Special Forces Association Chapter 76/ South Florida Chapter......... "THE GREEN BERETS": September 2024

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SFA Members,

We need your help. We are looking for volunteers to support the following national committees; this is your chance to give back and help forge the future of our Association:

1. Convention Committee - contact Chair, Garon Strong,
specialprojects@specialforcesassociation.org
2. Constitution Committee - contact Chair, Pete Tingstrom,
vicepresident@specialforcesassociation.org
3. Membership Committee - contact Chair, Ralph "Henry" DiGiacinto,
secretarty@specialforcesassociation.org
4. Finance Committee - contact Chair, Mike Hurst,
treasurer@specialforcesassociation.org
5. National Grounds Committee - contact Chair, Garon Strong,
specialprojects@specialforcesassociation.org (preferably live in the vic of Fort Liberty and/or construction background)
6. Scholarship Committee - contact Chair, Garon Strong,
specialprojects@specialforcesassociation.org

You can find members of the committees on the SFA Teamhouse under menu "Committees"
FRIDAY 18 OCT in TAMPA, FL
What:  Motorcycle Ride
Who / Why:  Any motorcycle riders in the vicinity of Tampa, Florida
When: Friday / 18 October 2024 / 1030 –1530
Where: Registration begins at 1030 at the ride start point, American Legion Post 138, 5535 W. Prescott St, Tampa, FL 33616.
Special Instructions:  Registration fee paid on site. $20 for the rider, and $10 for an additional passenger. Click on this link to register https://form.jotform.com/242624038882157

FRIDAY 18 OCT in TAMPA, FL
What:  5^th Special Forces Group Happy Hour
Who / Why:  Tampa area-based 5^th SFG alumni welcome our brothers who are in Tampa awaiting departure on the Global Gathering of Green Berets Cruise / Special Forces Association Annual meeting. +1’s are welcome.
When: Friday / 18 October 2024 / 1630 – UTC
Where: Yard House – Water Street – Downtown Tampa https://www.yardhouse.com/locations/fl/tampa/tampa-water-street/8394
Special Instructions:  Please RSVP at this link, so we know how much space to hold. https://forms.office.com/g/KAH4qH5X8s

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Who:  SFA Chapter Leaders (max of two reps per chapter - Chapter President’s are the priority)
What: SFA NBO October Chapter Leader's Meeting (old President’s Meeting)
Where: Tampa Tap Room, 13150 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL  33618 (Also available via video MS Teams tele-conference - TBP)
When: October 18, 2024; Open at 1500, meeting 1600-1700, and mingling until 1800. (All times Eastern)
Why:  This is one of our monthly meetings. We will discuss the vote of the Constitution changes and business prior to the General Membership Meeting later in the week. There will be food and beverage available.
RSVP at: https://form.jotform.com/242656275915061
Learn more about the Tampa Tap Room at https://tampataproom.com/
Any questions, contact the SFA NBO President, Chris Wilkerson at president@specialforcesassociation.org

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What:  1st Special Forces Group 40th Anniversary Reactivation Party
Who / Why:  Tampa area-based 1st SFG alumni welcome and our brothers who are in Tampa awaiting departure on the Global Gathering of Green Berets Cruise / Special Forces Association Annual meeting. +1’s are welcome.
When: Friday / 18 October 2024 /1800-2200
Where: Barrymore Hotel Downtown Tampa Riverwalk (Pool deck)
Special Instructions:  Food and Beverage will be provided

Last message to all about SFACON 2024

2024 SFACON/SF Cruise Update:
As you know we are gathering over 2,000+ Green Berets, Gold Star Families, Family and friends. The responses have been overwhelming with only 100 cabins or so remaining.

You need to register now if you want to go! I can understand many that are not retired, couldn't commit to this last year when we started planning this, but now we are 25 days out from sailing, should be easier to commit or know your schedule. This event will provide Special Forces Benevolent Organizations, Sponsors, and friends many opportunities to engage with over 7 decades of generations of Special Forces Soldiers and their Families in formal and mostly informal settings. Since it is a charter, every venue on the ship will be available to schedule to best suit specific programs, symposiums, discussions, and lunch/dinner sessions at no additional cost to the sponsor or individual.

There are only interior cabins remaining and the rate is $1570 for the cabin (for 2 persons), this pays for all your registration, lodging, food, first class entertainment, taxes, port fees, and gratuities during the 5 day cruise.

Help us fill the remaining unsold cabins and earn $200.00 onboard credit!!!

