Memories of Special Forces Association Convention 2023

 

June Meeting at Bass Pro June 10th @ 11:30 AM

May 25, 2023

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

 

On Saturday June 10th at 1130 am Chapter 76 will meet at Bass Pro Shops, 200 Gulfstream Way, Dania Beach

Battlefield Cross Monument dedication

May 12, 2023

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

Sorry for the late notice, but the announced date changed last minute.  Tomorrow, Saturday May 13^th, there will be a Battlefield Cross Monument dedication at 1500hrs on the property of the new Rock & Brews Restaurant, 341 N University Drive in Plantation.  Currently, 23 Rock & Brews are in operation in California, Florida and other lesser-known states .  Co-founders are Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS and they perform a Battlefield Flag Monument dedication whenever they open a new location.  Plantation opens Saturday the 13^th~ www.RockAndBrews.com .

Jeff ‘Cowboy’ Garten, will be the emcee. 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

Final Bar-B-Q reminder Saturday April 29th

From: chrisbell66@tampabay.rr.com Date: April 22, 2023 at 11:20:49 AM EDT To: Chris Bell <chrisbell66@tampabay.rr.com> Subject: GET READY - B/3/20 Reunion                                       GET READY (7 Days!)                   GET READY (7 Days!)                   GET READY (7 Days!)     Brothers: What?  Another Reminder? I’m sure that each of you remembers the   JUMP command to GET READY and lots of memories of thinking,    “This is getting real!”  I assure you, that the upcoming Reunion is real and   that we are looking forward to each of you being there and sharing good   times with your SF Brothers.   In case you forgotten, here is DZ location and drop time:    WHEN:  Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 1200 -1700 hours WHERE:  Smokin’ Aces – 2509 N. Park Road, Plant City 33563 PRICE: $25 per person.    Please make checks out to Chris Bell – for B/3/20 Reunion and mail   to address shown below.    I want to recognize the stalwart efforts of Darryl Schumaker for all that he   is doing to make sure that we are reaching everybody we have on our list.  Also,   I want to recognize “Big John” Harris for compiling our Honor Wall of Brothers   that have already made their final jump onto God’s Drop Zone.   I feel Blessed that I am able to keep in touch with each of you and to know   that our common bond of having earned and worn the Green Beret sets us apart   from every branch of the military services.  Remember what you did and what you   helped others to accomplish in serving our country and carrying out the mission   and tradition of “De Oppresso Liber.”   You are the best of the best…      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 --

Reposting from Jodie Cook

     SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

 

          Chapter 76 - South Florida 

 

             

 

 

 

April 12, 2023

 

FYI, Members and Friends of the Association,

 

Hi Edward,

I hope this email finds you well. I noticed that you provide valuable information for people in your community, and I thought you would be interested in learning about what we are doing to help veterans. 

Due to an increased shortage of qualified trade workers, there is a high demand for apprentice-level and skilled labor positions. Learning a trade or doing an apprenticeship is an excellent option for veterans. 

Our guide helps veterans learn about the benefits of non-traditional postsecondary education and other important details about vocational and apprenticeship programs, such as eligibility, costs, and transitioning to working civilian.

You can view our guide here: https://www.intelligent.com/veterans-guide-to-vocational-and-apprenticeship-programs/.

If you think your community would find this resource valuable, I’d love it if you could share it on your site, perhaps here: https://sfach76.blogspot.com/2021/12/.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Jodie Cook
Higher Education Advisor
Intelligent.com

Update on Anthony Gorman and SFACON 2023

April 19, 2023

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

As previously stated, chapter brother Anthony Gorman underwent cardiac surgery on April 4 and this morning he advised that he is moving around without a cane or walker, so all is well with him.  

 

From the SFA:

Dear SFA Members,

 

Don't delay, it is time to register for SFACON 2023!  Prices for hotel room block go up after this weekend.  

 

Hotel Reservations:  https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham/indianapolis-indiana/wyndham-indianapolis-west/rooms-rates?&checkInDate=05/20/2023&checkOutDate=05/27/2023&groupCode=052023SPE_001

Just as a reminder, the 'Early Bird' deadline is April 21st before the price of registration increases, just to help us cover the costs of the event. 

 

You can register for SFACON 2023 here: https://www.events.afr-reg.com/e/SFA2023

 

Included in $15000 registration is the SFA Picnic at the Indianapolis Speedway.  Add the SFA Banquet on Thursday May 25, 2023 for $50.00.

 

Looking forward to seeing you in Indianapolis, IN.  Stay safe.  DOL

 

Kevin

 

From Jeremy Miller, SFA Chapter 500 President,

 

We need your help to ensure that this event is executed with the quality and honors that our guests and members deserve. Please help us this year by attending and spreading the word that this year's convention will be fantastic, in memory of our fallen for Memorial Day, and an electrifying experience at the track. 

Understanding the Registration Fee and Benefits: With a registration fee of $150 for four days (equating to only $37.50 per day), attendees gain access to a wealth of valuable benefits, and helps cover expenses we have incurred including:

● SFA Symposiums, Seminars, and Discussions & Hospitality Suite**

● Travel and room costs and awards for Speakers, Entertainers, Gold Star families, and Medal of Honor recipients and Special guests.

● Comedian on Tuesday night

● Convention coins, T-shirts, and lanyards, Marketing cost.

● KIA Display (Green Berets killed in action) and entertainment.

● Hotel speaker and AV systems and Coffee station

● Access to Armed Forces Day, Carb Day, Festival Day Parade, and Race Day events

● Video interviews and stories of our members sharing their experiences, which will be archived into the official Special Forces record and serve as a keepsake for your families.

