memorial Day Activities

   

  SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

          Chapter 76 - South Florida 

                “The Green Berets”

 

May 26, 2022

SFA Members,

 

Many of you will be involved with Memorial Day activities/events this weekend as we honor those that that paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military to defend this great Nation.  It is great to be part of a Brotherhood that honors these sacrifices and clearly understands the impact this loss has on Family, loved ones, teammates, and friends.  You represent the SF Regiment well while visiting with Gold Star Families to remember their Hero or by participating in parades, local Memorial Day events, and other activities that honor these sacrifices.  At cemeteries around the world, you place flags near the grave, a coin on the headstone or toast your former teammates and friends with their favorite drink to remember that positive impact they had on your life.  DOL

 

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them."  John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States of America

 

SFA National will be honoring all the SFA and SF Alumni who have passed away in the previous 12 months by reading their names at Charlie Mike's Pub on Monday, May 30 2022 at 2:00 p.m. (1400 hrs for you hard chargers).  If you are in the area, please stop by Charlie Mike's Pub, 195 Starpoint Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303.  We will raise a toast to those that are no longer with us.  Light appetizers will be provided.

 

Please keep the Families of Uvalde, TX in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days, weeks, and months as they struggle with the grief and pain of losing 19 children and 2 teachers this past week.  Remember that life is fragile so hug your Family a little closer, make time to connect with those you keep saying you will but haven't, take that trip you keep promising, or make the time to do something that is meaningful to you and your Family.  We are all given 24 hours each day, spend them wisely.  

 

Stay safe as you spend time with your Family and friends this weekend.  Remember all those that are currently deployed as they continue to provide security for all of us.  God Bless the United States of America.  DOL

 

Kevin

 

If the thought comes to mind that what you are about to do isn't a good idea,...it probably isn't a good idea!  Cheers

 

 

 

It is time to vote for officers of our Special Forces National Association.  Online voting is open from May 1-31 at https://teamhouse.specialforcesassociation.org/ then click on "ELECTIONS" tab, or you can mail in your ballot with a postmark NLT May 31, 2022.  It is very easy and convenient.

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

May Meeting Reminder...Mark May 21st on your calendar

 

May 15, 2022

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

Our next chapter meeting will take place at 11:30am May 21^st at Versailles Restaurant, 3555 SW 8^th Street, Miami, FL 33135

– the most famous Cuban restaurant in the world, according to the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel.  Like many restaurants, Versailles provides group checks, but allow individual payments. Please bring cash for convenience.  

   

 

It is time to vote for officers of our Special Forces National Association.  Online voting is open from May 1-31 at https://teamhouse.specialforcesassociation.org/ then click on "ELECTIONS" tab, or you can mail in your ballot with a postmark NLT May 31, 2022.  It is very easy and convenient.

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

“Please let the SF Guys that may be coming to Bill’s services that we would love to see berets.”

May 11, 2022

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

Per request of COL(R) Bill Brown’s family! 

“Please let the SF Guys that may be coming to Bill’s services that we would love to see berets.”

Ted Cooley

Visitation for Bill Brown will be Thursday, May 12^th, at Gateway Funeral Home, 3596 US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL, from 5-7 PM.  His funeral service will be Friday, May 13^th, at Old Providence Baptist Church, 9316 NW County Rd 245, Lake Butler, FL, at 10 AM.  Following his service, his internment will be at Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church, 189 Elizabeth Chapel Rd, Alma, GA, at approximately 4 PM, with military honors, in MaryEllen’s family cemetery.

 

 

 

US Special Forces Taps

 

 

To SFA Chapter POCs

 

Some of you know me from Facebook, where I run the U.S. Special Forces Taps group and some may have met me at last year’s SOA Reunion or SFA Convention in Las Vegas. I'm a Lifetime Honorary member of both.  I worked the registration desk and also made several video's shown during the SFACON banquet, to include the Taps Video that closed out the convention. For several years I've made it a personal mission to find and share the obituaries of Special Forces veterans with their SF brothers and the two Associations (SFA and SOA) if they were members. Along with sending the obits of SFA members to Mike Goodrich (SFA Executive Director) I recently started including Chapter POCs to receive obits of their Chapter members. Normally a Chapter is aware of the loss, but not always. I also receive obits or names of recently deceased from several Chapters and am thankful for the help.  By allowing me to share them immediately, friends and former teammates of the deceased don't have to wait for the next issue of The Drop. If offers the chance to attend the funeral or reach out to the family if desired.  To be clear, I'm not in competition with The Drop, and feed them obits of every SFA member I find.  Our audience might overlap somewhat, but our mission differs. I share the obit of EVERY Special Forces Veteran I find, not just SFA or SOA members. 

