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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...
Fellow members we need volunteers to make this chapter function. There are several of you in Chapter 16 that bend over backwards to help on various tasks and I thank you. You may recall in July, during one of out hottest streaks of weather this summer, we manned the coffee stand at the May-town Rest Stop on I-5. Bud Lawson, you did a great job run-
ning the operation. I thank all of you for volunteering and helping. In fact, some of you did double time to man the shifts. We got the work done and made about $1000 even with all of the construction on I-5. The problem was however, some volunteered that either didn't show or pulled out at the last minute. In fact, Mike Karr pulled double duty (12 hours) on the hottest day to cover one of the vacancies; and suffered a severe heat injury with complications as a result. He is still in recovery. This is not right folks! If you can't make your commit-ment, get someone to cover it. Enough said. Next Meeting, Octoberfest, 10 October 2009. Bring festive food. In November, Veteran's Day Parade, we need all of you to march. See you in the team room. Here are a few pictures of the picnic—more inside—Enjoy!
August 2009 Volume 28, No. 8
2 - Sixteenth Report Visit the Chapter’s website at www.sfachap16.org
Missed in the last newsletter was: Birthday July 24—Lillian Moffett If your info is missing please con-tact the board members so we can get your info included and updated. September—Birthdays
September Spouses Birthday
September Anniversaries
CHAPTER XVI, SFA MEETING MINUTES 13 June 2009 Meeting minutes for June were in last issue of our news-letter—however, I did not get the pictures to the previous NL editor—so see pg 6 for those pictures. SFA Chap XVI Picnic—results total income for the day was 965.50 coffee stop 1,036.00 auction 200.00 donation from Kim Wise/ Cascade West Photography 1,094.00 raffle sales that day 980.00 picnic income @$5 each 4,275.50 Total income for the day After all the bills are paid, and I don't know of any still outstanding, it looks like we cleared around $4,000. $965.50 of which is the coffee stop. Everyone can be satisfied that this years picnic was a success. Dan Perry Treasurer Chapter XVI Wright Memorial Breakfast 28 Aug 2009
The following members were in atten-dance: Chapter 16: Jim & Elaine Lessler, Bud Lawson, Butch Hall, John Gebbie, Nick Marvais, Loyd Gomez, Alan Park, Roland Nuqui, and Bill Butler. Chapter 43:
Skip Ettinger and John Armezzani.
CHAPTER XVI, SFA Birthdays and Anniversaries / Meeting Minutes
Ramiro Alonso Daniel Apodaca Johnny Beauregard John Becker Ed Booth Jorge Calero Fred Callahan Argot Carberry Joe Chambers Ben Cole Hank Cramer III Matthew Curlee Red Davis Thomas Dawson Karl Eickemeyer Ajax Galyon Oliver Garcia Loyd Gomez Odell Hacker Ron Hale Mike Haugen Sean Houlihan Ben Hwang Charles Knight Bud Lawson Sai Leo John LoPinto Phil McClure John McLain Norm Moffett Braxton Moses Lyn Pelot Jeff Russell Bill Slawson Rob Smith Lewis Vasey Rob Wekell Greg Wilson
Phyllis Bales Lenore Cuskelly Cindy Glenister Fang Hull Elaine Kirkwood Ida Little Kimiko Matsumoto Margaret McGuire Penny Ostrander Barbara Pelot Beth Russell Mimzi Smith Marina Thompson Vermadene Vasey Katsue Walker
Ramiro and Leah Alonso Paul and Jennifer Bagshaw
Norlan and Julie Biller Y-Jut and Rhonda Buonto Fred and Linda Callahan Lyndon and Gayla Capon Mark and Jennifer Carlson Rob and Tracy Crowley Thomas and Diane E. Csrnko Oneil and Rosa Davidson Skip and Carolyn Dreps Bob and Hazele Ferguson Don and Sandra Franklin Dave and Kathy Fridovich Lonnie and Virginia Garrison Brian and Vera Harris Richard and Fang Hull Haydh and Frankie Hungerford Jordan and Sandy Hyde Andrew and Phannee Karlman Café and Kreckler Donnie and Mary Ledford Jim and Elaine Lessler Rudolph and Kerra Lindsey Ken and Janice Long Dan and Debbie Perry Joe and Krysalis Polka Merle and Katsue Walker Bill and Virginia Wheeler
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Picnic and Auction Items By Bart R. Heimsness Ladies and Gents – my wife Patty and I have been on a roll lately – trying to acquire a few things for our annual picnic auction. In the past couple of days – we have had donated – 4 sleeves or 1 box of golf balls from the SFA 2007 convention – each ball in the sleeve has a different SF logo on them. Very nice – Thank you Ted Wicorek – I am sure someone will enjoy those.
