QUARTERMASTER: David H. Soucie, M-12880A, 4243 McCorvey Road, Deland, FL., 32724 Tel: (386) 734-6412, E-mail: [email protected]
SFA CHAPTER XXI Judith (Judy) A. Drewry, 6619 W Saint Ann Lane, Dunnellon, FL 34433NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Tel: (352) 795-4248 , E-mail: [email protected]
Phil Devon, M-13612, 4313 North Course Lane, Avon Park, FL 33825Tel: (585)739-4785, E-mail: [email protected]
OCTOBER 2015
AAH, can you taste the change in the air. Going to be in the 60’s over the week-end and zero chance of rain next week. What a welcome break! Soon it will be Halloween, then Thanksgiving. But I’m getting ahead of myself. We had a great meeting in Cocoa Beach, at the International Palms Resort. We liked it so much, we are doing it there next September. By my count, we had 64 in attendance. Medal of Honor recipient Mel Morris and his wife Mary, made their first meeting, as did new members, Mike Conlon, Frank & Linda Yeck and a visit from Ed Britt from Chapter 85. Also in attendance were Mr. & Mrs. Muskett. He was our guest speaker. He gave us a briefing on the upcoming SFA Conference to be held in Jacksonville, FL next June. Some important information to pass out: We will have installation of Chapter XXI Officers during the December meeting. Nick Panarella, the Director of External Commo, SFA, will do the honors. Remember to make your reservation at the Jacaranda for the December meeting. They only had one room left. May be one or two left, if you are only coming for Saturday night. But our allotment of 25 rooms is gone. There are other hotels in the Sebring area. One is the Holiday Inn Express. Remember also, the Jacaranda has what they call the Grand Buffet on Sundays, during the holiday season. It’s best to make a reservation for that before you check in, actually ASAP. The hotel will be decked out for Christmas and it is really very pretty.
I’m sure you have heard by now that Al Farnum’s daughter, Elizabeth Farnum Marsteller, passed away September 16, at age 54. Much too young. Our prayers go out to the Farnum family.
Earle Petty, Jr. passed away 22 September, 2015.
Update on Health & Welfare:
1. Al Boman is doing well after "cracking" his hip. He is at home, with physical therapist coming in 3 times a week. He is progressing very well on a walker at this time.
2. Bob Cherry is coming along real good, progressing with his rehab therapy and getting stronger every day.
Upcoming Events:
SOAR Convention, Las Vegas, NV - 19-23 October, 2015
Chapter XXI meeting, Avon Park, FL - 11-13 December 2015 hosted by Ralph and Erlene Bailey; assisted by Phil and Joette Devlin
Chapter XXI meeting, Bradenton, March 2016 hosted by Ken & Angie Kilmer
SFA Conference, Jacksonville Florida hosted by Chapter 88, June 12-19, 2016
Donations to the Chapter at the last meeting: Al Boman $60.00, Ingrid Currier $130.00, Speedy Gaspard $100.00, Sharon Hoagland $30.00, Richard Wallace $100.00, Richard Whitman $100.00, David Soucie $30, R.L. Johnson $60.00.
SFA CHAPTER XXI – 12 SEPTEMBER, 2015, INTERNATIONAL PALMS RESORT, COCOA BEACH, FL.SUBJECT: Minutes of the meeting
CALL TO ORDER:The meeting of Chapter XXI, Special Forces Association was called to order by Chapter President Richard Whitman at 1740 hours. There were 64 members present. New Members/Guests present: Guest Speaker: Steve Muskett - SFA Conference 2016 @ Jacksonville, FL. CMH recipient Melvin Morris & wife Mary, Frank Fuelner,Tom Norwood, Ed Britt,Ty Ferbish, Meing Turner, Nick Hubbel, Mike Conlon, Phil Devlin. New Members: Frank & Linda Yeck, John Ferreria.