 

I was asked many times to find a way to share the Taps with those who aren't on Facebook, and a few months ago I created a website where I post the obits.  It also offers the choice to sign up to receive a daily email update of any obits I've posted in the last 24 hours. It couldn’t be easier to stay updated. 

 

So, if you receive an email from me with an obit of one of your Chapter members, now you know why.  

 

I've been asked to make another Taps video for this year’s SFACON in Colorado Springs.  It's an honor to remember your (and my husbands) brothers who made their final jump. 

 

Warm Regards, 

Bonnie L. Cooper 

Coop553@bellsouth.net

U.S. Special Forces Taps (website) 

https://specialforcestaps.com/

 

If you didn't see the Taps video played at SFACON 2021, here's the link: SFA Taps 2021.mp4

 

SFA Taps 2021.mp4 Special Forces Association members who passed away in 2021

 

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

Passing of Col William F. "Bill" Brown and SFC(R) John Kirkendoll’s beloved wife Jane Kirkendoll, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 7th.

  SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

          Chapter 76 - South Florida 

                “The Green Berets”

 

May 9, 2022

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

It is with a heavy heart we have lost another one of our SF brothers.  COL(R) William F. “Bill” Brown passed through the gates of heaven, last Saturday morning, May 7^th.  Visitation will be Thursday, May 12^th, at Gateway Funeral Home, 3596 US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL, from 5-7 PM.  His funeral service will be held at Old Plantation Baptist Church, 9316 NW County Rd 245, Lake Butler, FL, at 10 AM  Following his service, his internment will be at Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church, 189 Elizabeth Chapel Rd, Alma, GA, at approximately 4 PM, with military honors, in MaryEllen’s family cemetery.

 

In addition, I want to also pass along that SFC(R) John Kirkendoll’s beloved wife Jane Kirkendoll, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 7^th.

 

Please offer up your prayers of peace and comfort for these families!

 

CW4(R) Ted Cooley

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

Obituary

Col. William Finley “Bill” Brown, US Army Ret., 78 of Lake City, passed away early Saturday morning, May 7, 2022, at his home with his family by his side.  He was born in Lake City the youngest of 8 children to the late Frank Herod Brown, Sr. and Iva Louise Brinson Brown.  Mr. Brown was raised in the Providence Community of Union County and was a graduate of Union County High School class of 1962.  He continued his education and earned his associate degree at the Lake City Junior College and Forest Ranger School and was proud to be student #1.  Mr. Brown earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Valdosta State University and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. 

 

Mr. Brown was drafted into the United States Army and served 2 tours in Vietnam as a Combat Engineer.  During his 30 year career with the Army, he attended the Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth.  Mr. Brown also served as the commander for the 3rd Battalion 20th Special Forces Group during Operation Desert Storm.  Following his retirement, from the Army in 1993 at the rank of Colonel, Mr. Brown worked for the Florida Gateway College in Lake City for many years as the Director of Purchasing. Mr. Brown had made his home in Lake City since 1983 and was a longtime and active member of Old Providence Baptist Church.  He loved spending time with his family, farming, growing vegetables and trees, and spending time at the old home place on the Olustee Creek.  He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Allen L. Brown, John H. Brown, Gordon H. Brown, Frank H. Brown, Jr., Glen Brown and Nathan R. Brown; and his sister, Thetis Lee.

 

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Mary Ellen Smith Brown, Lake City; his daughter, Courtney Brown Lipelis (Rafi), Lake City; his son, Chad Brown, Lake City; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

 

Funeral services for Mr. Brown will be conducted on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Old Providence Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Stout and Pastor Burl Harkey officiating.  A graveside service with military honors will be conducted later that day, Friday, May 13, 2022, at 4:00 PM at the Elizabeth Chapel UMC Cemetery in Alma, Georgia.  Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Old Providence Baptist Church Building Fund.  

Next chapter meeting will take place at 11:30am May 21st

May 8, 2022

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers associated with chapter members and friends.