During our last SFA Memorial Break-fast – a couple of quilts were brought in to show off. One was for the auc-tion – two others were personal in nature – but gave us some really good ideas. While auctioning a quilt during the warmer part of the year is not exactly what many of us are thinking – I do believe that these mili-tary / SF related ones will be a defi-nite appeal to our members. Keep in mind – to enjoy the auction – you have to be at the picnic. So make sure you keep that on your schedule and get the calendar cleared now – so you can make it. Patty and I ran around to all the dif-ferent fabric stores – found 5 really nice fleece panels – of which she will be making 5 new ones that can be auctioned off as well.
These are some really nice, soft and beautiful blankets which are also very nice for displaying as well. I will be making a flyer for my wife and her friends to start passing out to all the quilt shops in the area – as they are in quilting clubs and there is a good pos-sibility of picking up more quilts in the future for different events as well. Those of you that have old uniforms, poncho liners etc – should bring them to the meetings, luncheons, breakfast meeting etc. May be good to make sure I will be there – as I travel a bit – but my wife will make sure they only get used for future quilt projects for these different groups they belong to. I can be reached at: 253-227-6584 Many of us live in different areas – check out your local fabric stores – pick up a panel or two – if you don’t know how to make them – bring them along with the old uniforms and pon-cho liners. Keep in mind – if you buy a panel – it takes two pieces to make the blankets.
A plain color that matches the front – would also be needed – but we can use what ever you can afford to bring. Thanks – pictured are the 5 different blankets my wife and daughter made—for our annual picnic auction. Am sure they will truly be enjoyed by someone. Quilt for our Auction
Bill brought this quilt to our last Breakfast which in-spired the other
blankets on this page. The quilt was also shown at the 13 Jun 2009 SFA Chap 16 Board Meeting. More info My wife Patty and I just did a trip from WA to IL and back—hitting many of the quilt and fabric shops across the states. We have picked up various materials to be used for fu-ture quilts and other items. If you make trips to other areas of the coun-try—check out the local fabric stores. Many times the patriotic materials go on sale right after 4th of July.
4 - Sixteenth Report Visit the Chapter’s website at www.sfachap16.org
Dinosaurs Luncheon on 30, July 2009 Chapter 16 members and spouses in attendance: Ed & Erma Booth, Jim & Elaine Lessler, Bob Dimond, Dave Crooker, Ted Wicorek, Nick Marvais, Fred Callahan, and Steve Epperson. Chapter 43 members in atten-dance: John Armezzani, Eulis Presley, and Skip Ettinger. Member at large: Fred Fielder. Guests: Dale Hedgepeth, Bob Bright, COL. John Hickey, Carl Mires, and Pierre J. Dubois. Wright Memorial Breakfast on 1, August 2009 Chapter 16 members and spouses in attendance: Jim & Elaine Lessler, Wayne & Yoko Karvonen, Loyd S. Go-mez, Ramiro Alonso, Chris Heim, Nick Marvais, Mike Cassidy, Fred Callahan, and Glen Craig. Chapter 43 members in atten-dance: Kevin Underwood and Skip Ettinger. Guests: Dave Balbe. Famous Quote “The only thing necessary for the tri-umph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” by Edmund Burke
Future Events 46th Company—Wounded Warri-ors Cruise 7 day luxury cruise—28 Nov—5 Dec. Caribbean Cruise—come join the fun. Visit the chapter website calendar for more info.
