Vietnam War Veterans Day March 29th

A Time to Remember and Thank Veterans on Vietnam War’s 50th Anniversary

March 29, 2023 the nation recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This day marks the 50th anniversary since the end of US involvement in the Vietnam War. To support this service and sacrifice, you can encourage the Veteran(s) in your life to take advantage of VA benefits they have earned and deserve.

Next Association Meeting Saturday April 1

   

  SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

          Chapter 76 - South Florida 

                “The Green Berets”

 

March 24, 2023

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

 

Our next chapter meeting will take place at 1130am on Saturday April 1 at Fuddruckers, 14875 S Dixie Hwy, Kendall, FL (Palmetto Bay).   Directions from Pembroke Pines say to take the 826 South,  merge with US 1, then 3.5 miles further down Dixie Hwy or take the Turnpike down to SW 152^nd Street, then proceed east to South Dixie 2.6 miles, then north on S. Dixie about 1000 feet.

 

 

 

 

B Company Annual Reunion

Chris Bell with B Company writes:

Brothers: Just a quick REMINDER that our Annual SF Reunion is just a few weeks away! In case you forgot, here is the time and place: 

WHEN:  Saturday, April 29th,  2023 – 1200 -1700 hours

WHERE:  Smokin’ Aces – 2509 N. Park Road, Plant City 33563. Darryl Schumacher has confirmed with their event planner the time and date and they are excited to have us back again.  

        PRICE: $25 per person. Please make checks out to Chris Bell – for B/3/20 Reunion - and mail to me at address shown below.

Menu will consist of pork and pork ribs.  Please advise Chris Bell ahead of time if you want chicken or other items.

 

 

 UPDATES: 

1. PLEASE RSVP and send me your check ASAP so we can ensure the restaurant orders and prepares enough food for our event - Get the idea??  

2. We are providing Tea, Cokes, and water for the event.  As before anything else is BYOB – we’ll provide ice and coolers for your libations. 

3. We will have tables but bring a chair of some type and if you have one - feel free to bring a pop up for shade as it will be sunny and probably warm. 

SPECIAL: 

1. We will be receiving a Special Forces 1911 from Dan Allen for a truly unique raffle - so bring cash to buy tickets.
2. We will also be having our usual raffle but some new and interesting SF related items.  

If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas, don’t hesitate to give us a heads Up. Looking forward to seeing each of you in a few weeks… 

Chris R. Bell

1111 Jungle Avenue North

St. Petersburg, FL  33710-4327

Cell: 727.244.1016

 

 

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE

CHANGE         CHANGE         CHANGE         CHANGE          CHANGE

We think they reealllly mean it this time…

March 20, 2023 

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

From B Company Reunion Coordinator

 Brothers:  One of the trademarks of Special Forces is being FAST, FLUID and FLEXIBLE!  Unbeknownst to myself, I just learned that there will be a major retirement and change-of-command ceremony on the weekend on April 22, that will involve a number of own – COL Zach Norsworthy, CSM (R) David Lanham, MG (R) Ralph Grover and probably even more that I don’t know about!

 

In discussing this with my cohort in all things reunion related,  Darryl Schumacher, and in hopes of being able to accommodate the most number of attendees, I would like to request your input as to changing the date from April 22^nd to April 29^th.

 

I hope that this will not be considered vacillation but rather a possible alternative that we hope will allow more Brothers and their families to attend our annual Reunion get-together to see friends, share memories, tell a few lies, etc., etc.  

 

As always, the decision as to what and when we do this rests with the you and we value your input and insight.  PLEASE let me know your thoughts…De Oppresso Liber

MSG (R) Chris R. Bell, Special Projects Officer 

1111 Jungle Avenue North

St. Petersburg, FL  33710-4327 

Cell: 727.244.1016

 

NEW REUNION ANNOUNCEMENT April 22,2023

IMPORTANT NOTICE !!! 

      Special Forces Reunion                        NEW REUNION ANNOUNCEMENT

Brothers:  I hope that all of you will stay safe & dry this weekend from the storm that is projected to sweep through Florida on Saturday.  While we truly regretted having to make 

the decision to postpone the Reunion, we believe it was the right call.

I want to express my appreciation to so many of you that responded to the request for an alternative date, & we are pleased to announce that we have a new date.

WHEN:  Saturday, April 22, 2023 – beginning at 1200 hours

WHERE:  Smokin’ Aces in Plant City

 

FYI - We had nearly 100 people signed up for this Saturday’s event & we are hoping that everyone will be able to make the new date hope & that it will be just as large if not larger 

on Saturday, April 22^nd.

