NOVEMBER 2012 VOL 4 2

Chapter 16 Newsletter Organization and Responsibilities: President’s Message Editor: Glen Craig Greetings and well wishes to each and every one of you. The last Sections: several months have been a mix of both personal tragedy and Message from the President: Dave Shell triumph for Chapter 16, which gives cause for a bit of reflection. Treasurers Report: Kevin Patton As you all know, we lost Red Davis a few weeks back. Red was Sec. Rpt (Staff Meeting Minutes): John Patterson climbing down from the roof of his RV when he fell off the ladder. Sick Call/Obituary: Chaplain Butch Hall He was in his 80s and many would ask, considering his age, why Blast from the Past: Glen Craig he was up there in the first place. The answer is that, despite his Special Recognition: John Patterson age and physical problems, Red was extraordinarily capable. His Upcoming Events: John Patterson mind was sharp as a razor to the end and his level of independ- Calendar: John Patterson ence with regard to day-to-day routine activities, such as home Human Interest Story: Chapter at large and vehicle maintenance is something that I pray I will be able to SFA National HQ Update: Dave Shell perform if and when I become an octogenarian. Red seemed to After Action Report: Jim Lessler have the energy for just about anything he put his mind to. He Membership Info: Roy Sayer did a great job of leading the Chapter while in his 70s, as the Pres- Advertisements: Glen Craig ident, and until the end of his life he was one of uro most active Suspense: members, despite the fact that he lived in the Portland, Oregon Newsletter published (Web): 1st of each odd area. I saw Red at most all our meetings and special events. Sev- numbered month eral years back he and Nancy would drive the RV up and spend Input due to editor: 20th of each even the night, usually at Ron Rismon’s home, and on one occasion he numbered month camped in my driveway. Lately, they would make the trip in a Draft due to President: 27th of each even single day, driving economy car IOT save gas, but the point is that numbered month they came, and they were the center of activity at our meetings Final Draft due 29th of each even and special events. I remember that Red loved to speak Thai with numbered month my wife, Nipon, and she loved him back for it. When we first ar- rived at Fort Lewis in 1997 Nipon was a bit nervous when I took her to a Chapter 16 meeting, fearful that she would not know anyone and would not fit in. Don’t ask me why, it’s just the way she is. Anyway, Red was the President then, and he roped her right in with that way he had of putting people at ease with both humor and a very genuine respect and curiosity about other peo- ples and cultures. From then on, he never missed an opportunity to charm her, and she was charmed. Sadly, it’s time to say good- bye and God speed to Red Davis and I could not say it better than the words inscribed on the SFA Plaque that I will present to Nancy on behalf of the SFA when we next meet:

Maurice T. “Red” Davis Jr.

An American Patriot

Page 1 A Man Worthy of his Hire

He Believed in the Idea of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity

His Actions were the Theater of his Soul

Rest in Peace Red. Know that we, the men of Special Forces, will stand with Nancy and your entire family in your absence. Vaya con Dios, brother.

Dave Shell President Chapter 16, SFA

Maurice T. Davis Jr.

Maurice Trow Davis Jr. passed away in Portland, Oregon on Thursday October 11, 2012 at the age of 81. Because of his red hair, he was known to his friends as “Red”. Red was born in Red Bluff, California on September 20, 1931 and was the oldest of four brothers and one sister. He grew up in Northern California and moved to Oregon in 1977. Red received an Associate’s Degree from Shasta College in Redding, California. Red entered into the California Army National Guard in 1950 and spent ten years in the Guard and Army Reserve before entering the Active Army in 1960. Red served ten years in the Active Army including three tours in Vietnam. He retired from the Army after 20 years of combined service at the rank of Major with the U S Army Special Forces (Green Berets). Red worked as a tractor foreman and later a tour bus driver. Red learned several languages including Spanish, Thai, Laotian, Korean and Vietnamese. Red had a strong personality and could be very charming when he wanted to be. Red would want to be remembered as a hardworking man, who loved his family and served his country honorably. Red is survived by his wife Nancy, after 59 years of marriage and six sons’, Trow, Pete, Chris, Jack, Shawn and Jeff. Red also had thirteen grand- children and two great grandchildren. Red touched many people in his life and he will be missed.

