JULY 2015 VOL 58 Chapter 16 Newsleer Organizaon and Responsibilies: President’s Message The 2015 SFA Conven on and 1st Group Reunion are behind us. Many Editor: Glen Craig thanks to Jerry Powell and Chapter XVVII for the great job they did this Secons: year. This is the rst me I recall the event being held on the west coast. fi Message from the President: Dave Shell Great job Jerry, to you and all your folks. I wish I could have aended, but Treasurers Report: Kevin Paon as you know I am a world away. Pat Kelleher and Chapter XI hosted the 1st SFG(A) Reunion. While the SFA Sec. Rpt (Sta Mee ng Minutes): Paul Bagshaw st ff Convenon draws the usual cast of characters, aending the 1 Reunion Sick Call/Obituary: Chaplain Butch Hall aracts guys who have been out of the net for some me; guys with Blast from the Past: Glen Craig whom we shared a lifeme of experiences. Chapter XVI made a bid for the next 1st Group Reunion to be held in 2017 (they are bi‐annual), but Special Recogni on: Paul Bagshaw Chapter IX in El Paso got the nod. The big reason why is that our bid, had Upcoming Events: Paul Bagshaw it been accepted, would have moved the normal meframe from June‐ st Calendar: Dave Shell July to December to be held in concurrence with the 1 Group Menton Week commemoraon. Those opposed objected on the grounds that Human Interest Story: Chapter at large Menton should be a stand‐alone event and that it might dwarf the SFA Naonal HQ Update: Dave Shell reunion. There were also concerns about inclement weather and how Aer Acon Report: Jim Lessler that would affect the fesve nature of the event. I understand, and honor the decision to hold it in El Paso. I must say though that the heat of an El Membership Info: Roy Sayer Paso summer is less agreeable than a lile NW drizzle in December, but Adversements: Glen Craig maybe that’s just my temperament. Anyway, I’m sure it will be a great me, as Chapter IX knows how to throw a good party. But, I have a Suspense: precept that the 1st Group Reunion should always be held on 1st Group Newsleer published (Web): 1st of each turf and I am confident that someday that will happen. To understand where I am going with this you must have a lile background on the 1st odd numbered month st th Group Reunion. When the 1 Group cased it’s colors in Okinawa and the Input due to editor: 20 of each Group stood down, those who had been longme members, some since even numbered month 1957, wanted a venue to connue the unusually strong fraternity and camaraderie that had been built over 17 years of service together. Dra due to President: 27th of each ‐ Alumni leaders like SGM(R) Jake Jacobson became the driving force and a even numbered month great tradion was started. At that me most of the former 1st SFA(A) th Final Dra due 29 of each members had been transferred back to the east coast and had seled even numbered month there, because then all of the acve duty SF Groups were either at Ft. Bragg or Ft. Devens. Even the forward baalions at Bad Tolz and Panama were in close proximity to the east coast. It made sense then that the reunion be held near the bulk of the former 1st Group members. When the 1st SFG(A) uncased it’s colors in 1984 the 1st Group Reunion had become it’s own enty. It was organized, planned and conducted unilaterally and I, having been at 1st Group since 1984, don’t recall any unit parcipaon by the 1st Group unl 2013, when the reunion was held at Sea‐Tac. Chapter XVI member Harlow Stevens and his family took it on and did all of the work. Chapter XVI supported as did the 1st SFG(A), but it was sll a unilateral event. We discussed then having future events sponsored by SFA chapters in the NW Region, which includes Hawaii, Okinawa, Korea, Thailand, the Guam/PI, and Australia, but the stalwarts from pre‐1974 were opposed to SFA sponsorship and wanted to carry it as far as they could independently. I respect that, and will always defer to the old warhorses in these maers. Time has changed that for reasons of praccality, and as we now see with Chapter XI having hosted the last one and Chapter IX set to host the next. If the reunion is to perpetuate in semblance to past reunions, then I believe the individual SFA chapters must take ownership, because it needs the energy of the next generaon Page 1 to survive. Since 1984, there have been generaons of 1st Group soldiers who have made the Pacific basin their home. I would