Drop Magazine

October 27, 2023

A message from the Special Forces Association:

As you probably know SFA is switching to a subscription model for The Drop. Current Life members can continue to receive a free copy if they indicate they want one. They make this choice by going into their profile and choosing to receive a paper copy in their basic information area. We need your help in getting the word out. Many of our life members have either no email addresses or bad email addresses. Many (24 in Chapter 76) have never logged into our website and updated their membership information. NOTE: If a member's current member type is Legacy Life, they have already been moved from Life to this type based on their preference for a paper copy in order to continue to receive a free paper copy.

There is an entry in the Teamhouse FAQ section on how to subscribe to a paper copy of The Drop.

DOL

Len Cummings

PS ~ Use this link for Teamhouse: https://teamhouse.specialforcesassociation.org/, then login, once you login, your name will appear at the top right of the page.  Hover over your name and you should see ‘Profile’ right below… click that and your Member Profile will show up. Scroll down and click on ‘Basic Member Information’ and you will see the ‘Contact Information’ headline and below that ‘General Information.’ Scroll down to ‘Other info’ where you will make a choice:  Newsletter:  ‘I want a printed newsletter’ or ‘I will download the newsletter from the website’

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

Passing of LTC(R) Ernest "Brian" Carroll-Update

 

October 21, 2023

From Ted Cooley and others,

Hello All, 

Sorry to say that I have sad news again. Another one of our SF brothers has passed.

I received a phone call from Frank Bray this morning, to notify me that Brian had passed away last night (Fri, Oct 20th), from advanced dementia Cathy (Brian's wife) said that Brian did not want any services and wanted to be cremated, and she would be honoring his wishes. At one point in Brian's military career, he served as the Battalion Commander for 3/20 SFGA. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers. If I receive any additional information I will send it out.

Ted Cooley

Another one gone.
Sad we are dropping like flies.
Anyone have any pictures of him to post???

Also he should get in the DROP magazine if someone can get a better bio on him.

Ed

Soldiers Freedom Outdoors Events

What is Soldiers Freedom Outdoors?

Soldiers Freedom Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2011 and became a public charity in 2014. 

Soldiers Freedom Outdoors is dedicated to serving our active-duty and service veterans.  In 11 years of service, SFO has provided eco therapy (nature therapy) to hundreds of soldiers, regardless of gender, service branch or length of service.

Since our inception, we have helped change the lives of many suffering from post-traumatic stress and re-connected them with the healing power of Nature. Some of our heroes have said our program saved their lives… powerful testimonies like that make us work harder than ever to meet our soldier’s needs, and gives us confidence we are making a difference.

There is no charge for our retreats.

Retreats October 20-23            DAR women's retreat (Full) November 17-20        Yankee retreat December 8-11           Zulu retreat   Get away and let us serve you.    You can go hiking, fishing, horseback riding, throw some horseshoes or just relax in a hammock.    Lodging and home cooked meals provided.     Camp Freedom is your home away from home, where the healing begins.   Visit soldiersfreedomoutdoors.org to register. Blacksmithing 101   October 21-22 (Full) November 18-19 December 9-10   This is a great way for our Veterans to learn about blacksmithing.    Each person will be making a knife to take home.    This is a two-day class, and we only have 4 spots available for each class.    Carl Oliver will be the main instructor for the course.   Visit soldiersfreedomoutdoors.org to register. Horses 101 is for military children ages 8-18. Children aged 10 or younger must have a parent with them.    The children will learn basic horse grooming, the language of the horse and will be able to ride.    Lunch is provided.    Limited to 10 children   Visit soldiersfreedomoutdoors.org to register.

This Marine is taking challenge coins to new heights, crayons included

For over 100 years, the challenge coin has been a symbol of esprit de corps among troops around the globe, tracing its roots back to World War I.

In the past, tokens have formally conveyed symbols of unit history or accomplishments. More recently, however, some artisans have produced more creative variants tied to military culture and humor.

One such minter is Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Spencer Garvin, owner of Sven Smash Designs and creator of a devil dog favorite, the crayon-eater coin.

