SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 NOV, 2015

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SFA Chapter 29Sam and His Sons

A memorial service was held for Caroline Ratcliffe on Saturday, October 10, on the campus of Wentworth Military Academy & College in Lexington, Missouri. Caroline was the Chairman of the Humanities Department and a college Spanish Instructor there at Wentworth. Sam Ratcliffe and his three sons were assembled and in attendance for the service.

Pictured in the photo, above, from left to right, as LTC Robert Ratcliffe (whom you will notice is SF), our own Sam Ratcliffe, John Ratcliffe and CW3 David Ratcliffe. We, the chapter board, know that we speak for the entire chapter when we offer our deepest condolences to Sam, and his three sons.

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 NOV, 2015

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EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR SFA MEMBERS ONLY!

The Special Forces Charitable Trust announces an exclusive

offer of a 30% discount on all guns and ammo for all

current Special Forces Association (SFA) Members

with Remington Outdoor.

TO ORDER:

1. Email your interest and SFA membership number to: REMoffer@sfct.email

In the subject line please place “REM OFFER”.

2. SFCT will verify your membership.

3. Once verified, you will be emailed ordering instructions back from REMoffer.

Per the instructions, all correspondence and questions concerning your order

need to be directed to Remington and Not SFCT.

The SFCT established this program for the SFA in hopes of enriching membership benefits.

www.specialforcescharitabletrust.org

The Special Forces Charitable Trust (SFCT) continues to

strive to provide meaningful and lasting support to the

Special Forces Community, National Guard

and their Families.

Please support the Special Forces Charitable Trust

by contributing to us during this year’s CFC drive.

CFC #60000

SFA often has special and exclusive offers for members. This 30% discount on guns and ammunition, below, is one of those. These offers benefit the Special Forces community in that portions of sales go to the Special Forces Charitable Trust, which supports SF and SF families.

SFA Special Offers

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 NOV, 2015

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CALENDAR

2 Nov - BoD meeting, Delta Systems11 Nov - Veterans Day Ceremonies, Ft. Leavenworth7 Dec - BoD meeting, Delta SystemsDec - Xmas Party (See pg 4)

Jan and Feb meetings - TBD

Looking ahead: The annual KC SOF Formal will be in early April in 2-16, not March, as it is most years.

Newsletter Submissions: If ever you have any ideas, info or articles for this newsletter, please, contact Jeff Forker: jaforker@everestkc.net They are due by the 19th of each month.

Chapter OfficersTERRY “BULL” BUCKLER

Chapter President“MAD MIKE” NEER

Vice PresidentSAM “RICO” RATCLIFFE

Vice President-OpsROY “ROGUE” WILLIAMS

TreasurerJIM “SPIKE” SPEICHER

SecretaryJEFF FORKER

Membership and Newsletter Editor

News Updates

Newsletter Submissions

Iraq - Obama recently announced that he is sending more SOF troops to Iraq to combat ISIS/ISIL and that the new ROEs will involve those U.S. SOF troops accompanying Iraqi troops into combat. The reason for this is that recent fighting has shown that Iraqi Army troops simply will not stand and fight without U.S. troops, and tactical aircraft, to back them up. They will stand and fight, however, when part of militias. Hmmm.

Katie Wilder - Katie Wilder’s name has been making the rounds again, due to the female Rangers. CPT Wilder went through the SFQC Ossifer’s Course in 1980, but was never assigned to an ODA or able to wear a flash. She retired from the Army in the 1990s as an LTC, and since then has, from time to time, been vocal in politics.

We need submissions from within the chapter for this newsletter. These editors cannot be everywhere or document everything. Please, send AARs and photos of any chapter or non-chapter event of recent past that you attend, or notification or upcoming events that you think are relevant to SFA, Special Forces, Special Operations, chapter members, veterans, history, etc. It might be a heads-up about posers and wannabes, or about impending or new legislation. It can simply be Army or SF news, such as new vehicle contracts or new regulations or changes to the SF uniform, such as changing the beret color from rifle green to fabulous purple or passionate pink. And we would definitely need a photo of that.

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 NOV, 2015

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SFA Chapter XXIX Please Join Us for Our Annual Holiday Party

Saturday, December 19, 2015

11:30 – 14:00 Hours Brunch/Lunch

There is another group to follow ours, so we will need to leave by 14:00 hours.