submit that at this point in me most acve and former 1st Group soldiers are here. I also believe that like the other SF Groups, that 1st Group should have some ownership of the event. A workable soluon is to leverage off of the Menton Week commemoraon, with occasional forays to Okinawa, Korea, or other garden spots in the 1st Group AO. While Menton and the reunion should remain separate and disnct, there are scheduled events in each that can be shared by both to enrich the overall experience of all the parcipants. I am not on a crusade and will let nature take it’s course, but feel that the natural evoluon is for the 1st Group Reunion to become a happening more local to the 1st Group than it has been in the past. We need do nothing other than make ourselves available to host each one unl the leaf turns for good. DOL, Dave Chapter XVI SFA, William R. Card Chapter Meeng Minutes June 13, 2015 Call to Order: Chapter Vice President Eric Heid called the meeng to order at 11:06 at the 1st SFG(A) Regimental Mess. He reminded to all that the President Dave Shell is overseas currently and that he will be filling in during Dave’s absence, no more just shaking hands and kissing babies. Pledge of Allegiance and the Ballad opened up the meeng. Opening Prayer: Chaplain Butch Hall led the chapter in the opening prayer. Members Present on this absolutely gorgeous Saturday: Eric Heid, Paul Bagshaw, Roy Sayer, Sco Malone, Harlow Stevens, Glen Craig, Carey Pennington, Mike Cassidy, Jim Lessler, Ed Booth, Nick Marvais, David Paul, Keith Looker, Ron Hale, Mike Barkstrom, Corey Cook, Andrew Kocsis, Jorgen Smith, Terrance Jackson, Rick Thomas, Butch Hall, and Monte Cooper. Wives present: Elaine Lessler, Erma Booth, Regina Hall, Carol Stevens, and Joy Cassidy. Guests present: MSG(R) James “Jim” Savell and his wife Connie from Chapter 93 out of Waco TX as well as Shirley Stevens of Seatac, Pa Lakey. Special Presentaon: MSG(R) James “Jim” Savell was given the floor. Donned in his tradional SFA Blazer, white shirt and SFA e, Jim presented to the Chapter the story behind his SF Flash Wall Hanging that he donated to the 1st SFG(A) through the Execuve Officer LTC Pat Sylvestre. Jim took numerous hours to weave a wall hanging, much like a carpet, that displayed the history of the Special Forces flash. It measures close to 5 feet by 5 feet. To capture the history and storytelling of Jim would take too many pages and would certainly not capture his colorful presentaon. He began making these wall hangings and has donated one to each of the Groups. Ours thankfully, he hand delivered during his recent trip to the PNW. His wall hanging included all of the SF flashes that he could verify and with it he told a quick history lesson with each. His wall hanging had two empty slots, and his explanaon was “if another one pops up, we have room.” Thank you Jim for a great and thoughul gi! Pictures and Jim’s wrien history of the flashes will be posted to the Chapter 16 web page shortly. Sick Call – Chaplain Butch: Ch Butch stopped by and chaed with Bob Ferguson and Bob is headed to Arizona to accompany family very soon. Chuck Hall, who lives in Bremerton, though only 80+ years young intends to visit a chapter meeng as soon as he can. Treasurer’s Report: Kevin Paon was unable to aend and Paul Bagshaw gave an update on the financials. The Chapter is in good financial standing and the only outstanding issue is the move from Chase Bank to America’s Credit Union (ACU). Efforts are in progress to ascertain the appropriate non‐profit organizaon status with the credit union as the Naonal HQ and its charter is out of state. Quartermasters Report: The new hats for the Chapter were discussed and the color for the hat was collecvely decided to be tan vs. black. Old Business: Organizaon Day – 24 July 2015. LTC Sco Malone, 3rd Bn Commander, informed the Chapter that the Singaporean Army will be present and that a Friendship Jump is in the works. He also revealed that the Seagals will be present to assist the Chapter in serving beer. Set up confidence course. (SF Brothers Set up tent and movement of beer, this will occur 23 July in the evening. Sell Raffle ckets. (3 or 4 cket hustlers) all members are highly encouraged to volunteer! Breakdown crew (4 pax) New Business: Ron Hale of the OASIS organizaon presented a quick brief to the Chapter of their recent efforts at the SFA Naonal Convenon in Portland.