both honored Johnny

Kranchich, Ted Wicorek (16), Walt

Hetzler (43) - honored Mike Karr,

Ed Mires (16) - honored Nate

Chapman, Eulis Presley (43) - hon-

ored Tom Horne, Fred Callahan

(16) honored Woody Woodworth,

Nick Marvais (16) honored George

Stogdill, Jerry Hampton (43) hon-

ored Corey Wright.

Others attending and selecting

Mike Karr as the honoree for

the day as well all did—were

Jean Thong (43), Roland Nu-

qui, Skip Ettinger (43), Jim

Bryan, John Armezzani (43)

bringing a guest—Dr. Mack

Osborn and Robert Ervin (16)

CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Chapter Happenings / Events / Members News

Bart Heimsness, Jerry Hampton and guest Dr.

Mack Osborn

Left to right is Fred Callahan, Skip Ettinger,

Jean Thong, Ted Wicorek and John Cuskelly

John Armezzani, Carl “Ed” Mires, Fred Calla-

han, Skip Ettinger.

John Armezzani—entertaining Fred Callahand and

Nic Marvais


Adopt-A-Road by Bill Gates

October 2009 Adopt-a-Road program.

Chapter 16 members Jim Lessler, Ted

Wicorek and Bill Gates and Dennis

Saxon (neighbor) picked up about 20

good sized bags of trash along their

designated route near the team room

Auburn Veterans Parade,

7 November 2009 by Bill Gates

The Auburn Veterans Parade is one of

the biggest parades to honor our veter-

ans in the United States. Even though

Saturday dawned cold, stormy and

wet, 100’s of stalwart Washingtonians

lined Main Street to clap and cheer for

our veterans and other marchers. Over

300 units arrived in the down pouring

rain to march the approximate mile

along trek down Main Street. At about

1045 hours, the Air Force conducted a

trial flyover along the parade route to

signal the start, but chickened out

when lighting was reported somewhere

in the county. Even though, the parade

kicked off on time at 1100 hours, and

the rain took a break for a few hours.

The wet rats shown in the photo repre-

senting Chapter 16 SFA included: Jake

Robinson, John Patterson, Mike

Cassidy, Jim Lessler, Paul Wald-

burger, Rob Wekell, and Bill Gates.

We were cheered on by Steph Gates,

Elaine Lessler and Gigi Waldburger.

Also marching in the parade represent-

ing the ROTC Cadets from Pacific Lu-

theran University (PLU) were Cadets

Chap Wolff, Sean Gates, Adam Lewis,

Daniel Nguyen (see photo) and Caleb

Mattson (not shown). After the parade

we retired to the Gates ranch for warm

casseroles, adult beverages and good

talk.

Mountain Climbing— by Bill Gates

Here are a few photos when Charles

and I did a little rock climbing off of

Exit 38 on I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass

in August this year.

Top—Chcuk on Rappel

Bottom—Bill Climbing

CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Chapter Happenings / Events



77 y/o Former Special Forces

Soldier gets jump in for his

birthday by Fred Callahan

For my 77th birthday my family bought

me a free fall parachute jump. Shellie is on

my far left—she also jumped with a high

school friend of hers. This was a couple of

days after my birthday.

Family with Shellie and me getting ready to board

aircraft

Touch down

It was a good jump—ANY jump you walk away from

is a good jump!

Getting on serious air at 77 y/o

Chute being deployed

Mike Karr—was still taking

care of Special Forces even

from his hospital bed

by Bart R. Heimsness

When Mike was hospitalized last

month—he had several orders of CD’s

that he had developed delivered and

did not want to wait until he left the

hospital—so he asked his friend Dan

McKee and I to make sure they got

delivered to 1st SFG(A) - which we

did. Pictured above from left to

right—Jim Lessler—Chap 16 Vice

President, Dan McKee long time friend

of Mike Karr and primary caretaker,

COL Johnson DCO for 1st SFG(A),

Bart R. Heimsness and Fred Callahan

from 1st SFG(A).

These CD’s are Giant Oaks from Tiny

Acorns Grow—US Army Special

Forces Lore & Legend. MSG R Mi-

chael Karr USA (Ret) was the Project

Acorn Producer. Mike bought enough

of these to give every group 200 to

hand out to soldiers. We were fortu-

nate enough to be able to do Mike the

honor and present these to the 1st SFG

(A) Group DCO—as well as introduce

Mikes long time friend to some of the

men that Mike has always spoken so

highly of through out the years.

Mike—we all truly thank you for that

opportunity and you will be sorely

missed by all of us. GOD Speed my

friend.

CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Other member stories of interest


UPCOMING EVENTS

27 Nov 2009—1100 hrs

Dinosaur Luncheon

Ft. Lewis Golf Course

30 Nov—5 Dec 2009

Menton Day Activities

Ft. Lewis area

5 Dec 2009—0900 hrs.

Wright Memorial Breakfast


12 Dec 2009—0800 hrs

Adopt—A—Road Junction of Lake Holm Rd. and Au-

burn Black Diamond Road:

From Hwy 18 about 1/4 mile SW of

Green River Bridge take Auburn Black

Diamond Rd. exit. Go east on Auburn

Black Diamond Rd to first traffic light.

This is our meeting place to start po-

lice call.

12 Dec 2009—1100 hrs—

meeting—1130 hrs—Pot Luck.

Chapter Meeting & Pot Luck

Dinner—check website for directions

or call one of the board members

2 Jan 2010—0900 hrs.



29 Jan 2010—0900 hrs

Dinosaur Luncheon


Future and Other SFA /

Group activities can be viewed

on our website—visit the calendar

and events from our chapter web-

site.

http://sfachap16.org/chap16.htm

Local Food Bank—puts out

Thanksgiving Turkey Bas-

kets—by Bart R. Heimsness

20 Nov 2009

The B.A.S.H. Motorcycle run on pg

5—gathered enough money to buy

well over 200 fresh turkeys to be

handed out to families in need from the

B.A.S.H. Food Bank located in Ta-

coma, WA. Along with a very nice

size turkey and or chicken - other

items such as fresh potatoes, celery,

onions, salad mixes, assorted can vege-

tables were handed out in a Banana

box per family.

One of our own members Bart

Heimsness and his wife have been

members of B.A.S.H. for nearly 18 yrs

now—and has worked many, many

holidays collecting food, toys and

making deliveries. B.A.S.H. Stands

for Bikers Against Statewide Hunger

and are one of the only mobile food

banks in WA State.

ID CARD NUMBERS Update 03: In

response to an increasing awareness of

the growing need to protect the safety

of service members, retirees and their

families’ identity information, the De-

partment of Defense is beginning to

remove Social Security numbers from

its identification cards. The removal is

being done in phases as computer soft-

ware is modified. Phase One is under

way and involves removing the family

member’s number and replacing it

with “XXX-XX-XXXX” on the card.

The sponsor’s number will remain

visible for now. Phase Two involves

removing all printed Social Security

numbers beginning later this year.

Both the sponsor and cardholder num-

bers will be replaced with “XXX-XX-

XXXX.” Phase Three, set to begin in

2012, will involve removing Social

Security numbers embedded in bar-

codes. In JAN 2010, retirees with an

indefinite expiration date on their card

can begin requesting a new card with-

out a printed Social Security number.

Family member ID cards will change

when the cardholders’ expired cards

are renewed. There are more than

1,500 ID card centers worldwide. To

find the nearest center, visit the RAP-

IDS site locator at www.dmdc.osd.mil/

rsl/owa/home . People must present

two forms of identification and one

must be an unexpired federal- or state-

issued photo ID. Specific guidance is

published in the Air Force Instruction

36-3026-IP, June 17, 2009.

People in line to receive Turkey baskets

CHAPTER XVI, SFA

Other news and information


CHAPTER XVI, SFA


New Agent Orange presumptive condit ions

Pursuant to the requirements of the Agent Orange Act of 1991, VA receives periodic reports

from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) summarizing the available scientific and medical l itera-

ture concerning the health effects associated with Agent Orange exposure. Once the IOM

releases a report to the public, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must determine whether a

presumption of service connection is warranted for any disease discussed in the report.

Based on the results of a recent IOM study, which found a possible associat ion between expo-

sure to herbicides and B cel l leukemias (such as hairy cel l leukemia), Parkinson’s disease, and

ischemic heart disease, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determined a presumption is warranted

for B cel l leukemias (such as hairy cel l leukemia), Parkinson’s disease, and ischemic heart dis-

ease.

You may want to noti fy the members of your organizations that i f they have been diagnosed with

one of these new condit ions, and that i f they served on the ground or inland waters of the RVN

they should f i le a claim for these condit ions. Ischemic heart disease is a rather common condi-

t ion.

More importantly, i f your organizations have widows that are not currently enti t led to Dependants

Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and their husbands died

from one of these condit ions and they served on the ground or inland waters of the RVN they

should f i le a claim with the VA. Addit ional ly, During the 1980s and 1990s many members of the

US mil i tary took part in operations conducted by Joint Task Force Full Accounting (JTFFA).

These operations occurred within the borders of the former RVN and were designed to provide

the ful lest possible accounting of our MIAs prior to the resumption of diplomatic relat ions. Many

may be st i l l on active duty. These individuals should be enti t led to the same benefi ts. There is a

way to claim service connection for these condit ions.