Brandon Woods at Alvamar The Smith Center

4730 Brandon Woods Terrace Lawrence, Kansas

Meat: Ham Please bring a brunch/lunch side dish: appetizer, salad, vegetable, dessert.

(plates, cups, utensils provided by the facility)

Coffee, iced tea and water provided. You may bring your favorite beverage. Alcohol is allowed.

We need to provide the facility with a head count.

Please RSVP by December 14 to: Ron and Barb Simmons

Phone: 913-649-2810 Email: barbsimmons1@sbcglobal.net

Directions Via I-70 Via K-10 Take I-70 to exit #202 toward US-59 S/West Lawrence K-10 west to Lawrence. At Iowa, becomes Clinton Pkwy Proceed South on McDonald Dr and go 1.2 mi Go 2.5 miles on Clinton Pkwy to Wakarusa Dr. Turn slight right onto Rockledge Rd. and go 0.4 mi Turn right onto Wakarusa Dr. Take 2nd right onto W 6th St/US-40 W and go 2.3 mi

Go 0.8 miles and turn right onto Brandon Woods Terr. (If you reach Bob Billings Pkwy you’ve gone 0.1 mi too far)

Turn left onto Wakarusa Dr., go 1.2 mi, turn left onto Brandon Woods Terr. (If you reach Corporate Centre Dr. you’ve gone a little too far.) Proceed on Brandon Woods Terrace (4730 is on your left), to stop sign, turn left and left again into the parking lot.

Proceed on Brandon Woods Terrace (4730 is on your left), to stop sign, turn left and left again into the parking lot.

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 NOV, 2015

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October 7, 2015

Re: Memorial Wall to Honor the Fallen

On Thursday, November 5, 2015, The Special Forces AssociationCeremony for a Memorial Wall to honor the(A)). The event will be held in front of the Group Headquarters buildingField, Fl. This project was recently approved by the Secretary of the Army andConstruction is scheduled to begin in January 2016.

The Memorial Wall will feature two concrete wings, each with seven granite panels. The names oFallen Soldiers of the 7th SFG (A) will be engraved on the panelsGroup (Airborne) time period to dateconstruction team consists of DAG Architect, Charles W. Clary III, Roger A. Craft of RAC Engineers and generalcontractor, Randy Wise Homes, Inc.

The Memorial Wall will be funded with donations.panel, as we must cover the expenses of this wall toto honor their memory. Each of the 14 panels will cost $5,00name.

Sponsors of the memorial panels willthe base of the wall for all other donors over $Association is registered with the IRS as a national nonSection 501(c) (19) Veterans Organization

All donations are greatly appreciated. Please make checksP.O. Box 978, Shalimar, FL 32579. To learn more abou

We hope we can count on your supportWeek on 17 May of 2016, as many Families9371, Randy at 850-678-9473 or Frank at 850

Warmest regards,

Sam SmithSpecial Forces Association, Treasurer

Fallen Soldiers of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

On Thursday, November 5, 2015, The Special Forces Association (SFA) will hold an Official GroundbreakingCeremony for a Memorial Wall to honor the Fallen Soldiers of the 7th Special Forces

in front of the Group Headquarters building at the 7th

was recently approved by the Secretary of the Army and Secretary of the Air Force.onstruction is scheduled to begin in January 2016.

The Memorial Wall will feature two concrete wings, each with seven granite panels. The names owill be engraved on the panels extending from the

to date. The memorial will be lighted and feature a 60’consists of DAG Architect, Charles W. Clary III, Roger A. Craft of RAC Engineers and general

The Memorial Wall will be funded with donations. We would be grateful if you would consider sponsoring ar the expenses of this wall to provide the Families of theseEach of the 14 panels will cost $5,000, and the cost of engraving is $100 per

will have their names engraved on the panel andthe wall for all other donors over $250.00. Contributions may be deductibleis registered with the IRS as a national non-profit charity exempt from fed

Veterans Organization of the Internal Revenue Code.

All donations are greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to: Memorial WallTo learn more about the SFA, please visit www.sfa7.com.

We hope we can count on your support so that the dedication of the wall can take place during Red EmpireFamilies of the Fallen will be in attendance. Please call

or Frank at 850-269-1201 with any questions.