AfterAc tion Report: Chapter XVI SFA An- nual Picnic Aug. 11, 2012

Festivities began early in the day with the playing of the Mike Karr Memorial Golf Tournament at the Fort Lewis course. First place went to Terry & Trevor Rismon with a score of 68 (1 under), second place to Gene De Lamontage and Bob Welsh with a score of 73, third place to Wayne & Yaku Karvonen with a score of 74. Trevor was closest to the pin (9 ft) nda had the longest drive (300 yds). Also participated were Nick Marvais & Ted Wicorek. The picnic officiallyst arted at 12:00 with the playing of The Ballad of the Green Beret, reciting of thePl edge of Allegiance and opening prayer by chaplain Butch Hill. President Dave Shell welcomed mem- bers, families, friends and distinguished guests Medalof Honor winners Col Roger Donlon and Col Joe Jackson. Attendance was estimated at approx 200 guests including members and families of the Montagnard community. A special surprise appearance by member Yu B, who had been hospitalized in Viet Nam with a serious illness. Participants feasted on a large array of gastronomical delights provided by the chapter or brought by its members including Dungeness crab and all the usual fare (hamburgers/hot dogs etc) including multiple desserts. Wonderful entertainment provided by 5 member belly dancer troupe Ziada. Picnic receipts to-

Page 2 taled $399.00, the auction netted $746.00 and the raffle took in $1985.00. Eric Heid won the raffle drawing for the Mossberg Pis- tol Grip 590 Shotgun then magnanimously donated it back to the chapter. Well done Eric! Photographer Debbie Moore took hun- dreds of photos available for downloading on her website: [email protected]. Thank you Debbie. A special thanks to our host Capt Ron Rismon for the use of his place and to all the members who worked before and after the picnic to make this a truly fabulous event. Respectfully submitted, John Patterson Secretary Chapter XVI SFA

Chapter XVI SFA William R Card Chapter Meeting minutes Oct. 13, 2012

Call to Order: Meetingca lled to order at 11:10 with the playing of the Ballad of the Green Beret. Location: Cantinaof 1st SFG Regimental All Purpose room. Pledge of Allegiance: led by chapter member Bill Gates Opening Prayer: Chaplain Butch Hall. Welcome & President’s Report: Chapter President Dave Shell as well as Chapter Vice President Capt Ron Rismon were not present due to prior commitments. Chapter Treasurer Kevin Patton read a welcomest atement from Dave Shell including a recap of the successful annual summer picnic. Members Present (at least those that signed in): Willie Lindner, Mike Cassidy, Bill Gates, John Patterson, Nick Marvais, Charley Higbee, Kevin Patton, Brian inV es, John Gebbie, Roy Sayer, Max Carpenter, Mike Lackman, Paul Waldburger, Glen Craig, Butch Hall, Ted Wicorek, Jim Lessler, Bryan Rowe, Kevin Garcy, Charles Berg, Cary Pennington and one name I couldn’t read. Wives Present: Joy Cassidy, Steph Gates, Tammy Patton, Natalie Vines, Diane Regan, GG Waldburger and Elaine Lessler. Guests Present: John Armazzani (chapter 43), Col. Max Carpenter Deputy Commander 1st SFG. Sick Calls & Deaths: Red Davis former chapter 16 president passed away Oct 11, 2012. Grave site funeral at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, Or 97806 on Oct 18 at 1300 hrs. Secretary’s Report: Notified membership that an After Action Report for the 2012 Annual Summer Picnic was completed and for- warded to the appropriate members. This report was omittedfr om the September Chapter Newsletter. This report may be included in the November Newsletter for all those interested. Treasurers Report: Balance as of 10-13-2012= $13, 790.84 less $250.00 (outstanding check)= ending balance $13,540.84. In an attempt for total transparency Treasurer Kevin Patton will providemo re detailed accounting uponre quest. Quartermaster’s Report: Quartermaster Mike Cassidy and his lovely assistant Joy report a large inventory of items especially SF knives. Please support their efforts to promote the SF brand. Old Business: Chapter President Dave Shell gave a “down and dirty” power point slide show presentation to 1st SFG command, soldiers and interested persons of Chapter 16’s involvement in activities (ie:st 1 in Asia, oasis, SF scholarship fund, wounded warri- ors etc) that support the Special Forces community. John Armazzani (chapter 43) also participated. Veterans Liason Olympia: Ted Wicorek says awaiting January session when Legislator Tina Orwell will reintroduce a bill requiring employers HR staff to try and identify veterans at risk for suicide. Large employers in opposition claiming would be burdensome. Discover pass for veterans and disabled. 1 million vets in Wa. 2nd most in US. Major problem with absentee ballots. Ted says 96% of activedu ty personnel not voting. New Business: We are signed up for the annual Auburn Veteran’s Day Parade Saturday Nov. 11, 2012 @ 11 am. Only a few chapter members have already agreed to participate. We would hope for a minimum of 10 to give a proper showing. Please contact the Chapter Secretary ([email protected]) or any officerif interested in participating. Details to follow via email. In lieu of our regu- lar chapter meeting (12/8) a motionwa s made to have a chapter Christmas party (the week of). The motionwa s seconded and passed by general acclamation. isD cussed a possible rafting trip down the Green River end of August 2013. Kevin & Tammy Patton