● Event Planning Coordination Contract with AFR 

** Ref Hospitality Suite, we intend to allocate any surplus funds to help reduce or cover the cost of alcohol at the Hospitality and Picnic events, further enhancing the value and experience for our members.

 

We ask for your support in making this year's convention a success by attending and encouraging others to join us. Together, we can honor our fallen heroes, celebrate our community, and create lasting memories at the Indianapolis 500 track.

 

Thank you for your understanding and support. We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 SFA Convention in Indianapolis. 

Sincerely, Jeremy Miller

SFACON 2023 Chair

SFA 500 President

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

Chapter Dinner Thursday April 20th and more

April 18, 2023

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

1)This Thursday April 20^th, you are invited to join a few of us for dinner at Twin Peaks Pembroke Pines, 440 SW 145^th Avenue, PPines 33027. Twin Peaks is located in the Shops of Pembroke Gardens near the intersection of Pines Blvd and I-75.  This is the same shopping center where we held a recent meeting at Fuddruckers (Feb 18^th). 

 

2)Dave May/Anthony Gorman Updates:  To recap, Dave suffered a stroke on or about March 1st resulting in a brain bleed and swelling. He had surgery to implant electrodes to help control dyskinesia (involuntary arm movement) related to Parkinson’s.  Today, he had successful surgery to activate the device to help him control that arm movement.  In two weeks adjustments to the device are scheduled.

 

Anthony Gorman recently underwent Cardiac Surgery Tuesday April 4^th, wrote this.  “Everything went well. I was discharged yesterday. I'm healing & getting ready to start cardiac rehab. Thanks for checking on me! DOL!”

 

Here’s wishing you guys the very best!

 

 

3) 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 at.  

WHEN:  Saturday, April 29th,  2022 – 1200 -1700 hours

WHERE:  Smokin’ Aces – 2509 N. Park Road, Plant City 33563

PRICE: $25 per person. 

 

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

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

Chapter 76 Facebook Site: https://www.facebook.com/SFA-South-Florida-Chapter-76-111343950710574/

 

Chapter Blog is located at http://SFACH76.Blogspot.com/

 

Special Forces Association Online Teamhouse https://teamhousespecialforcesassociation.org

 

Please update your email address to prevent interruptions

 

ED PIJUAN 

PRESIDENT

SFACON 2023 ASAP

SFA Chapter Presidents,   We need your assistance to get your members to register for SFACON 2023 ASAP.  The discussion from Saturday's Zoom call is at the below link.  Please take time to review and provide input, if necessary.   https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/wUDSSNOr7PI5O-PhMAJq7Kl8jZ8L5kXmo7qN4O05uVYteVpKnKOd_OEBuEcNrO9l.S4aaSEeIP29J69jM  Passcode: #1ZOtg69   Below is the SFA Chapter 500 message to SFA Chapter leadership. We are at a tipping point and need your HELP ASAP. We only have 77 registered attendees Room rate block will expire April 28, 2023 and then the nightly cost increases significantly  On April 28th they take our block away to increase the princess and The hotel will try to sell them however whatever is left over we are on the hook for at our blocked rate.  We need Registered people and Hotels booked in the next 10 days (we have a day or two more but we do not want to get to that) Eric Prince to speak at our VIP event Wednesday night -We just got a commitment Clarification on the registration page.   Registration fee $150  includes ALL EVENTS/Speakers AT THE HOTEL are included in the Registration FEE. **UPDATE May 26th – transportation to and from Carb/Day entrance fee and a $25 meal voucher is now part of the registration fee. (Refunds will be given to all that have already paid for May 26th) We only broke out the Meals for each day… that must be paid for separately You can still attend ALL events even if you do not buy the hotel meals! But please realize there is nothing around the hotel except a restaurant inside the hotel (only exception is the Banquet on Thursday you must buy this one to attend)  See SFACON web page for full break out details for clarification for all days https://www.specialforcesassociation.org/sfacon/   ** IF you Register and buy only Opening night and Banquet Meal plans, the total cost is only $260. ** IF you Register and buy all meal plans for every day, the total cost is $365. (Best option)    *** Last year’s convention cost was $259 after Aug 2022 and did not include meals for lunch and dinner every day.   The cost is equivalent to last year with many more FREE included perks with the Indy 500 Track before and after the event.   You must select the additional FREE 500 events to get in free. We have to give them a count for each day in order to get them.    -- Thank you,  De Oppresso Liber Jeremy Miller

Vettix.org

Tickets to fee events for veterans go to :

vettix.org

Veterans-guide-to-vocational-and-apprenticeship-programs/.

 

April 12, 2023

 

FYI, Members and Friends of the Association,

 

Hi Edward,

I hope this email finds you well. I noticed that you provide valuable information for people in your community, and I thought you would be interested in learning about what we are doing to help veterans. 

Due to an increased shortage of qualified trade workers, there is a high demand for apprentice-level and skilled labor positions. Learning a trade or doing an apprenticeship is an excellent option for veterans. 

Our guide helps veterans learn about the benefits of non-traditional postsecondary education and other important details about vocational and apprenticeship programs, such as eligibility, costs, and transitioning to working civilian.

You can view our guide here: https://www.intelligent.com/veterans-guide-to-vocational-and-apprenticeship-programs/.

If you think your community would find this resource valuable, I’d love it if you could share it on your site, perhaps here: https://sfach76.blogspot.com/2021/12/.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Jodie Cook
Higher Education Advisor
Intelligent.com

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President