USAF CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF REFUELING OPERATIONS

Hood Flyover

F-15C Eagles fly near a KC-135 Stratotanker over Mount Hood in Oregon as part of Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. The movement, which also included flights over Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore and Glacier National Park, was part of Air Mobility Command’s celebration of 100 years of air refueling operations.

Global Green Beret Gathering.....October 19-24th , 2024

SFA Members,

 

SFA Members,    SFA Legacy Initiatives has signed a contract with Carnival Cruise Lines to charter an entire ship for a SF, Family, and friends The Carnival Paradise will provide an exclusive cruise experience departing from Tampa, FL on October 19, 2024. The current planning/itinerary will include the following events that will also support many SF small businesses during this epic event: October 2024 October 17-18 - Pre-cruise gatherings, USSOCOM events?, golf tournament(s), poker run, supporting local SF businesses with Scuba dives, off-shore fishing, boat trips, and more October 19 - Board the ship, SF Swag, Regimental Colors flying from the mast, sail away party with Nationally known music artist(?) October 20 - Day at Sea, SF beer and wine tasting from SF owned breweries and wineries October 21 - Bimini October 22 - Nassau with a shore party at the SF owned "The Bearded Clam Sports Bar", support other SF businesses with shore excursion October 23 - Day at Sea, SF bourbon, whiskey, and liquor tasting from SF owned distilleries October 24 - Return to Tampa with more activities planned like football games, hockey games, etc... We have over 1,000 passengers already registered during the pre-registration phase.    Register today at: Click Here

Come join a very unique gathering of 2,100+ Green Berets, Gold Star Families, Medal of Honor recipients, Family and friends.  SFA Legacy Initiatives (SFALI) is close to signing a contract to charter an entire cruise ship for Special Forces Alumni, Family, and friends.   During the 2023 SFA Convention (SFACON), the membership voted that this cruise will also be the venue for 2024 SFACON.  SFA Chapter VIII (8), Hawaii Chapter, has stepped up to take the lead on organizing the traditional aspects of SFA conventions during the cruise.  Many of you have been great sponsors and friends of the Special Forces Association and have provided support to past conventions.  If you have specific questions regarding support to 2024 SFACON then please contact Pete Tingstrom, SFA Chapter VIII (8) President, atspecialforces2024cruise@gmail.com.   Prepare to be inspired by an exceptional lineup of keynote speakers who have conquered adversity and achieved remarkable success both during and after their military service. Hear stories of resilience, leadership, and triumph, drawing upon the lessons learned from your time in the Special Forces and applying them to your civilian life. Potential speakers include: The Originals, Medal of Honor Recipients, Commanders of various organizations like USSOCOM, USASOC, etc. The 1st SFG and Detachment A/Berlin have already committed to conduct their reunion on the ship.  We are in discussions with SOA, 5th SFG and others to do the same.   Early registration will help guarantee a cabin category of your choice since some categories will sell out quickly. All registrations prior to June 24, 2023 will be in a drawing for prizes including a 2-cabin category upgrade (or $1,000.00), 1-cabin category upgrade (or $500.00), and other prizes TBD.  Please register early, we need to see our numbers of where we are at in the next 30 days.  If we don't meet our goal we will have to open this up to the Night Stalker Association, Rangers, Civil Affairs and other organizations to fill up the ship. There has never been an opportunity like this before, so don't be the one who sees the pictures, videos, smiles and memories after this is all over, wishing you had attended, make the commitment today and sign up.  We will be posting new information to the SFA Teamhouse and SFACON 2024 website soon. The rooms are designed to have two occupants.  If you don't have someone to come with you, we have started a forum where folks can go and find someone to defray the cost of the room.  http://pub24.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=1987450266&frmid=10393&msgid=0   What is included:  Cabin in selected category for 2 passengers, taxes, port fees, and gratuities.  3 sit down meals a day, snacks and more throughout; non-bottled water, lemonade, iced tea, hot chocolate, and some coffees and teas. Also includes things like a Brunch, Fast Food, around the clock buffet, and ice-cream bar, Vegas type production shows, water slides, comedy club, activities for kids, competitions, etc. Make Lifelong Connections: Strengthen the bonds forged in the crucible of the Special Forces and form new connections with like-minded individuals who share a common mission and purpose. The reunion cruise is a chance to expand your network, exchange ideas, and collaborate with fellow warriors who are making a difference in various fields. So don't miss out on this extraordinary gathering of elite warriors. Reserve your spot today on this Global Gathering of Green Berets and embark on an adventure that will reignite the fire within and create memories that will last a lifetime. Together, let's honor the past, celebrate the present, and embrace the future. If you would like to help plan activities on the ship or in Tampa before/after the cruise, please join my planning committee. My contact info is below. Hope to see you on-board!     DON’T MISS THE BOAT!   De Oppresso Liber, Pete Tingstrom President SFA Chapter VIII (8) Hawaii Special Forces 2024 Cruise Lead Planner / SFACON 2024 Chair specialforces2024cruise@gmail.com