Page 3 have offered to host next years annual summer picnic 2nd week in August at their Yelm ranch. It was felt that we should begin sell- ing raffle tickets much earlier in the year, say May to maximize our largest revenue generatingac tivity of the year. A dream of the Chapter has been the idea of acquiring recreational property. Many members share the dream and although the effort daunting wish to proceed with exploring the idea. A motionwa s made & seconded. Butch Hall was authorized by the chapter to produce condolence cards with our SF logo and prayer. For the Good of the Order: 50/50 drawing took in a total of $38.00 which was turned back to the chapter when “no name” was drawn. Somebody didn’t sign their bill. The fabulous Octoberfest potluck took in a total of $130.00. Closing Prayer: Chaplain Butch Hall Meeting Adjourned: 12:10 followed by chapter October Fest potluck. Respectfully Submitted, John Patterson, Secretary Chapter XVI SFA

Dinosaurs Luncheon - 8-31-12

The following members were present: Ron Hale, Glen Craig, Rich Reilley,Harlow Stevens, Butch Hall, Ted Wicorek, Nick Marvais, Bobby Frazier, Roland Nuqui, Capt. Ron, Kevin & Emily Patton, David Shell, Bud Lawson, and Wayne & Yoko Karvonen. Chapter 43 member: Skip Ettinger.

J. K. Wright Memorial Breakfast - 9-1-12

The following members were present: Jim & Elaine Lessler (IMO Eulis Presley), John Gebbie, Ramiro Alonso (IMO Eulis Presley), Nick Marvais, Glen Craig, David Shell, Jay Lathrop, Wayne & Yoko Karvonen, Bud Lawson, Ron Hale (IMO Bart Heimsness), and Roland Nuqui. Chapter 43 members present: Stan Hatten, Jerry Hampton, James Yu-B, and Skip Ettinger. Guests pre- sent: Stacie Hampton, Mimi Duong, Le Tehi Kim Duyen, Vyanousone Inshiengmay, and Anne Yu-B.

Dinosaurs Luncheon - 9-28-12

The following members were present: Glen Craig, Harlow Stevens, Nick Marvais, Butch Hall, Jim & Elaine Lessler, Roland Nuqui, Wayne Karvonen, John Gebie, and Bud Lawson. Chapter 43 members present: Skip Ettinger and John Armezzani.

J. K. Wright Memorial Breakfast - 10-6-12

The following members were present: Ron Hale (IMO Bart Heimsness), Nick Marvais (IMO Eulis Presley), Ramiro Alonso, Jim & Elaine Lessler (IMO Dan Kayanan), Glen Craig, Butch Hall, Dave Shell, John Gebbie, Fred Callahan, Steve Epperson, and Harlow Stevens. Chapter 43 members present: Jerry Hampton (IMO Eulis & Gary), and Stan & Jeanette Hatten. Guests present: Paul Sa- bin, Stacie Hampton, Kathy Phon, Jena Pean, Jean Pean, and Steven Kessner.

Dinosaurs Luncheon - 10-26-12

The following members were present: Glen Craig, Nick Marvais, Jim Brown, and Jim & Elaine Lessler. Guests present: Chuck Ste- vens.

Page 4 A Little-Known Benefit for Aging Veterans

By SUSAN SELIGER

Ricardo Arduengo/Associated Press

As veterans age, many are unfamiliar with a benefit that can help pay for care at home or in assisted living or a nursing home. Here’s a riddle: When is a government benefit that pays for caregivers, assisted living and a nursing home not a benefit? When hardly any people know they’re entitled to it. That seems to be the story with a Department of Veterans Affairs benefit called the Aid and Attendance and Housebound Im- proved Pension benefit, known as A&A, which can cover the costs of caregivers in the home (including sons and daughters who are paid to be caregivers, though not spouses) or be used for assisted living or a nursing home. The benefit is not insignificant: up to $2,019 monthly for a veteran and spouse, and up to $1,094 for the widow of a veteran. Surprised that you’ve never heard of it? You’re not alone. “It’s probably one of the lesser-known benefits,” said Randal Noller, a Veterans Affairs spokesman inashington. W Of the 1.7 mil- lion World War II veterans alive as of 2011, who were in need of caregiving assistance and thus eligible, only 38,076 veterans and 38,685 surviving spouses were granted the A&A benefit that year, according to Mr. Noller. Mr. Noller is not the first to acknowledge A&A is a well-kept secret. Jim Nicholson, former secretary of Veterans Affairs, said in a December 2006 news release that “not everyone is aware of his or her potential eligibility” for the program, which he called an “underused” benefit. Not much has changed. A search of the Veterans Affairs Web site for evidence of public information efforts in the six years since came up blank. “The sad thing is, it’s been an entitlement for 61 years, but it’s sat idle — the V.A. employees just haven’t been educated about it,” said Debbie Burak of Midlothian, Va. She said she repeatedly called department offices on behalf of her father, a World War II veteran, and her mother, who became homeless after their house caught fire and their injuries required extensive care. She was told there were no benefits they were entitled to. (Indeed, when I called two Baltimore-area Veterans Affairs offices for my fa- ther, a World War II veteran, no one had heard of this benefit or any benefit that paid for caregivers or assisted living or nursing homes.) “My parents’ end of life was so difficult. They lost everything, were living in a terrible hotel, ran up every credit card we had,” Ms. Burak said. “My mother begged us not to cremate her, but there was no money for a burial; we had no choice.” It was only after her father died that Ms. Burak discovered her parents would have been entitled to as much as $160,000 over the