Amid all that has transpired over the past (48) hours, I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the dedication & hard work put forth by Darryl Schumacher for his tireless efforts to make contact with everyone, without any doubt, the success of our Reunions is 

due in a LARGE part to all his hard work!!!

My good friend and long-time fellow Brother, Rusty Gaeta shared the following with me, and I wanted to draw you back to those days when we were willing to go “anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice” and never look back:

"Men, Special Forces is a mistress. Your wives will envy her because she will have your hearts. Your wives will be jealous of her because of the power to pull you away. This mistress will show you things never before seen and experience things never before felt. She will love you, but only a little, seducing you to want more, give more, die for her. She will take you away from the ones you love, and you will hate her for it, but leave her you never will, but if you must, you will miss her, for she has a part of you that will never be returned intact. And in the end, she will leave you for a younger man." 

James R. Ward, OSS

Alright, if you have any ideas, or suggestions, or want to vent, you know how to reach me…

De Oppresso Liber

MSG (R) Chris R. Bell, Special Projects Officer 

1111 Jungle Avenue North

St. Petersburg, FL  33710-4327 

Cell: 727.244.1016

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear 

any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival 

and success of liberty." - 

John F. Kennedy

FROM JIM LEWIS ~

FROM JIM LEWIS ~ 

 

I will be coming to FLL next Friday, the 24th - arriving 7:40pm.

 

Would love to see anyone available around 8:30pm at Lester's (dinner on me!)...

 

I'll be in Key Largo for a week.

 

Please let me know if you are available...

 

Jim

(818) 480-2796

 

 

Fundraiser Cars for Conservation

March 15, 2023 

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

Cars 4 Conservation 

Date & Time

March 19, 2023 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Location

12400 SW 152 Street, Zoo Promenade, Miami, FL 33177 View Map

Contact Information

Name: Julia Klumb

Phone: 786-798-4738

Email: Julia.Klumb@miamidade.gov

Zoo Miami has partnered with Cars and Coffee Miami and Reclaimed Earth to bring you Cars 4 Conservation 2023! Cars 4 Conservation will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2023 in the Zoo Miami promenade and east parking lot. Participants will have access to Zoo Miami’s front plaza, gift shop, and car show festivities at no extra cost. Zoo admission can be purchased by registrants at a discounted rate and food and beverages will be for sale. Guests and participants can meet our ambassador animals at our animal encounters.

Funds from this year’s Cars 4 Conservation will support Rhino conservation. All five rhino species are endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Zoo Miami is home to two species- Greater one-horned rhinos and African Black Rhinos. All rhino species are threatened due to habitat destruction and poaching for their unique facial horns that are mistakenly believed to heal disease. Rhino horn is made of keratin, the same substance that makes up human hair and fingernails. By raising awareness and donating funds to rhino conservation we can start to build a better world for rhinos.

ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY
Registration ends promptly at 10 am on March 19, 2023

VIP Registration donation

• Exclusive parking on Zoo Miami promenade
• Chance to win trophies
• 1 raffle ticket for a chance to win amazing prizes
• 50% off of Zoo Miami admission for up to 6 people (day of show)
• 15% off Zoo Miami memberships

Regular Registration Donation

• Car Show parking in east parking lot in front of Zoo Miami entrance
• Chance to win trophies
• $3 off Zoo Miami admission for up to 6 people (day of show)
• 15% off Zoo Miami memberships

REGISTER HERE

 

Raffle:

• Zoo Miami family membership
• Gift certificate for an animal encounter for up to 4 people (including meeting our Greater one-horned rhinos!) 
• Not exclusive, must call ahead to book
• 4 animal feeding tickets

Check back as we add more great items!

 

 

 

FROM JIM LEWIS ~ 

 

I will be coming to FLL next Friday, the 24th - arriving 7:40pm.

 

Would love to see anyone available around 8:30pm at Lester's (dinner on me!)...

 

I'll be in Key Largo for a week.

 

Please let me know if you are available...

 

Jim

(818) 480-2796

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE !!! Special Forces Reunion POSTPONEMENT

Brothers:                                                                                                                                          

I am sure you are aware, there is some pretty nasty weather headed our way this Saturday including lightning & high winds, we have already received several calls of concern & from all the intel we have been able to source, it says that Saturday will be a wet & overall miserable day – see below.