Happy 4th of July

 

Special Forces Charitable Trust

View this email in your browser A Note From Our Executive Director It has been a most incredible Spring season here at the Special Forces Charitable Trust. We've had incredible success with our hosted fundraising events all across the country and are immensely grateful for your continued support and advocacy of our cause! Thank you for helping us to make a difference in the lives of our Special Forces Families.  We have a fun-filled event calendar with our 10th anniversary of The Great Americans Shoot happening this October--we are looking forward to seeing you all there.  - Jodi Burns    The SFCT Crew at Cocktails With Commandos - San Antonio. THANK YOU to The Clifton Family for inviting us to San Antonio! We are excited to host more events with our amazing contributors this year! See below for upcoming events and contact us if you would like to host an event in your area!  Upcoming Fundraising Events Come out and see us in a city near you! We will be in:  June 23 Denim & Diamonds in Spring Lake, North Carolina July 28-29 Bourbon Trail Shoot-Out in Louisville, Kentucky August 18 Hope & Purpose Ball in Tampa, Florida August 31 in Cocktails With Commandos in Atlanta, Georgia Let's get some money raised to support the Special Forces Community! We can't wait to see you there! Join us in Tampa, FL for our first ever Hope & Purpose Ball: Behind the Mask, a gala event to benefit our Beyond the Battlefield program that provides mental health counseling services and treatments for our Special Forces soldiers and their families. The gala is held on Friday, August 18 and we would love to see you there! Please let us know if you would like to partner with us for this incredibly impactful night! Find more info and events here! Programs: What We've Been Up To! Our Beyond the Battlefield program continues to be a huge success! We launched this program in May of 2022 and have supported over 70 patients receive over 500 hours of anonymous mental health counseling to date! From our last newsletter sent in March until now, through our Sponsored Treatments and Services we have also fully funded three Green Beret soldiers to get the help they need. We could not have done this without your unfailing help and contributions to this life-changing program.  To give you an idea of how important this program is for the community, we wanted to share just a highlight of one of our anonymous patients' feedback: "For the first time in my life I was been able to control my mind and the effects it has on my body which I have not been able to control. I have lost every relationship due to this and finally with this therapy I can stop what happens by practicing the steps, methods that I have learned in therapy. It has saved me and changed my life. My relationships with my children are so much better. I am so thankful for the opportunity to receive treatment from this provider and being sponsored by your organization. Thank you . So many Green Berets need help, knowing this is a viable option to heal is tremendous." From January 2023 until this past week, we have lost more than six soldiers (Special Forces active-duty and veterans) to death by suicide.  We need your help to keep this program going!  Donate Here to Cover Sessions for a Soldier  Sponsor Our Hope & Purpose Gala 5SFG Mix & Mingle What a fantastic evening of mixing and mingling with all of the 5SFG ladies! Thank you for joining us and for your amazing feedback on how to continue to serve your community best! The SFCT is always proud to provide Family programs but we also enjoy activities that support the bonds between special ladies such as yourselves!! We cannot wait to see you again in August for Mettle & Moxie!! We are extremely excited to announce the 2023-2024 recipients of our Special Forces Teen’s College and Trade School Scholarships!  These scholarships are awarded annually and limited to undergraduate and trade school studies that result in a degree or vocational certification from an accredited graduate school, university, college, community college, or vocational/trade/technical institution.   CONGRATULATIONS to each of you! We are honored to be a part of your educational success!!  Visit SFCT's Swag Shop Start Shopping! Snack With Purpose We're so thankful to Anthem Snacks for their $5,000 donation! Special Forces owned, Made in the USA Support Anthem Snacks Here Copyright © 2022 Special Forces Charitable Trust. All rights reserved.You are receiving the email because you opted in via our website.  Our mailing address is: Special Forces Charitable Trust PO Box 53 Southern Pines, North Carolina 28388