 

Our next chapter meeting will take place at 11:30am May 21^st at Versailles Restaurant, 3555 SW 8^th Street, Miami, FL 33135

– the most famous Cuban restaurant in the world, according to the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel.  Like many restaurants, Versailles provides group checks, but allow individual payments. Please bring cash for convenience.  

   

 

It is time to vote for officers of our Special Forces National Association.  Online voting is open from May 1-31 at https://teamhouse.specialforcesassociation.org/ then click on "ELECTIONS" tab, or you can mail in your ballot with a postmark NLT May 31, 2022.  It is very easy and convenient.

 

 

Colonel Bill Brown has passed.  Thanks to Steve Muskett, Ted Cooley and anyone else who helped make us aware.

Stephen MuskettSFA Chapter 76 - South Florida

 

It is with great sadness I report that COL (Ret) Bill Brown passed away this morning. I have no details of his funeral at this time but will post as soon as I hear anything. 

DOL RIP COL Brown

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

C Company Rotation back to CONUS

 

From: Tripp Rentz <tripp.rentz@yahoo.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 2:09 AM
To: prujoe@bellsouth.net
Subject: Re: Tentative Chapter Meeting May 21st // Special Forces National Election Now // COL Bill Brown Status

 

 

FYSA, C Co. is Rotating out of Iraq and we should be conus in/around Mother’s Day.

 

DOL

Tripp, 2332

Next Chapter Meeting May 21st

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

We anticipate our next chapter meeting will occur May 21^st with Ed working on the venue in Dade County at this time.  

 

It is time to vote for officers of our Special Forces National Association.  Online voting is open from May 1-31 at https://teamhouse.specialforcesassociation.org/ then click on "ELECTIONS" tab, or you can mail in your ballot with a postmark NLT May 31, 2022.  It is very easy and convenient.

 

Status on Bill Brown was posted on two Facebook pages, but in case you missed it… Just to let you know I was notified on 4/28, that William “Bill” Brown and his family needs our prayers, as he is under the care of hospice care at home. His prognosis is not good, 2-4 weeks. I will let you know when I receive any further information.

Ted Cooley

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

RAO Bulletin

RAO’s latest Veteran Newsletter has been posted online.  To read this issue click on http://thearmysecurityagency.com/uploads/3/4/8/0/34809791/bulletin_220501__pdf_edition_.pdf or http://veteraninformationlinksasa.com/emos-rao.html .  If these should not openclick on http://thearmysecurityagency.com/rao.html for the current plus three editions prior to this one. If you are unable to open the PDF edition online or need HTML format for editing and/or forwarding to others let me know.

 

      If you are unable to access this edition at either of these websites or use it in its PDF format let me know which format (HTML or PDF) you need and I will add you to my limited separate direct mailing list for Bulletin’s in attachment format.  

 

RAO BULLETIN

1 May 2022

 

PDF Edition

 

THIS RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES

 

Pg                   Article                                                Subject

.                                                   * DOD *                                              .

 

04 == Russia Ukraine Situation [01] ---- (Nuclear Strategy Advisor Wonders If Russia Is Stoking WW3)

06 == Electromagnetic Warfare ---- (March Russian Attack in Ukraine Shut Down by SpaceX Starlink)

07 == Space ‘A” Travel [20] ---- (Its Back After 2-Year COVID-19 Pause)

08 == DoD Housing Program [08] ---- (Families Still Suffer From Lack Of Response to Mold, Leaks)

11 == DoD Housing Program [09] ---- (Subcommittee Hearing on New Senate Investigation Report)

14 == Afghan Withdrawal [24] ---- (Report on Military Equipment Left Behind)

16 == Cybersecurity [04] ---- (US Military’s Data Privacy Vulnerabilities Exemplified in Ukraine)

18 == Military Medical Malpractice ---- (Soldiers’ Mother Wants to Know Why He Died Alone)

21 == Air Force One [06] ---- (Boeing Should Have Rejected Trump’s Deal)

22 == POW/MIA Recoveries & Burials ---- (Reported APR 16 thru 30, 2022 | One)

 

.                                                 * VA *                                                   .