We have tried to locate tents & even an indoor location, but it’s just too short notice! There are other issues including the ability to bring in libations as well as insuring that we can get the food to any changed location.

That said, we hate it but, we are going to postpone, re-schedule, & pull the plug…on the event for this Saturday, March 18^th.  

We have notified Smokin’ Aces & they completely understand & have offered alternative dates of April 15^th  or April 22^nd to hold our Reunion.  If you have a preference, PLEASE let me know and the majority will determine which date we go with.

I also realize that a future date might not be possible & if you feel you are not going to be able to attend & would like a refund, please let me know & I will get you a check or ZELLE if you’d prefer.

I apologize to everyone & hope that you will understand the necessity of this decision, if you

have any questions or or suggestions – don’t hesitate to reach out.

 

 De Oppresso Liber

MSG (R) Chris R. Bell, Special Projects Officer

1111 Jungle Avenue North

St. Petersburg, FL  33710-4327

Cell: 727.244.1016

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty

" - John F. Kennedy

SF Convention

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

Ed Pijuan made reservations today…

 

FROM SFA: 

SFA Members,

 

SFACON 2023 is right around the corner and it is time to register and make hotel reservations for this great event.  Please see the message below from SFA Chapter 500.  DOL

 

Kevin  

 

Good morning! 

 

My name is Blake Miles and I'm the Communications Chair for Chapter 500 out of Indiana. We've been hard at work getting our Annual Special Forces Association Convention ready and are excited to bring everyone together in a great city around even greater events!

That said, time is running out to secure your spot! With every day that passes, the cost for airfare and hotel accommodation increases, so we're asking to put out a message to your members as a reminder that a few windows are closing soon: 

1. Early Bird Special Ends April 21st - This window closes for a special discount for registering far enough in advance.
2. Indy 500 Week - We have a limited supply of hotel rooms on contract and lodging prices will be increasing rapidly in the Indianapolis area in weeks approaching this event. Indianapolis is not a large city, so major events can push the radius of booked hotels pretty quickly.
3. Airfare Costs - You all know the dangers here - sooner rather than later to keep those costs as low as possible.

Each of your Chapters' attendance is essential to the success of this event and I hope that you're all able to make that leap and join us in Indy in May. There's lots of great things happening in our community and our Chapters. We intend to make this event one that amplifies them all at once so we can really unleash the potential in our combined networks.

• Learn more about the Convention and Special Events: https://www.specialforcesassociation.org/sfacon/
• Register Online: https://www.events.afr-reg.com/e/SFA2023 

Thank you for your help in making this event a success. Looking forward to seeing you all in Indy!

DOL,

 

Blake Miles

Communications

Special Forces Association Chapter 500 

"High Speed, Low Drag"

Cell: 224.645.3452

 

"Roll Of Honor" Updated Wed 3/8/2023 at 7:00 pm

On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 18:00, william eades <billyeades@yahoo.com> wrote:

           "Roll Of Honor"

              Updated Wed 3/8/2023 at 7:00 pm 

I would like to thank everyone who stepped up with information so our brothers who have passed 

will alwayse be remembered, please look over the list if you have any information we are missing \

or brothers that are not listed on The Honor Roll contact: Lloyd "Big John" at (863) 944-5554

or < montymoe@aol.com >

Regards,

W.H."Bill" Eades SFC (R)

BillyEades@yahoo.com 

From Denise May - today’s update.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: EDWARD PIJUAN <dzhalo@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, Mar 9, 2023 at 13:41
Subject: Dave May update
To: 

From Denise May - today’s update.

I texted and portal messaged the big docs this morning. They answered right away and said on it. Head nurse was here to discuss my “dissatisfaction”. I said hold on bubbaloo. I am only wanting what the doctors told me they ordered. 
And for him to be ready for 3 hour therapy! To get the benefit. Yadda yadda. 
I don’t want to be in the middle. 
So now Sherry OT is here. 
She says there is a fine line for acute to take him. Can’t be too good or too bad. 
Working on in bed urinal use with him right now. 
All agree he needs to walk more…but staffing. We are not allowed. 
PT should be coming at some point. 
OT worked on urinal training. 
He is very alert, less dyskinesia, ate independently, walked well. Still having accidents though so working on that. 
Also focusing on left side awareness (lack of it) So having him face a direction to encourage using left awareness. 
If he is accepted at Duke Regional therapy in Durham he will go Tuesday. If not they will look for alternative and could be sooner or later.