Prayer Request for LTC(R) Michael O'Brien

 

 

Hello All,

 

One of our Special Forces brothers is in need of our prayers.  LTC(R) Michael O’Brien has prostate cancer and it has spread all over his body.  His doctor has said that there is nothing more they can do and has only given him 6 months to live.  He is currently at home and in hospice care.

 

Please keep Michael and his family in your prayers!

 

“An SF soldier praying is a soldier of God” 

 

CW4(R) Paul T. Cooley

SPECIAL FORCES PRAYER

Almighty God, who art the author of liberty and the champion of the oppressed, hear our prayer.

We the men of Special Forces, acknowledge our dependence upon Thee in the preservation of human freedom.

Go with us as we seek to defend the defenseless and to free the enslaved.

May we ever remember that our nation, whose motto “in God We Trust,” expects that we shall requit ourselves with honor, that we may never bring shame upon our faith, our families, or our fellow men.

Grant us wisdom from Thy mind, courage from Thine heart, strength from Thine arm, and protection by Thine hand.

It is for Thee that we do battle, and to thee belongs the victor’s crown.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and glory forever, AMEN.

Special Operations Association Newsletter

Four Months & Two Days Until SOAR XLVII SOAR XLVII October 16 - 20 Orleans Hotel & Casino Updates will be posted on the SOA website SPECIALOPERATIONS.ORG Soon the Pre-Reunion-Packet (PRP) will be sent out and registration for SOAR will open. Please make sure your home mailing address it up to date so you receive your copy of the PRP. UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION RESERVATIONS FOR GROUP RATE ROOMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE   ORLEANS HOTEL & CASINO Las Vegas NV Reserve your room online: Orleans Hotel & Casino or call 800 675-3267 Use the following Group Code when making your room reservation:  ASP3C10 (Alpha-Sierra-Papa-3-Charlie-1-0) Room rates are guaranteed through 11 Sept 2023: Sun through Thurs - $49 + $15.99 resort fee + tax per day Fri and Sat - $99 + $15.99 resort fee + tax per day Billy Waugh Memorial Events USSOCOM Memorial Ceremony The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) will conduct a Memorial Ceremony to celebrate the life and to honor the service of our fallen and former 5th Special Forces Group Airborne (5 SFG (A)) Soldier, Sergeant Major (Retired) William 'Billy' Dawson Waugh on 27 June 2023.  The ceremony will take place 0900-1000 (local) at the Base Theater, MacDill AFB, Florida (2420 Florida Keys Ave, Building 41).  Guest speakers will be Enrique Prado (CIA - friend of Billy's); MG Patrick Roberson (DCG USASOC); LTG (R) John Mulholland and GEN Bryan Fenton, CG USSOCOM. CSM Josh King, 5th SFG(A) will conduct the Last Roll Call.  The Ceremony will be available on "Facebook Live".  Ashes jump for Billy Waugh on 22 JUL 2023 at Raeford DZ WHO: Friends and Family of SGM(R) Billy Waugh WHAT: Memorial Freefall Jump at Raeford DZ with the release of Billy's ashes (JUMPERS- all are SF and knew Billy).  There will be a reception "toast to Billy" at the Drop Zone bar  following the jump. WHEN: at approximately 22 1100R JULY 2023 (jumpers depart aircraft / release ashes). Be at the drop zone by 1030R that Saturday. WHERE:  Raeford DZ, NC (also known as XP Paraclete). WHY:  Mrs. Waugh requested a final jump for Billy at the Drop Zone where he and many of his SOG CCN Teammates (HALO Combat Jump Vets) conducted annual Memorial Day Reunions and jumped together.  POC:  Alan Shumate Blue Skies and DOL!  THE QUARTERMASTER STORE Two new items - SOG and Special Operations Association Hats. Visit the SOA QM Store FIRST EVER SOAR PRAYER BREAKFAST                  I am pleased to announce our first prayer breakfast will be held at this SOAR. Now, more than ever, as we see the foundations of our great country assailed and nearly destroyed, we need prayer. It was our relationship to the creator that produced our great freedom, rights, and prosperity.               “We hold these truths to be self-evident (obvious) that they are endowed by their Creator (God is the ultimate source and not the state) with certain unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”               I look forward to praying together at SOAR this year. “If my people which are called by my name shall… pray…then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 2:14)   Dale Hanson Chaplain, SOA We know that airfare is up so here's some suggestions to help get the best deal. Experts recommend booking domesic flights one to three months in advance, and using a travel site to help monitor the cost of flights across airlines. Always set up price alerts. Researching flight prices is part of planning any trip, but if you haven’t been setting up price alerts, now’s the time to start. Price alerts on sites like Skyscanner will notify you when airfare drops for destinations and dates you’ve saved so you won’t have to constantly check prices manually. Get travel insurance. Seriously – do it. Travel insurance covers nonrefundable flight tickets and other prepaid travel expenses so you can be refunded in the event something unexpected comes up. A good travel insurance plan is a must if you’re booking flights in advance since anything can change between now and the time of your planned trip.  1. Use an airline that you belong to the loyalty program at. This can save on luggage fees and you might get other perks. 2. For domestic trips you monitor prices three to four months in advance, and book one to two months before the trip, which tends to be the lowest price.  You won’t necessarily book as early as you start planning, but you want to start planning your trip early enough so that when that low price sweet spot hits, you can book and take advantage of the low prices. 3. Booking with third party sites, also known as online travel agencies (OTAs),  makes finding the cheapest deal easier because their platform does the heavy work of monitoring air routes that could be cheaper than what any individual airline would offer. Check https://www.hopper.com/, FlightDeal.com, AirfareSpot.com, and SecretFlying.com for flight deals. BUDDY FINDER REQUESTS From Joe Copalman: I am currently writing a book on the OV-10 Bronco and need to speak to a few SOG guys who flew aboard OV-10s as Covey Riders covering out-of-country insertions and extractions.  If it helps break the ice, I was friends with Bill Shelton, who ran air ops for CCN out of NKP in the 69-70 timeframe. Since Bill passed, I lost my go-to-guy for SOG stuff.   Thanks for any assistance you can provide.  Email Joe at jcopalman@gmail.com. Sick Call Albert Slugocki, SOA Mem #278, is very ill.  His wife Margaret fears the end is near. Please include Al and Margaret in your prays. Al Slugocki joined the Army in 1950, five years after he escaped from his native Poland by crossing the border to Czechoslovakia and made his way to the United States. Shortly after enlisting, Slugocki, who fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars, was assigned to the Army’s special Green Beret unit. Fluent in English, Spanish, Polish, Russian and French, he helped train guerrilla fighters in Cambodia, Guatemala and Nicaragua. His highest award was the Silver Star. Al was one of the Green Berets called to watch over President Kennedy's body.     DONATIONS The SOA gives a big Thank You to our donors.  