Randy Wise Frank BurgeRandy Wise Homes, President First Florida Bank, Chairman/CEO

Group (Airborne)

will hold an Official GroundbreakingSpecial Forces Group (Airborne) (7th SFG

th SFG (A) Compound. DukeSecretary of the Air Force.

The Memorial Wall will feature two concrete wings, each with seven granite panels. The names of over 250from the former 77th Special Forces

. The memorial will be lighted and feature a 60’ flagpole. The design andconsists of DAG Architect, Charles W. Clary III, Roger A. Craft of RAC Engineers and general

We would be grateful if you would consider sponsoring aof these Fallen Soldiers a monument

and the cost of engraving is $100 per Soldier

the panel and a plaque will be added todeductible, as the Special Forces

profit charity exempt from federal income tax under

Memorial Wall. Mail checks to: SFA7,, please visit www.sfa7.com.

so that the dedication of the wall can take place during Red Empire. Please call Sam at 850-217-

Frank Burgeorida Bank, Chairman/CEO

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 NOV, 2015

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News Updates (continued)

OctoberFest Picnic The Annual OctoberFest Picnic was held on 12 Sept at Wyandotte County Park, right next to the Renaissance Festival grounds, at Hwy 7 and I-70. There was a bountiful layout of food. Terry Buckler grilled burgers and brats, and wives brought lots of yummy side dishes. New faces were Jim Fales, retired 18D/SF medic, and MAJ Kelly Foster, a 1st Gp guy, currently attending the Command General and Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth. Once again, due to yapping, I forgot to sing the “Ein Prosic” song, the traditional German song sung during OctoberFeast. I promise that next year that I will not forget. I may even start singing it at every Chapter 29 event. Here are the lyrics: “Ein Prosit! Ein Prosit! Der Gemütlichkeit! Ein Prosit! Ein Prosit! Der Gemütlichkeit! Eins! Zwei! Drei! G’suffa!” You have been advised.

Chang of Command U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael K. Nagata relinquished command of Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darsie D. Rogers during a ceremony at SOCCENT Headquarters Oct. 28. Some questioned Nagata’s command effectiveness, due to recent set-backs in Iraq, and an operation that sought to train thousands of Iraqis, for a special battalion, to counter ISIS, and cost millions of dollars, but ended up actually putting about a squad of special Iraqis on the ground in Iraq. I knew Nagata as a young LT and Tm Cmdr at 1st Gp in 1984 and knew him then to be a very good officer. Sources now say that the recent SOCCENT setbacks were beyond his control, were more due to politics and unrealistic expectations.

US KIA in Iraq Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, 39, assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was killed in action Oct. 22, while deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Wheeler was a CAG (Delta) operator, and former Ranger, and was leading a team during a rescue operation. His death created much discussion about whether it was combat-related or not. The DoD tried to classify his death as “Non-Combat Related”. But others protested, saying that it was obviously combat-related, in spite of the bureaucracy and politics involved.

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 NOV, 2015

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Chapter XXIX Special Forces Association 10820 West 64th Street, Suite 202

Shawnee, KS 66203

Chapter Merchandise Order Form

Name _________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________

City ________________________ State______ Zip Code _______

E-Mail ________________________________________________

Chapter XXIX Coin 2 inches in diameter

$10.00 each, Shipping Charge $2.00 for one, $4.00 for two, $6.00 for 3 or more.

_____ Coins @ $10.00 + $_____.___ Shipping Charge $_____.___ Total Charge $_____.___

Chapter XXIX Polo Shirts Sizes: S M L XL 2XL Color: Forest Green, Black, Burgundy Red, White Logo: SFA Flash, SF Patch, SF Crest

SFA Flash SF Patch SF Crest

$30.00 each, Shipping Charge $7.00

_____ Shirts @ $30.00 Size ____ Color __________ Logo _________ Total Charge $_____.___

_____ Shirts @ $30.00 Size ____ Color __________ Logo _________ Total Charge $_____.___

_____ Shirts @ $30.00 Size ____ Color __________ Logo _________ Total Charge $_____.___

Shipping Charge $_____.___

Mail order form with check to: Chapter 29, SFA 10820 W 64th Street, Ste 202 Shawnee, KS 66203