“The best coin of all time has to be the crayon bottle opener,” Garvin told Military Times, noting the service’s crayon-eating trope.

Garvin’s crayon creation may be both a challenge coin and a fun way to crack open a cold one, but it is not simply some venture born out of boredom. Rather, Garvin was tasked with making a challenge coin, saw room to diversify the space and jumped at the chance.

(Sven Smash Designs) 

“I was the commander’s driver in Marine Forces, Europe and Africa, in Stuttgart, Germany, and one of the tasks they had given me one day was that the commander needs a new coin,” he said.

Several rounds of edits with vendors ensued, but to no avail.

“After probably about 10 edits, [the commander] was like, ‘You know, we’re just gonna keep the one we have,’” Garvin said.

Garvin developed an idea for a separate coin on the side, however, and spent his own money to make it. He then sold his version among his unit.

“Everyone loved it,” he noted. “That was kind of the first coin that I designed.”

Now, years into the craft, Sven Smash has a catalog of coins inspired by everything from crayons to Pokemon, Harry Potter, and Funko Pop! designs — each with a military twist.

“The tradition of it has grown,” Garvin said, adding, “They’re [just] a little bit more eccentric than the classic challenge coin.”

We have lost one of our own:Howell Vernon Long, Jr

Hello Members and Friends of the Association, SGM(R) Vernon Long update per Ray Millican: If you can make the funeral,  it is not necessary to wear a uniform, but please bring your berets.     Joe Pruett on behalf of Ed Pijuan President   Howell Vernon Long, Jr. was born in Athens, Georgia, on March 26, 1941, to   Howell Vernon Long and Elizabeth Marjorie Hodges. He passed away peacefully   in his sleep on October 6, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Marylee, as well as his son, Howell Vernon Long,   III (Melissa), Jacob David McKinney, Elizabeth Margaret Bowling, (Alan) and Michael   Allen Wayne McKinney, and 6 grandchildren. Vernon grew up in Athens where he helped in his parents’ candy factory. After graduating   high school, he joined the US Army. He returned to Athens and entered the University of   Georgia, earning a degree in finance and real estate. He worked for a time in the physical   plant at the university, learning the craft which served him the rest of his life. Vernon moved to Amelia Island in 1973 to work for the Amelia Island Plantation. He later   started his own construction business, specializing in new construction and renovations,   including several of the old residences in Fernandina Beach. He joined the Army National Guard   in 1979 and became Special Forces qualified, serving his country until his retirement in 2001. He loved the Lord, his family, his country and his garden. He really enjoyed reading and watching   the Georgia Bulldogs. Vernon’s family will receive friends Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at   Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM in the Burgess Chapel of   Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donating to Amelia Community Theatre,   209 Cedar Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

FYI -Sandy passed away yesterday evening

FYI -Sandy passed away yesterday evening 

Arrangements Brewer & Sons Funeral Home Brooksville FL

Sandra Jean Exum

May 11,1961-October 5, 2023

Annual event honoring all Veterans

October 2, 2023

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

As usual, I know nothing about this event other that what is written below and I will try to forward any flyers as they arrive my station.

~  Thanks to Bill Sander of Chapter 85  ~

 

Good morning:

 

This is a great annual event honoring all Veterans. They provide a really nice lunch as well. 

 

Several of us have been there the last three years. You will not be disappointed.

 

"Please let me know if you plan to attend"

 

I received this from the Seminole Nation:

I wanted to let you all know that a date has been set to have our Veteran’s Day Celebration at the Florida Seminole Veteran’s Building in Brighton.

 

Thursday, November 9^th

 

Once we have a flyer I will email that to you.

 

Have a nice day.

 

Thank you,

 

Feather Micco

Administrative Assistant II

Florida Seminole Veteran’s Building

Brighton Building and Grounds

800 East Harney Pond Road

Okeechobee, FL 34974

Office (863) 357-7620

Fax (863) 467-2621

Email: feathermicco@semtribe.com

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President