Upcoming Events Remember our online calendar is available at our SFA Chap 16 website at: http://sfachap16.org/calendar.htm you can literally set reminders to e-mail you of events at intervals you choose. Great way to get reminders for events. 5 Sep—Wright Memorial Break-fast Ft. Lewis Golf Course—0900 hrs. 21-27 Sep—5th SFG(A) Reunion Ft. Campbell, KY—see website calen-dar for more info. 21—25 SOAR XXXII Las Vegas, NV See chapter website calendar for more info. 25 Sep—Dinosaurs Luncheon Ft. Lewis Golf Course—1100 hrs 3 Oct—Wright Memorial Break-fast Ft. Lewis Golf Course—0900 hrs. 10 Oct—Bi-Monthly Chapter Meeting—Octoberfest Style—Bring food / drink Police Call — 0800 hrs Board Meeting — 1100 hrs 30 Oct—Dinosaurs Luncheon Ft. Lewis Golf Course—1100 hrs
Kids Q-Course interviews: By Bart R. Heimsness
I unfortunately missed this event—however, 6 of my 12 grandkids did not. Here is some info from them. Garrett—9 y/o—I liked the airsoft guns, but, I liked everything. Thanks to the guys for having the Special Forces Day. Haleigh 8 y/o—I liked everything—I met a new friend named Sophia. Thank you—it was fun. Hunter—7 y/o—I really liked the ob-stacle course. Mason—7 y/o—My favorite was the rock wall. I climbed half way up and got stuck, so they made me go up. I pulled the guy with the fake gun’s fake moustache. Chloe—7 y/o—My favorite was the giant climbing wall. Swinging on the rope and crawling under barbed wire was fun. Leah—5 y/o—I have 3 favorites: Rock climbing; the obstacle course; and the BB guns. My other favorite was squirt-ing the cute soldier with the water gun! Chris—Dad—My favorite was watch-ing the soldiers try to help the kids with MRE’s by reading the directions. Trisha—Mom—My favorite part was
watching the soldier repeatedly show all the kids how to low crawl! He was very energetic and excited to be there. It was very obvious everyone enjoyed being there. What a great time for the kids and the soldiers! Thank you Special Forces guys for putting
this to-gether for the kids!!!
CHAPTER XVI, SFA Past meetings and Future Events
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Ladies—Gents—we are only as good as our members—and it is up to each and everyone of us to do our part to help our chapter, it’s members, our families and our veteran community. With out our members—we would have no need for a chapter. Some of the ways you can help… Attend Functions—great example is the upcoming Korean War Memorial on 25 July. Not many of us were there—but we defi-nitely have living and deceased members that were. Let’s show them our support.
Order and wear your Green Blazer jacket to official functions—such as the Korean War Memorial or any of the memorials we attend for our fallen comrades. Attend the board meetings every other month—whether on the board or not—you can help make decisions that affect our entire membership. Besides—the potluck following is a blast—to sit around and visit with all the different generations of our soldiers and their wives. Bring new members to the chapter. Bring them to the monthly Chapter 16 Dinosaur luncheons or the month Chapter 16 Memorial Breakfasts. If you haven’t been in a while—make it a point to stop by and visit. Everyone tends to have a pretty good time. OH—and you don’t need to wear a blazer either… Volunteer to help out at chapter functions. We have several through the year—such as fund raising at the rest stops. We need people to man the stands handing out coffee and cookies and collecting donations. We could also utilize personnel to do some solicitations for us—from your local stores for donations of cookies / coffee / cups, etc. Every little bit helps. Annual Picnic—we will need help getting set up—so if you are available the day before—please con-tact Pastor Butch—contact info on front page of newsletter. Have items that can be auctioned off? Link up with Pastor Butch and let him know about them too. If they are really good items—let us know and we will get out in the next newsletter as well. We also need a dedicated photographer to take pictures for the chapter as well. Own a business or have a business that you simply love to utilize and promote? Introduce them to the Sixteenth Report—so they can advertise and get the word to all our members that read our newsletter.