 

24 == VA Scam Protection Effort [01] ---- (Targeting Pensions/Benefits Raise Worry with VA Officials)

25 == VA Presumptive Burn Pit Diseases ---- (9 Respiratory Cancers Added To Exposure List Illnesses)

27 == Claiming VA Benefits ---- (Protection from Predatory Claims Practices)

28 == VA Long Term Care [03] ---- (Plans to Keep Up With an Aging Veteran Population)

31 == VA Yellow Ribbon Program [01] ---- (Helps Post-9/11 Vets Pay for More Expensive Schooling)

34 == VA Covid Research ---- (Expanding Into Long-Term COVID Illnesses Detrimental Effects)

35 == VA Fraud, Waste & Abuse ---- (Reported 16 thru 30 APR 2022)

37 == VA EHR [34] ---- (Lawmakers Urge Pause in New Rollout amid More Problems)

39 == VA Burial Sites ---- (4 New Ones Planned for 300,000+ Vets)

 

.                                                 * VETS *                                               .

 

40 == Vet Employment [16] ---- (Industries Where Veterans Are Finding Jobs)

41 == U.S. Capitol Riot [25] ---- (Army Reenlistee Pleads Guilty)

42 == U.S. Capitol Riot [26] ---- (Marine Veteran Cop Faces Jury Trial)

45 == VA LA Homeless Plan ---- (Newly Unveiled Plan Falls Flat with Advocacy Groups)

47 == Arizona GI Bill ---- (UAGC Loss of Eligibility from Licensing Issues Resolved)

48 == Medal of Honor Awardees ---- (USS Richmond Firemen | Civil War)

50 == Medal of Honor Awardees ---- (Charles E. Hosking | Korea & Vietnam)

52 == Military Retirees & Veterans Events Schedule ---- (As of May 01, 2022)

53 == Vet Hiring Fairs ---- (Scheduled As of May 01, 2022

54 == Star of David Headstones ---- (Some Jewish Troops Who Died In WW II Finally Receive Theirs)

 

.                                     * VET LEGISLATION *                               .

 

56 == None

 

.                                             * MILITARY*                                          .

 

57 == Military Sexual Harassment/Assault [14] ---- (GAO Report on Dozens of Measures to Help Stop It)

59 == Military Sexual Harassment/Assault [15] ---- (Investigative Authority Pulled Unit Commanders)

60 == USS George Washington ---- (3 Sailors Found Dead in 9 Days)

61 == Army Pilots Pooper ---- (Those at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Have a Luxury One)

63 == Global Military Spending ---- (Passed $2 Trillion in 2021)

64 == M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle ---- (First Army Unit Gets Modernized Bradley Fighting Vehicle)

66 == U.S. Space Force [30] ---- (Offering Bonuses for New Guardians with Tech Backgrounds)

67 == Military Fraud & Abuse [15] ---- (Guard Soldier Who Stole $200K Caught After Filing Pay Inquiry)

68 == Navy Days ---- (Comms)

68 == Navy Terminology, Jargon & Slang ---- (‘Bogey Dope’ thru ‘Bootneck’)

 

.                                    * MILITARY HISTORY *                               .

 

70 == Operation El Dorado Canyon ---- (Effort to Suppress of Libyan International Terrorism)

72 == WWII Doolittle Raid [03] ---- (Air Force Raises a Last Glass to the Final Raider)

73 == Seymour Johnson ---- Namesake of Johnson Air Force Base, Goldsboro N.C)

75 == WWII Bombing of Germany ---- (Bayreuth)

76 == Air Raids on Japan ---- (Impact on Japanese Government's Decision to Surrender)

78 == Project Sapphire ---- (Enriched Uranium Transfer From Kazakhstan to U.S).

79 == Every Picture Tells A Story ---- (Arrest Wire Miss)

80 == WWII Bomber Nose Art [97] ---- (Fightin’ Sam)

80 == Military History Anniversaries ---- (01 thru 15 MAY)

 

.                                         * HEALTH CARE *                                    .

 

81 == TRICARE Prescription Drugs ---- (Pre-Authorization and Medical Necessity)

82 == TRICARE Dental Program [21] ---- (Here Are Your New 2022 Premiums)

83 == TRICARE Mental Health Care ---- (Military Family Members/Retirees Being Priced Out Of Care)

84 == Acupressure [04] ---- (Low Back Pain Relief)

85 == Parkinson’s Disease [05] ---- (Awareness)

86 == Ingrown Toenail ---- (Causes/Risks and Treatment)

89 == Heart Health for Women [02] ---- (Heart Attacks Symptoms Differ from Men’ | Know the Signs)

91 == Sleep [16] ---- (Why You Shouldn’t With the TV On)

93 == Gout ---- (Symptoms, Causes, & Effects)

96 == Gout [01] ---- (Diagnosis, Treatment, & Living with It)

98 == Pinworms ---- (Common in Kindergarten And Elementary School Children)

 

.                                              * FINANCES *                                         .

