A significant opportunity to contribute to the history of SOG from the Special Operations Association!
Last year at the 5th Group reunion, Group CSM Josh King approached Col (ret) Brian Vines about a proposed addition to the 5th Group Hall of Heroes, specifically designed to honor SOG. Brian served twice with the 5th Group, as well as DCO of the 1st Group, and has served as an SOA stalwart. The proposal envisions building mannequins of SOG Recon men, kitted out in mission ready gear.
The SOA put together an informal task force to plan and implement Josh’s goal. SOA President Doug Godshall and Board Members Don Haase and Doc Padgett reached out to the Rob Graham and the Living History Brit team which created the Prairie Fire Video Game. Our Brit friends have extensively researched SOG gear - and current cost – in preparation for launching the video game.
Also joining the team MG (Ret) Ken Bowra, a former One Zero of RT Idaho and RT Sidewinder, and who served in 5th Special Forces Group as Commander ODA-572 (HALO-SADM); Commander, 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group and Commander, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and also as Commanding General U. S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) and later as Commanding General, U. S. Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. Ken in turn directed us to Roxanne Merritt, forty year employee and current Executive Director of the JFK Special Warfare Center Museum.
More than a few Zoom meetings, an inspection of potential SWC gear assets by DCO John Haake, King and SOG historian Tilt Meyer, and a visit to Group HQ by Brian and Doug, have culminated in a firm, doable, exciting proposal: We will design and arm mannequins of MOH Bob Howard, Eldon Bargewell, One Zero to MG, MG (ret) John Singlaub, CO SOG and a tribute to our indigenous partners, Bong, a Bru interpreter and senior member of Ken Bowra’s recon team.
The proposal - MACVSOG Museum Display CONOPS prepared by Brian – research, implementation and cost – is on the SOA website. We are on track to purchase and assemble the mannequins in the 5th Group Hall of Heroes to be displayed at the 5th Group Reunion in September 2022. Thereafter, the display will be eventually transported to the JFK SWC Museum.
But we need your help - $15,000.00 worth of help. In the CONOPS Report, you will see cost detail. assembled with the help of our SOA Museum Chair, Bruce Christensen, our Brit friends, with substantial help from Roxanne. We are launching this campaign to secure financial goals within sixty days, sufficient time to purchase and assemble the pieces and parts.
Your contribution will be recognized by name on a plaque attendant to the display. Please dig deep – and early – so that we can proudly exhibit the history of SOG in September 2022 at the 5th Group Reunion!
LEARN MORE AND DONATE AT THE SOA WEBSITE Chapter members and friends: Bernie Bright is not doing well. He had another stroke last week. His situation has deteriorated and he has been moved to: Treasure Coast Hospice, 5000 Dunn Rd, Ft Pierce, Fl. 34981. Rich and Art went to see him last night and I went today. Visitors are permitted but he is heavily sedated. Visiting hours are 24 hours every day. If you have any questions, please give me a call, Bill Cell 954 336 8445 |