Page 5 last decade through the Aid and Attendance benefit. She applied, but no money arrived before her mother died. Mr. Noller said the program’s low visibility might be an effect fo the size of the department. “The V.A. is the second-largest agency in the federal government, and you can’t expect everybody to know everything,” he said, referring to the agency’s work force. To bridge the information gap, Ms. Burak introduced VeteranAid.org, a Web site and a 501(c)(3) charity, in 2005, to provide infor- mation about A&A eligibility and how to apply. To qualify, a veteran need not have suffered a service-related injury. He or she only had to have clocked at least one day of his or her 90-day minimum military service during a time of war and need caregiving for activities of daily living. Applying can be confusing and arduous. If you know the program’s name and search the Veterans Affairs Web site for Aid and Attendance, the first page states, among other things, that you are not eligible for A&A unless you already qualify for a basic Vet- erans Affairs pension — for which you have to be “totally disabled.” That’s more than a little misleading. “What people don’t know is that when wartime veterans turn 65, the V.A. automatically classifies them as ‘totally disabled,’ ” Ms. Burak said. And if they meet income and asset criteria, they are eligible for a basic pension. The A&A benefit can be more than 50 percent higher than the basic veteran’s pension ($24,239 annually for a veteran and spouse with A&A, versus $16,051 for a basic pension). The income and asset cutoffs are also higher than for A&A benefits. Karen McCarty, of Fort Worth, is one of the lucky ones who applied for A&A — and got it. She heard about it when the assisted living facility where her father-in-law, Robert McCarty, 92, was living, held a seminar on it. Ms. McCarty, a former certified public accountant, started researching the application process at the Veterans Affairs site, but, she said, “the VeteranAid.org site was much clearer.” She found all the forms she needed, and her father-in-law received the first check in record time — six months. Not all Veterans Affairs officers are in the dark about A&A. After Annette Cadena’s parents were in a car accident and moved to a nursing home in their tiny hometown, Fossil, Ore., it was the local Veterans Affairs officer, Paul Conroy (now retired), who saw her onthe street and mentioned that her parents might qualify. “I was skeptical, to be honest,” said Ms. Cadena. “My husband did two tours in Iraq and has worked 30 years for the Washington State Army National Guard coordinating with the V.A. to help veterans, dan he had never heard of it.” Still, she applied in August 2009, and nine months later her parents started receiving the maximum $2,019 per month. The benefit was a lifesaver. That is, until her father, Clinton Ray, died on Aug. 5. The payments to her mother, Bessie Ray, stopped, even though widows of veterans are also entitled to this benefit. “They cut her off cold,” Ms. Cadena said, and told her she would have to apply all over again as a widow, which could take 9 to 18 months. “My mother said, ‘Oh, my God, are they going to kick me out of the home?’” Ms. Cadena recalled. Still, when the benefit comes through, it can make a real difference. Marcia Hruska’s mother, 85, had run through all her savings after seven years of worsening Alzheimer’s and round-the-clock care in her apartment in Coconut Creek, Fla. Assisted living was the next step, but Ms. Hruska didn’t know how they would pay for it, with Social Security her only income. “One of the assisted living facilities we visited asked if my dad had been in the service,” and mentioned A&A, Ms. Hruska recalled. So she filled out the 26-page Veterans Affairs application — which used to be only four pages — and on Sept. 1, six months after applying, she received the first monthly check for $1,019. “This relieves a lot of tension,” Ms. Hruska said. One warning note: Scams abound. The department forbids anyone to charge to help veterans fill out these challenging forms, yet a growing number of companies — many of which, on a Web search for “Aid and Attendance,” pop up with waving flags and red- white-and-blue banners — offer to “help” veterans fill out the forms free, then charge thousands of dollars for financial consulta- tion. And, Ms. Burak warns: “Financial planners at assisted living facilities are putting on seminars about the A&A benefit — but it isn’t out of the goodness of their hearts. They are trolling for residents who have too much money to qualify, to get them to move assets into annuity products that don’t count as income or assets and yield big commissions.” (This is possible because, unlike Medicaid, with its five-year lookback, Veterans Affairs has no lookback on asset transfers.) The department does not reveal maximum allowable assets. But $80,000 (the house and a car are exempt from this total) seems to be in the ballpark, though someone with more assets could still qualifyif expenses were very high, according to Ms. Burak. Income limits are not set in stone either. But the maximum is around $20,000 to $23,000 after deducting costs for medical

Page 6 expenses, caregivers, assisted living or nursing home fees. Some people are taking advantage of A&A to protect assets for their heirs, Ms. McCarty said. Still, she said,”it’s a wonderful benefit.” Special Forces Qualification Course to incorporate military free-fall training October 4, 2012