Addit ional ly, During the 1980s and 1990s many members of the US mil i tary took part in opera-

t ions conducted by Joint Task Force Full Accounting (JTFFA). These operations occurred within

the borders of the former RVN and were designed to provide the ful lest possible accounting of

our MIAs prior to the resumption of diplomatic relat ions. Many may be st i l l on active duty. These

individuals should be enti t led to the same benefi ts. There is a way to claim service connection for

these condit ions.

OASIS Group can assist in the effort. Visit them at: http:/ /www.OASISGrp.org


CHAPTER XVI, SFA


Notice how the men look in the parade—now all took their blazers

and all but one had their green Chapter 16 jackets—but it sure is

nice to see all of our members somewhat uniform as it does show

we represent not only our chapter and the Association but Special

Forces as well.

The SFA Crest and Flash can be ordered online through the SFA

as well as the blazer crest.

DOD has implemented a new program to compensate current and former service members who were involun-

tar i ly retained on act ive duty (stop loss)

There is a deadl ine for s top lossed folks to access this bonus: 20 Oct 2010. Those w ho qual i fy are former

and current service members w ho were stop lossed from Sept. 11, 2001 to Sept . 30, 2009. They w i l l receive

$500 for each month served past their contracted end-of -service, resignat ion or re t i rement date.

I t a lso states that survivors of fa l len soldiers w ho were stop lossed also qual i fy for this benef i t .

Al l of the info that is needed can be found in this art ic le .

ht tp: / /www.defensel ink.mi l /new s/newsart ic le .aspx?id=56337

OASIS Group can assist in the effort. Visit them at: http:/ /www.OASISGrp.org

SFA Blazer by Bart R. Heimsness

We have all seen them—some members wear them with pride—and we have

events such as memorial day, veterans day parades, memorials for our fallen and

passing comrades to which we should all be wearing the blazers with pride. If you

do not have your SFA Blazer—don’t wait on quartermaster to show up and have a

wide selection—take the time to jump on line—do a search for Hunter Green

Blazer the official color blazer of the SFA.

I am searching for the rules or regulations for wearing our blazers—what type of

shirt or color—I know we have a Special Forces tie—as I have one—but what else

is authorized to be worn on the blazer etc. Once I obtain this information I will

post to our website and get the information out to everyone as well.

JC Penny is where I bought my blazer online—again just look for Hunter Green

Blazer and as long as you know the size you can order it. Another place you can

order is http://www.uniformspro.com it is owned by a former SF soldier as well.


The Sixteenth Report

Chapter XVI

Special Forces Association

Post Office Box 33577

Fort Lewis, WA 98433-0577

TO: Future Chapter XVI Events

Dinosaurs’ Luncheon

Day: Last Friday of each month

Time: 1100 hours

Place: Fort Lewis Golf Course: From I-5 about four miles south

of Ft. Lewis Main Gate take Exit 116 (Mounds Road).

Golf Course is on west side of I-5.


Day: First Saturday of each month

Time: 0900 hours

Place: Fort Lewis Golf Course (see directions above)

Chapter Adopt-A-Road Program

Day: 2nd Saturday of even-numbered months except August

Time: 0800 hours

Place: Junction of Lake Holm Rd. and Auburn Black Diamond

Road:

From Hwy 18 about 1/4 mile SW of Green River Bridge

take Auburn Black Diamond Rd. exit. Go east on Auburn

Black Diamond Rd to first traffic light. This is our meet-

ing place to start police call.

Chapter Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner

Day: Second Saturday of even-numbered months

Time: 1100 hours Meeting; 1130 hours Dinner

Place: Capt Ron’s Rec Room, 17650 SE 295th St, Kent, WA:

From I-5 traveling north toward Seattle, take Exit 142A on to State Hwy. 18. Traveling

south on I-5 toward Tacoma take Exit 142B and turn left onto State Hwy. 18. Go

approx 11 miles on Hwy. 18 to the State Hwy. 516 (Kent Kangley Rd.) exit. Turn right

onto Hwy. 516 and go east about 1/2 mile to SE Wax Road (there will be a McDonalds

on your right). Turn right onto SE Wax Road.

At the end of wax Road, turn left onto SE Covington-Sawyer Road. Follow Covington-

Sawyer for about a mile to a sign on the right that reads 179th PL SE/AIRPORT. Turn

right and then bear right at the Y ahead. Continue on 288th PL to 176th Ave SE. Bear

left and proceed to SE 295th Street and turn left again. 295th ends in a cul-de-sac.

To the left is the team house. 253-630-0570

Want to advertise in our news-

letter? Contact us for current

rates—and target the local Spe-

cial Forces community.

Documents

CHAPTER XVI SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION THE SIXTEENTH … · On 24 October 2009 Chapter 16 and our SF family lost a dear friend. Mike Karr passed away from complications exacerbated