We couldn't exist without you! John E Bristow, $110 to the Video History Program Roger W Jordheim $100 to the Video History Program DONATE NOW VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit The VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit gives a description of each burial benefit, instructions on how to apply, and where to go to get assistance. The Planning Your Legacy: VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit covers: Pre-need eligibility for National Cemetery burial or memorialization Memorial or burial flags Government headstones or markers Medallions Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMC) Burial benefits and burial automatic payments Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship Survivors pension Special monthly pension benefits The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMP-VA) Home loan guaranty Veterans Month of Death benefits VA life insurance Other features include tips on how to fill out applications with examples of completed forms. These tips examples give applicants a better understanding of how to properly fill out applications. VA encourages Veterans and service members to discuss their military service with their dependents, as well as planning their legacy. Families and survivors should know where to locate service medical records, discharge documents, VA disability ratings, and other information. These details will be beneficial to survivors as they prepare to apply for VA benefits. Families and survivors should keep this kit in storage so that it will be available when needed.  DOWNLOAD THE Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit JUNE 2023 Calendar of Events June: 14 Jun: Retirement Gala for 5th Group Executive Secretary Mrs. Joyce Luster June 19-23: Annual Ranger Muster (ARM). AC Hotel in downtown Columbus, Georgia. Events will take place throughout the Columbus-Ft. Benning area and will be highlighted by the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Battalion Change of Command Week and Ranger Hall of Fame events. https://ranger.org/ 23 June: Fayetteville, NC.  SFA 71st Anniversary of Special Forces at SFA Headquarters, 4990 Doc Bennett Road. 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. MOH Recipient COL(R) Paris Davis will be attending. 27 June:  Billy Waugh: Memorial gathering, organized by SOCOM, will be held at MacDIll AFB.  Location and time not provided yet. The SOA encourages members who attend veteran/military events to represent the SOA and engage potential members. Encourage them to learn more about our Association. Joe Wilson, the membership chairman, can mail you some brochures to hand out if you'd like.  TAPS HAGEN, Michael E. Mem# 2100, passed away on May 29, 2023 KOUNS, Leon Wes, Mem# 831, passed away on May 20, 2023. CSM(R) Morris G. Worley will be buried in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 9:00 am.  Guest are asked to arrive 45 minutes before the ceremony at 8:15 am.  Picture ID is required to enter the grounds. Pam Worley has set up a reception after the funeral at Celtic House, 2500 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA. 22204.  Welcome New Members John W. Bartlett Phillip B. Brown, Jr. NEW BOOKS AND MEDIA Facing the Khmer Rouge - MG Ken Bowra   Major General Ken Bowra served as a Special Forces officer in Vietnam as a MACV SOG 1-0 recon team leader, running recon in Laos. After SOG, as an A-Team commander, he trained, advised, and conducted combat operations with Cambodian troops. He returned to Cambodia in 1974, assigned to the Military Equipment Delivery Team Cambodia, and remained in Cambodia until the fall of the Khmer Republic in April, 1975. Talking on camera for the first time about this subject, in this moving interview General Bowra recounts his experiences opposing the Khmer Rouge with the Cambodian Army (FANK), leading up to the tragedy of the Killing Fields, which many of his Cambodian friends did not survive. WATCH VIDEO SOGCast 034 - Dale Hanson 2 - Returns to SOG after losing finger, flies secret mission WATCH VIDEO THE ARMORY LIFE ANNOUNCES SUMMER 2023 PRINT ISSUE FEATURING MAJOR JOHN L. PLASTER COVER STORY Questions? Comments? Contact us. Newsletter Editor:  Bonnie Cooper SOA President: Doug Godshall Visit the Special Operations Association Website Visit the Special Operations Association Foundation Website Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list