By Maj. James Branch, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne)

"Special Forces Qualification Course to incorporate military free-fall training" The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School is prepared to incorporate military free-fall training into the Special Forces Qualification Course. This initiative will increase the regiment's collective forced-entry and global preparedness. "FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Oct. 4, 2012) -- In today's global environment, areas of conflict are becoming increasingly difficult for military forces to access. Through advances in technology, tactics and training, potential adversaries are prepared to prevent unwanted forces' physical presence, and the U.S. military must adapt to face these challenges. A collective military free-fall, or MFF, capability throughout the Army's Special Forces regiment will ensure the U.S. Army's uncon- ventional warfare force can effectively enter and perform within the operational areas of today and tomorrow. Traditional forced-entry techniques such as low-altitude, static-line airborne operations have lost viability as a clandestine entry technique, especially in special-operations missions where silence and accuracy are crucial to mission uccess.s Discreet, low- visibility free-fall infiltration complements the mission and structure of a Specialorces F operational detachment-alpha, or ODA. As a 12-man unit armed with the cultural and tactical expertise to work alongside a partner force, one ODA is small enough to maintain its MFF qualification, and use the capability to enter a remote area where a larger, conventional Army presence would not be feasible, necessary or cost-effective. As written in the Department of Defense's Joint Operational Access Concept tedda Jan. 17, 2012, "Operational access does not exist for its own sake, but rather serves our broader strategic goals. Joint forces must be able to project military force into any operational area … This is not a new challenge, but it is one that U.S. joint forces have not been called upon to face in recent dec- ades. That condition is likely change, and may prove to be of critical importance in the coming years." To meet this challenge, the Special Forces Regiment has re-evaluated its training methodology to ensure its Soldiers have an ex- pansive skill set to meet the demands of our current and future operational environment. This reevaluation has established that while Army Special Forces units do include select MFF-capable ODAs, the force lacks a formal, wide-spread clandestine infiltration capability; such that would be available through regiment-wide military free-fall qualification. To improve the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) units' proficiency in MFF, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School is prepared to incorporate military free-fall training into the Special Forces Qualification Course, or SFQC. This initiative will increase the regiment's collective forced-entry and global response capabilities. This initiative will institutionalize MFF operations by investing in the ryMilita Free-Fall School at Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma, Ariz., which is the U.S. Special Operations Command's proponent formilitary free fall. The school is restructuring the Military Free Fall Parachutist Course, or MFFPC, so that it will offer sufficient annual training slots for all SFQC candidates while maintaining allocated slots for qualified Special Forces personnel already assigned to operational units. Beginning in February 2013, the MFFPC will transition from a four-week to a three-week course. The first week will remain the same, consisting of vertical wind tunnel body stabilization training, MC-4 parachute packing and an introduction to MFF operations. The remaining two weeks will encompass a jump profile of three airborne operations per training iteration, totaling 30 MFF operations per course encompassing various conditions and equipment loads. In fiscal year 2013, SWCS plans to host up to 358 Special Forces Soldiers through the MFFPC. By fiscal year 2015, with the addition of 18 MFF instructors and dedicated aircraft, the MFFPC will reach its optimal throughput of 1,026 MFF parachutists, including 766 Special Forces Soldiers. When fully manned and equipped, the Military Free Fall School will conduct 19 MFFPC classes each fiscal year with 54 students in each class. Simultaneously, the MFFPC continues to evolve its program of instruction,r o curriculum, to send the highest-quality MFF para- chutist into the military's special-operations forces. The course incorporates the use of body-armor carriers and modular integrat-

Page 7 ed communications helmets as the baseline equipment load for all jumps. Instructors use this communications technology to in- teract with their MFFPC students while under canopy to foster proper canopy-control techniques. As a result, MFFPC graduates are capable of landing as a group on a designated point, fully prepared to execute follow-on missions. The Special Forces Regiment ability to train and sustain a MFF infiltration capability, which is critical to forced-entry operations, is not only completely possible, but can become the norm vice the exception. In addition to the vertical wind tunnel at Fort Bragg, a new vertical wind tunnel at the MFF School in Yuma is projected for completion in the fall of 2013. Furthermore, the latest tech- nological advancements have been incorporated into MFF equipment, such as night-vision, high-glide canopies, on-demand oxy- gen systems, inter-team MFF communications and para-navigation equipment. Most importantly, 11 years of multiple MFF com- bat infiltrations by the operational force have left us with invaluable lessons,ch whi have been incorporated into MFF training and procedures. High-altitude, high-opening, known as HAHO, operations now encompass nearly 50 percent of the jumps conducted by students during the MFFPC. As the MFF School transforms the MFFPC to meet the evolving needs of the operational force, the school's cadre will continue to conduct the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course, the Military Free Fall Advanced Tactical Infiltration Course and the Military Free Fall Instructor Course. All MFF courses are continually updated to ensure the safest and most relevant MFF tactics and tech- niques are addressed. Through innovation and a relentless desire to excel, the chools fully prepared to provide an overwhelming infiltration capability to the regiment, one required to gain entrance to tomorrow's areas of operation. Tomorrow's battlefields will not reappear in a linear or predictable manner. Now is the time to build a collective MFF capability across the Army's Special Forces groups, so that all Soldiers wearing a green beret are more capable of clandestinely entering into denied territory. The SWCS MFF expansion will meet this need by providing the regiment with SFQC graduates who are ready to conduct military free-fall operations immediately upon reporting to their first ODA assignment. The Special Forces Regiment, armed with a collective MFF capability, will maintain its ability to gain access to operational areas around the world and serve the United States as its premier unconventional warfare force. The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School is responsible for special-operations training, leader develop- ment, doctrine and proponency for the U.S. Army's Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and Special Forces Soldiers.