For every new registration (double occupancy) that you can assist with getting former Teammates, Green Berets, Family, or friends on the Global Green Beret Cruise, you will receive a $200.00 onboard credit for spending during the cruise.. 1 Cabin = $200.00, 2 Cabins = $400.00, 3 Cabins = $600.00, etc...
This promotion is valid from September 1-30, 2024. Send an email of the names of the primary cabin guest that you recruit to Legacy4SFA@gmail.com  Any questions, please contact Kevin Harry at (423) 895-3769

Draft Schedule:
Day -1: Thu 10/17 Tampa (Recommended arrival date)
Opportunities: Scuba-Diving Recert / Trip, Deep Sea Fishing, Mini-reunions

Day 0: Fri 10/18 Tampa
TBD: SOCOM Command Briefing at MacDill Theater
TBD: SOCOM Memorial Event
1030-1530 Motorcycle Ride
1500 / 1600-1700 / 1800 SFA NBO October Chapter Leader's Meeting at the Tampa Tap Room (see above for RSVP)
1630-UTC 5th SFG Happy Hour/Gathering at the Yard House Downtown Tampa
1800-2200 1st SFG 40th Reactivation Anniversary Party at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk (Pool Deck)

Day 1: Sat 10/19
0930: Porters will start taking luggage (and continue until 1:30pm)
1000-1200: Gary Sinise & the Lt Dan Band will be playing in the parking area outside of Terminal 3. You can drop off our luggage and return to enjoy the concert before boarding the ship.
1045: Passenger Boarding begins
1200-1400 Sister Luv concert on the Lido Deck
1300: VIPs meet with select individuals (Rex Lounge)
1330: Last luggage drop off time (if you miss this time, you will have to personally carry all your luggage on board thru security)
1400: Passenger Boarding complete
1400: Onboard Cake cutting and Welcome/Thank you remarks/Flyover by VIPs: Special Forces Legacy Initiatives (SFLI) and other VIPs
1445-1600 Carnival Fun Team leads our Sail Away Party
1500: VIPs not cruising prep to depart the ship (NLT 1530)
1600: Ship Departs
1620: Parachute Demonstration IVO Peter O.Knight Airport (you’ll want to be outside to see this)
Day 2: Sun 10/20 at Sea
Day 3: Mon 10/21 8am - 4pm Bimini, The Bahamas
Day 4: Tue 10/22  8am-4pm Nassau, The Bahamas
Day 5: Wed 10/23 at Sea [0900-1000 SFA General Membership Meeting; will also be available MS Teams and recorded]
Day 6: Thu 10/24 8am arrive back in Tampa, FL offload by 1130
* Those returning home by air should plan flights after 12pm
Ybor City Tours, Lunch/Dinner and Pub Crawl

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.

REGISTER HERE

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Cruise reservations need to be made and paid in full by October 10th. Only by contacting Carle Hurst directly and being granted special permission can reservations be made after that date.
For more information, continue to follow us at:
https://www.specialforcesassociation.org/sfacon-2024/

or on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sfacon

DON’T MISS THE BOAT!

De Oppresso Liber,
Pete Tingstrom
Vice President Special Forces Association
(808) 436-2901
Special Forces 2024 Cruise Lead Planner / SFACON 2024 Chair
specialforces2024cruise@gmail.com

Final Update

"We Have Lost One Of Our Own"

Airborne Brother Robert "Bob" Buffington 85
DOB January 20, 1939, ~ DOD September 4, 2024

Final Funeral Update From SFAA Chapter

Please mark your calendars so we can attend Bob's final send-off

To all Members:

I received a final text yesterday from Mark Buffington, son of Bob Buffington the family is planning Bob's funeral

service on September 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at, Crestlawn Cemetery 1216 14th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, take

I-95 North to the Vero Beach exit.

Mark would like to know how many SFAAC/Special Forces members plan to attend if it is six or more, he will have

a covered area set up for members to meet & pay tribute to Bob.

Kindly let Peter J. Kendrick Jr. (305) 620-4829 < retepgroup@aol.com > or Chairman Jose Perez-Ortiz (305) 205-1948

< skysoldier1305@aol.com > Know how many members plan to attend by this Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter J. Kendrick, Jr. SFAAC Secretary

Sadly I am writing to you about the passing of Robert "Bob" Buffington, he made his last formation on Wed. September 4, 2024, Bob was a Veteran & proud member of the 82nd. South Florida All Airborne chapter &

C Company 3/20th Special Forces Group

See the above details for Bob's funeral services, he was a loyal friend, loved & respected by everyone who knew

or served with him, he will be greatly missed, please keep his family in your prayers as he enters heaven.

RIP Bob,

William H."Bill" Eades Jr

(786) 426-1174