What have you done lately to
promote or help the chapter?
6 - Sixteenth Report Visit the Chapter’s website at www.sfachap16.org
Pictures from 13 Jun Board Meeting
Politics & Veterans Issues by Bart R. Heimsness
Working with Ted Wicorek and others — and we will try and get a few of the important issues that apply to us as a vet-eran community—in order to get the word out more effectively—and help us get the laws passed to take care of our veterans here in WA State as well as other major issues effecting our veterans. Have a new MEET UP group at: http://www.meetup.com/Vets-Issues/ - come on by and sign up—this will help you keep up on all these issues. Invite everyone that is interested in the veterans issues to join this forum—together we can help to make a tremendous differ-ence.
The forum will also have other topics of interest as the board grows—like disability, PTSD, etc.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” by Edmund Burke
7 - Sixteenth Report
St. Phillip Neri, Silver Medal—Award By Charles Kraus
Chapter XVI is proud to announce the award of the St. Phillip Neri, Silver Medal to its long time patron and brother Mike Karr. Mike’s commitment to the U.S. Army, Special Forces, and the Special Forces Association spans over 40 years. This honor was supposed to be bestowed upon Mike at the National Convention in Las Vegas but Mike became ill and had to leave early. President Bill Gates recently pre-sented Mike the award during a stay in the hospital. Bill was accompanied by: his wife Steph, Vice President Jim Lessler and wife Elaine, Chaplain Jake Robinson, Secretary Charles Kraus, and Wayne and Yoko Kar-vonen. Mike was in good spirit during our visit, which we’re all sure came as a relief to the hospital staff who have been dealing with his stubborn nature and sharp verbal barbs. Mike being cantankerous informed all of us that he was a retired MSG upon hearing voices as we entering his room, but since we all either were the same rank or higher, it pulled no weight with us.
(Mike pictured here wearing his medal and being presented his citation of award) Mike “Ralph” Karr Hospitalized by Bart R. Heimsness Mike is still in the hospital—He is at
the Life Care Center. 707 228th Street SW. Bothell WA 98021 PH# 425 481 8500 He would love the company—as many of you know. I was in Korea when Mike was first hospitalized—and met Jim Wilde—former SF soldier—and got to speak-ing of some of the old timers around WA State area. When we mentioned each knowing Mike—he was thrilled—as Mike was his old Team Sergeant. With that being said—I took a picture of Jim and brought it to Mike at the hospital when I returned from Ko-rea—and took this photo of Mike with the photo of his old Team Mate. When Fred Callahan and I stopped in that day—the big ole smile on Mikes
face when he seen our SF symbols on our hats—and then seeing us—was well worth the visit itself. He called nurses over to introduce us as fellow SF veterans. Overall—his spirits were pretty de-cent—cantankerous attitude is defi-nitely there—but Mike is going to be there a while yet. His feet are pretty badly swollen—and his insurance runs out this coming weekend—and and he will be footing the bill himself for a while until he can either get it paid for by VA or his other health
Insurance (the one dropping him now). So—do what you can to sup-port our Brother SF Veteran—he has done tons for all of us over the years. B/3/1 Change of Command By Charles Kraus
Chapter XVI would like to congratulate both MAJ Joe McGraw and MAJ Terry “Butch” Butcher on their recent change of command. 3/1 SFG(A) conducted a change of command ceremony for B Co. on August 17th, lauding the outgoing commander MAJ Joe McGraw and wel-coming the incoming commander MAJ Terry Butcher. The ceremony drew many officers, NCOs, family, and friends from the 1st Group community. MAJ McGraw had a very successful tenure as B Co. CDR in-cluding meritorious combat rotation in Iraq. MAJ McGraw’s legacy sets up the in-coming commander for success. We wish MAJ McGraw and his family the best in all future endeavors. MAJ Butcher after his time as an Olmsted scholar studying in Thailand. Butch held numerous posi-tions in 1st Group prior to his departure, most notably, in my memory, being the team leader of ODA 154 (HALO). Butch’s former TM SGT, MSG (R) Bob Lund, brought his family to the ceremony and provided the below pictures. We wish MAJ Butcher much success and hopes he has rewarding and memorable time as company commander.