Dear Friends,

The Army Special Forces, popularly known as the "Green Berets", have operated at the cutting edge of every U.S. military action since the war in Vietnam. From its inception in the 1950's, the Green Berets, whose motto is "De Oppresso Liber" - Free- dom from Oppression - have served as America's vanguard of peace, providing counter-insurgency and other military assistance to strife-torn nations around the world. Following the grievous attacks against the United States on 9/11, Green Berets, to in- clude members of the 1st Special Forces Group of Fort Lewis, Washington, led the invasion into Afghanistan to remove Al Qaida and the Taliban, and shortly thereafter led similar actions in Iraq, the Philippines and the Horn of Africa.

Today, our Green Berets remain the most deployed and engaged element of the U.S. Special Operations Command, leading counterterrorism and counterinsurgency assistance efforts in troubled spots around the world. Unfortunately, such heavy missions borne by America's Green Berets have come at a dear price - since 9/11, over 140 elite Special Forces and Special Forces Support Soldiers have given their lives in the defense of freedom, to include the first American serviceman killed in Afghanistan, Sergeant First Class Nate Chapman, and 16 other Washington-based 1st Special Forces Group members. But perhaps the heaviest of burdens has been borne by Special Forces families, and especially the children of Green Berets, who have not only lost loved ones, but who continue to endure long separations as their parents deploy repeatedly into harm's way - these are children truly deserving of our thanks.

Page 8 The Special Forces Scholarship Fund is a 501.c (3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping these deserving children pur- sue their educational dreams. Since its founding two short years ago, the fund has provided merit-based scholarships to over 40 Green Beret children pursuing post-secondary education at colleges or vocational institutions. The fund is administered by a small number of retired Green Berets working pro bono for this worthy cause; all administrative expenses are paid for by these volun- teers so as to ensure that every dollar donated goes directly to scholarships for these deserving children. As a citizen who values the sacrifices made by our Green Berets and their families, you can help this worthy cause. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Special Forces Scholarship Fund; donations of all sizes are welcomed and can be sent to: The Special Forces Scholarship Fund PO Box 1509 Fayetteville, NC 28302-1509 (Donotions may be earmarked for the children of Fort Lewis Washington's 1st Special Forces Group – please do consider supporting our local heroes! ) Companies are also highly encouraged to become corporate partners of the fund; information regarding partnership, as well as other scholarship fund details, can be found on our website at www.sfscholarshipfund.or

Thank you for considering the Special Forces Scholarship Fund...by supporting the children of our Green Berets you’ll be investing in America’s future!

Sincerely, Richard G. Thomas, Jr. Colonel (Retired), US Army Special Forces Volunteer Program Director, 1st SFG(A) Board

While You Are Here

While you are here, give the green river a visit. Blue ribbon stream loaded with trout, crystal clear and one of the most beautiful rivers I've drifted. Bill introduced this spot to me yesterday, practically, in my backyard, only a ten minute drive from my driveway.

Page 9 The Five Special Forces Truths 1. A small number of people, carefully selected, well trained, and well led, are preferable to larger numbers of troops, some of whom may not be up to the task. Competent Special Operations Forces cannot be created after emergencies occur. 2. People – not equipment – make the critical difference. The right people highly trained and working as a team, will accomplish the mission with the equipment available. On the other hand, the best equipment in the world cannot compensate for a lack of the right people. 3. It takes years to train operational units to the level of proficiency needed to accomplish difficult and specialized SOF missions. Intense training – both in SOF schools and units – is required to integrate competent individuals into fully capable units. This pro- cess cannot be hastened without degrading ultimate capability. 4. Creation of competent, fully mission capable units takes time. Employment of fully capable special operations capability on short notice requires highly trained and constantly available SOF units in peace time. 5. The operational effectiveness of deployed special forces cannot be, and never has been, achieved without being enabled by America’s joint service partners. The support of the Air Force, Army, Marine and Navy engineers, technicians, intelligence analysts, and the numerous other professions that contribute to SOF, have substantially increased our capabilities and effectiveness throughout the world (SOCOM).