 

101 == Filing Your Taxes ---- (Actions to Take After Doing So)

102 == Medical Debt [01] ---- (White House Plans to Blunt for Vets & Home Borrowers)

104 == SNAP and WIC Programs ---- (How These Nutritional Programs Differ)

105 == Tax Refund [03] ---- (Expect Average 6 Month Delay for 2021 IRS Filings)

106 == Free Gift Scam ---- (This New Phishing Scam Is Everywhere)

107 == Energy Audit Scam ---- (Be Careful of Con Artists Promising To Save You Money)

108 == Employment Scams [02] ---- (New Job Asked You To Interview Via App? Be Careful)

109 == Student Loan Debt [12] ---- (PSLF Temporary Waiver Could Help You Save Big)

111 == Widowhood [01] ---- (More Major Mistakes People Make After Losing a Spouse)

113 == Tax Burden on West Virginia Vets ---- (As of APR 2022)

 

.                                   * GENERAL INTEREST *                               .

 

118 == Notes of Interest ---- (Apr 16 thru 30, 2022)

118 == DPRK Missile Program [07] ---- (North Korea Tests New Weapon Bolstering Nuclear Capability)

120 == China/Solomon Islands ---- (U.S. Concerns over Potential Security Pact Agreement)

121 == Car Dealership Rip-offs ---- (Signs to Look Out For)

123 == Border Wall [05] ---- (Fraudulent Fundraisers Plead Guilty In ‘We Build The Wall’)

125 == Advertisements ---- (Once Acceptable Vintage Ads | 03)

125 == New Fruits ---- (10 You're Suddenly Seeing at the Grocery Store)

128 == U.S. Embassy: Manila Msg ---- (SSA Outreach at Consular Agency Cebu June 6 – 9, 2022)

129 == Rats [01] ---- (How to Get Rid Of Them At Home)

131 == News of the Weird ---- (APR 16 thru 30, 2022)

133 == Have You Heard or Seen? ---- (Gorilla Enticer | Toons | Marriage #2)

 

.                                      * ATTACHMENTS *                                      .

 

Military History Anniversaries 01 thru 15 MAY (Updated)

http://veteraninformationlinksasa.com/uploads/3/4/5/7/34578163/military_history_anniversaries__0501_thru_051521.pdf

 

NOTE

1.  The page number in which an article is located is provided to the left of each article’s title.

2.  To read the articles, open the website and slew to the page number of the article you are interested in.

3.  Numbers contained within brackets [ ] indicate the number of articles written to date on the subject.   To obtain previous articles send a request to raoemo@sbcglobal.net ‘or’ raoemo77@gmail.com.

4.  Recipients of the Bulletin are authorized and encouraged to forward the Bulletin or articles to other vets or veteran organizations.

5.  The current and previous 3 Bulletin issues can be viewed at http://veteraninformationlinksasa.com/emos-rao.html  

 

FAIR USE NOTICE: This newsletter may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.  The Editor/Publisher of the Bulletin at times includes such material in an effort to advance reader’s understanding of veterans' issues.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.  In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C.  Section 107, the material in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for educating themselves on veteran issues so they can better communicate with their legislators on issues affecting them.   To obtain more information on Fair Use refer to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.   If you wish to use copyrighted material from this newsletter for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. 

 

-o-o-O-o-o-

 

TO READ and/or DOWNLOAD THE ABOVE ARTICLES, ATTACHMENTS, OR PAST BULLETINS GO Online To:

 

-- http://thearmysecurityagency.com/rao.html  (PDF Edition w/ATTACHMENTS)

-- http://veteraninformationlinksasa.com/emos-rao.html  (PDF w/ATTACHMENTS + Last 3 issues)

-- https://www.cgretirenw.org (Listed under VET & RETIREE LEGISLATIVE & GENERAL NEWS) 

-- http://www.nhc-ul.org/rao.html   (PDF Edition w/ATTACHMENTS) $1k Ransomware Attempt – Restoral Unlikely.

 

 

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