(MAJ McGraw, LTC Johnson, and MAJ Butcher awaiting the start of the ceremony)
CHAPTER XVI, SFA Other News
8 - Sixteenth Report Visit the Chapter’s website at www.sfachap16.org
Kids Q– Course By Charles Kraus
2nd BN, 1 SFG(A) recently conducted a “Kids Q-Course” at the 1st Group Com-pound on Ft. Lewis, WA. Chapter XVI supported the event by making a donation which assisted 2/1 SFG(A) FRG purchase T-Shirts for the participants. A cool T-Shirt is a powerful motivational tool for SF-Types why should their children be any different. The event that took place on August 14th consisted of roughly seven physical events culminating with an MRE lunch for all participates and their fami-lies. I guess you could say there were eight physical events if you count the MRE lunch, considering what meal you were lucky enough or unlucky enough to draw, this could be considered the most challenging event. The participants were aged 4 to 14 and in some cases younger than four. The event started with Lt. Col Petit, the 2nd BN CDR, conducting a for-mation, opening remarks and motivation check. The participants were then given a PT test and then broken down in groups to participate in the following events: vehicle push, shooting range, climbing wall, obstacle course, land navigation, and equipment run. It was impressive to see eagerness, motivation, and level of competitiveness in the kids. I know as I watched the PT run start I was thinking, “these kids want to win.” I also was glad I wasn’t in the pack, it looked rough, and the jockeying for position and usage of elbows gave a refreshing at competitive etiquette. It was a great bonding event and fun was had by all, kudos to 2/1 members and families.
(Event Board for Participants)
CHAPTER XVI, SFA Other News
(Luke Shell setting the standard for push-ups but when your dad is SGM Dave Shell they had better be good.)
(ATV push for the smaller guys, the older boys pushed the HUMMV.)
(Air-soft range)
(SFC Clint Ballard prepares a participant to assault the climbing wall)
SFA Annual Picnic—Pictures
Our Chapter Officers all made it—and even made time to pose!!!!
A lot of activity going on
Oh—the golf tournament was a go as well. Who won? Remainder of pictures will be posted to the website—watch for the links to those pics—and remember if you have some good shots—please do send them to me and I will get posted for all to see and share.
9 - Sixteenth Report
Chap XVI Member invited to High Angle Rescue Training By Charles Kraus
Chapter XVI secretary Charles Kraus was recently invited to assist and par-ticipate in 2/1 SFG(A)’s Battalion Medical Section’s high angle rescue training; conducted in Leavenworth, WA and on Mt. Rainier. The Med Section lead by MAJ Shawn Alder-man and SFC Ingrham Crawford has a bold forward-looking vision. They’re preparing the section to be force multipliers to either lead or as-sist in high angle mountaineering res-cue on both rock and mixed alpine snow and ice. The mature leadership and outstanding training guidance enabled mission success. There is always trepidation when conducting training in modified uniforms but due to National Park requirements along with the climate extremes made this a one no-brainer. Secretary Kraus was constantly im-pressed with the leadership, the men, and their ability to make friends and leave a strong positive long lasting impression on the civilian populace. He was also thankful that they took it easy on him because his “butt” was smoked trying to keep up with them.
Some more pics for your en-joyment
CHAPTER XVI, SFA Other News & Pictures
10 - Sixteenth Report Visit the Chapter’s website at www.sfachap16.org
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.
Wright Memorial Breakfast
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
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