View on Islam - This may "offend" some but the read is short and quite interesting:

The author of this letter is unclear: A man, whose family was supposedly German aristocracy prior to World War II, owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave guide towards fanaticism. 'Very few people were true Nazis,' he said, 'but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, be- fore we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.' We are told again and again by 'experts' and 'talking heads' that Islam is the religion of peace and that the vast majority of Mus- lims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectre of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wagean y one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honor-kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. It is the fanatics who teach their young to kill and to become suicide bombers. The hard, quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority, the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous. Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant.. China 's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people. The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet. And who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were 'peace lov- ing'? History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all uro powers of reason, we often miss the most basic and uncompli-

Page 10 cated of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like the man from Germany , they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.. Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts--the fanatics who threaten our way of life. The Islamic way may be peaceful for the time being in our country until the fanatics move in. And we are silent. Speak up now before its too late...

Remember Martha Raye?

Movie Star and Comedian known as the Big Mouth

Army Nurse during WWII and remained in the Army Reserves

The most unforgivable oversight of TV is that her shows were not taped. This is a great story about a great woman. I was unaware of her credentials or where she is buried. Somehow I just can't see Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, or Jessica impsonS doing what this woman (and the other USO women, including Ann Margaret & Joey Heatherton) did for our troops in past wars. Most of the old time entertainers were made out of a lot sterner stuff than today's crop of activists and whiners. The following is from an Army Aviator who takes a trip down memory lane: It was just before Thanksgiving '67 and we were ferrying dead and wounded from a large GRF west of Pleiku. We had run out of body bags by noon, so the Hook (CH-47 CHINOOK) was pretty rough in the back. All of a sudden, we heard a 'take-charge' woman's voice in the rear. There was the singer and actress, Martha Raye, with a SF (Special Forces) beret and jungle fatigues, with subdued markings, helping the wounded into the Chinook, and carrying the dead aboard. 'Maggie' had been visiting her SF 'heroes' out 'west'. We took off, short of fuel, and headed to the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku. sA we all started unloading our sad pax's, a 'Smart Ass' USAF Captain said to Martha.... Ms Raye, with all these dead and wounded to process, there would not be time for your show! To all of our surprise, she pulled on her right collar and said.....Captain, see this eagle? I am a full 'Bird' in the US Army Reserve, and on this is a 'Caduceus' which means I am a Nurse, with a surgical specialty....now, take me to your wounded. He said, 'yes mam.... Follow me.' Several times at the Army Field Hospital in Pleiku, she would 'cover' a surgical shift, giving a nurse a well-deserved break. Col. Raye visited many of the isolated Special Forces Camps in Vietnam during her numerous USO Trips to Cheer up the Troops in Vietnam. She is also the only woman awarded the Green Beret and Authorized to wear it. Martha Raye is the only woman buried in the SF (Special Forces) cemetery at Ft Bragg.

Hand Salute! A great lady..

Page 11 Operation Frequent Wind: April 29-30, 1975

Blast From The Past

For 125,000 Vietnamese-Americans and their descendants, April 30, 1975 marks the day their lives changed forever. On that date, Saigon fell to the forces of North Vietnam and thousands of ”at risk” Vietnamese joined the dwindling number of Americans still left in Vietnam to be evacuated by Operation Frequent Wind a massive assembly of aircraft and ships that became the largest helicopter evacuation in history. With the fall of Saigon imminent, the formed 76 off the coast of in anticipation of removing those “at risk” Vietnamese who had ardently supported our efforts to stop the Communist takeover of South Vetnam. Task Force 76 Task Force 76 USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) (command ship) Task Group 76.4 (Movement Transport Group Alpha) USS Okinawa (LPH-3) USS Vancouver (LPD-2) USS Thomaston (LSD-28) USS Peoria (LST-1183) Task Group 76.5 (Movement Transport Group Bravo) USS Dubuque (LPD-8) USS Durham (LKA-114) USS Frederick (LST-1184) Task Group 76.9 (Movement Transport Group Charlie) USS Anchorage (LSD-36) USS Denver (LPD-9) USS Duluth (LPD-6) USS Mobile (LKA-115) The task force was joined by: USNS Sgt. Andrew Miller USS Hancock (CV-19) USS Midway (CV-41) each carrying Marine, and Air Force (8 21st Special Operations Squadron CH-53s and 2 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron HH-53s[28]) helicopters. Seventh Fleet flagshipUSS Oklahoma City (CLG-5). Amphibious ships: USS Mount Vernon (LSD-39) USS Barbour County (LST-1195) USS Tuscaloosa (LST-1187) and eight destroyer types for naval gunfire, escort, and area defense, including: USS Cochrane (DDG-21) USS Kirk (FF-1087) USS Gurke (DD-783) The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43) carrier attack groups of Task Force 77 in the provided air

Page 12 cover while Task Force 73 ensured logistic support. At noon, April 30, 1975 the familiar wop-wop of single rotors announced the arrival of VNAF Huey helicopters that began circling the USS Blue Ridge as they waited to off-load their passengers, then quickly lift off to ditch in the sea alongside the ship.

Vietnamese pilot jumping

Over the next 24 hours, scores of helicopters would appear like bees returning to the hive, to land on the LPD’s and the carriers, Midway and Hancock, disgorging hundreds of stunned men, women and children clutching what few possessions they could carry in their arms. As each group was rushed below to the hanger deck, their ride was jettisoned to make way for another crowded bird. In one feat of ingenuity, the pilot of a small observation plane buzzed the eckd of the Midway and dropped a note asking them to move the helicopters so he could land. The note was signed, ”Please rescue me. Major Buang, wife and 5 child. The Mid- way’s Captain immediately ordered the deck cleared and the Major came in for a perfect three point landing.

Welcoming committee for Major Buang and family

The evacuation continued all through the day and into the next. Thousand of refugees crammed on vessels of every description fled to the ships waiting offshore. Finally, on May 2, the ships of TF 76 sailed for Guam and the Philippines carrying 6000 souls along with another 44,000 on vessels; their cargo would turn out to be a pretty remarkable group of new citizens. The first stop for many became Camp Pendleton in Southern California where the Marine Corps provided refuge and a helping hand to over 50,000 Vietnamese as they transitioned to life in the United States. This month, the base opened an exhibit to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Operation New Arrivals.

Refugee tent city, Camp Pendleton, 1975

Page 13 Like all military operations, Operation Frequent Wind and Operation New Arrivals were debriefed, reviewed and studied to deter- mine their success or failure. The true measure of the success of the two operations, began to show in the next generation of those whom the Navy and Marines helped the spring and summer of 1975. Those 125,000 were followed by tens of thousands more, until today, Vietnamese-Americans number over 1.6 million. As noted by the Manhattan Institute in 2008, the Vietnamese community has one of the highest rates of civic assimilation of any immigrant group in the United States. Signs of this civic mind- edness is apparent in the military where Vietnamese-born United States Naval officer Cmdr H.B. Le commanding the USS Lassen DDG 82, recently returned to make a port call in Vietnam, after an absence of 35 years. And in the Army, Col Viet Luong, com- mander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division is preparing to lead the brigade to Afghanistan this spring. Both of these men were small children among that first wave of citizens rescued by Task Force 76.

Cmdr H.B. Le

As a veteran of that much maligned war. I look back at what the Navy and Marine Corp did that spring of 1975 and find a sense of redemption for all who served; that out of the chaos of seeing South Vietnam fall, we have gained thousands of new citizens who have strengthened the fabric of this nation.

O.A.S.I.S. Cigar and Wine Tasting

9/15/2012 O.A.S.I.S held a fundraiser at the Fort Lewis Golf Course that was well attended and a huge success. There were differ- ent Cheeses and Cracker to snack on and different choices of Wine to try along with an assortment of Cigars. Later the Auction started with many different items from Cruises, Dinners, Wine Tastings to merousnu different weapons. The Bidding was fast, furious and high. Some of the items were re-donated to be auctioned again. A goodly sum was raised and everyone had a nefi time.

Walt Hetzler and the women

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Kris Hare, daughter of Chapter 16 member COL (Ret) John “Skip” Sadler and realty professional extraordinaire, has generously offered to donate 10% of her sales commission to Chapter 16, SFA no property sales made to the SF community, active and re- tired. Please consider giving her a call if you have real estate needs and mention that you are in the SF family. She is top notch and understands the needs and challenges of military families.

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Page 16 Late Item Update on James Yu-B.

Yu-B has beaten the odds and is making a remarkable recovery. My wife Elaine and I were able to talk with Yu-B's daughter Anne at the J. K. Wright Memorial breakfast on 1 Sept. We also were able to visit with Yu-B at his daughter Lan's house in Snohomish. Yu-B 's prognosis in the Vietnamese hospital was not encouraging. He spent a month and a half in a Saigon Hospital in critical con- dition. Heroic efforts by his relatives and friends in the U.S. were finally able to get him transported to Seattle on 12 July where there was a medical team waiting for him. He rapidly began improving at Harborview Hospital. On 3 August Yu-B was transferred to Bothell Health Care where he received physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

He and his wife are now staying at his oldest daughter, Lan's house in Snohomish. We had a very nice visit with him on 9 Oct. He is in very high spirits and is walking short distances unassisted. He has completely recovered his speech and is back to his old jovi- al self.

Yu-B understands the dire condition that he was in while in the Vietnamese hospital and he is alive today only through the valiant efforts of his family and friends. He is very appreciative of all the help that he received and is looking forward to upcoming events where he can visit with his friends and acquaintances.

Jim Lessler

Yu-B, His Wife and Elaine Lessler Yu-B with Jim and Elaine Lessler

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