SICKNESS AND DISTRESS:Mildred “Millie” Carter: Ray Carter Jr. reports that Millie has been bedridden since July and was placed on “Full Assistance” on July 20th. They have taken away her computer and electric wheelchair. She communicates by snail mail: 941 Village Trail, Apt B-119, Port Orange, FL 32127-9361 or phone, (386)763-2036.Judy Rice: Don Rice reports Judy is progressing well after a serious foot surgery. She is now practicing walking and has to use a “Quad” Cane. Don says it sounds easy, but she tires quickly. Her goal is to be 100% for the December meeting. Don says they miss us. Don & Judy we miss you also.Lynda Epkins: Steve reports that Lynda finished her “Bone Marrow Transplant” (Stem Cell Transplant) on September 1. She is currently staying at Hope Lodge under the care of her sister who is an RN. Hopefully she is back home now.Bob Cherry: Bob reports he is coming along very good with his rehab from his stroke. He still has one or two problems to work on, but is making progress. He and Maryanne send a big hello to all and will be at the December meeting.Al Boman: Al has been in the hospital recovering from hip surgery. They did not have to replace the hip joint, but put in two screws just above the joint. Al slipped coming out of his garage and made a terrible “PFL” (ask Tom) between two cars. Says he will be at the December meeting.Bob Wirt: In June, I began having trouble standing upright. That Tuesday, June 2nd , Bettye dragged me to the Emergency Room with Low B/P and massive internal bleeding - I’d been dizzy and my B/P had dropped to 58/45 with Gatorade providing only temporary relief. I collapsed in my hospital room Wednesday and hit the floor hard. Unfortunately Bettye tried to catch me, a good deed which landed her in radiology for X rays and a CT scan - she’s OK, but got a little bruised up. They called a Code Blue on me the 4th, when I hit the floor again, so I spent the next five days in ICU. The Docs shot me full of 8 units of Packed Red Blood Cells, 2 of plasma, 2 more of platelets and enough normal saline for me to grow gills - after an endoscopy, colonoscopy, nuclear bleed test and swallowing a camera pill, the Drs said I’d stopped bleeding before they could find the source of the problem. They let me go home around June 10th , after agreeing with me that their IV protonix might've stopped the bleeding and they weren’t likely to find the origin - I asked the GI Doc whether he thought my long-time habit of using either Advil PM or Aleve PM at night to get to sleep, might have caused the bleeding to begin with, and he agreed that it could have, so no más - now it’s just a single 25mg Benadryl cap and a Tylenol, which seems to work just as well - No more NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or ketoprofen. BEWARE!John Foley: John reported that he is still in a recovery stage. Doctors have put him on some new meds and he wasn't sure of his reaction to them so he had to miss the meeting. Sends his Best Regards to all and hopes to see us soon.
READING OF THE MINUTES: The Minutes of the previous meeting conducted in The Villages; Holiday Inn on 23 May 2015 - A motion was made by Rod Burns, seconded by Jim Braddock, to accept the minutes as published in the newsletter. Motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT:The Treasurer's report was rendered. A motion was made by Bob Daniels, seconded by Chuck Wright to accept the report as read, subject to audit. Motion carried.
SFA CHAPTER XXI – 12 SEPTEMBER, 2015, INTERNATIONAL PALMS RESORT, COCOA BEACH, FL.SUBJECT: Minutes of the meeting (continued)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (NONE) GOOD OF THE ORDER:Tom Tomlin asked members who sign checks to be careful & not sign below the line – into the pre-printed routing number, as this presents a problem for automated handling. A letter of appreciation from Jimmy Steele’s widow was read. We received a Certificate of Appreciation for Ed Britt’s work with the NJROTC on Chapter XXI’s behalf. Speedy Gaspard will be included in a new book – “Faces of Freedom”. Jack Carey wrote a poem, in will be submitted for inclusion in “The Drop”. Frank Fowler is looking for any before & now pictures of members, to post on the web site. Available a 42 Regular jacket, if anyone is interested. Was recommended to visit the Merritt Island Museum.
NEW BUSINESS:Motion was made by Rod Burns to request Wells Fargo to drop the (2) $12 charges for the checks that had to be handled manually (see above). Seconded by Mike Stover. Motion passed.A request for information was requested by the floor to find out the particulars about putting a granite monument at the Merritt Island Museum.Steve Muskett spoke about the 2016 Conference (not Convention – so as to better facilitate AD personnel). It will be 12-19 June 2016. Each day will have a special event (scuba diving, range outing, parachute jump, golf, dining in, general meeting, etc.) The theme will be SF CMH Honorees & SF Families.Costs:$175 / person – registration$ 95 / night – hotel roomEach special event – a la carte pricing (ex. Jump - $150)
ADJOURNMENT:There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Bob DanielsThis is a privileged motion requiring no second. The meeting was adjourned at 1845 hours. The next regular meeting will take place on 11-13 DEC 2015 at Jacaranda Hotel in Avon Park, FL sponsored by Ralph Bailey.
Submitted by: Approved by:Russell Cummings, Secretary/Recorder Richard Whitman, President
DECEMBER 11-13, 2015 MEETING
JACARANDA HOTEL19 East Main Street, Avon Park, FL 33825
863-453-2211Telephone: 863-453-2211
The next meeting of Chapter XXI, will be held at the Jacaranda Hotel at 19 East Main Street, Avon Park, FL 33825, December 11–13 2015. The hotel opened in 1926 and now is on the National Historic Register. Much of the hotel still apprears as it did during its Golden Age. It has counted among its guests: Babe Ruth, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Al Capon and many more. Cost of rooms is $64.95 plus tax. Reservations should be made no later than 11th November, 2015. Mention Chapter XXI Green Beret. We have 25 rooms blocked off. UPDATE: Most rooms currently reserved. No handicapped rooms are available, but the Holiday Inn (863-386-1115) and Quality Inn (863-385-4500) are nearby on Hwy 27 in Sebring, FL.
Cost: $30.00 per personSend payment and choice of entree to:
Ralph Bailey 930 La Quinta Blvd
Winter Haven FL 33881 Make check payable to: Chapter XXI SFA
We will have a Hospitality Room. It will open at 15:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs on Friday & Saturday from 10:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs. Of course it will be closed during the meeting and meal.
There will be a continental breakfast located just off the lobby. The dining area will only be open for lunch on Friday but
not Saturday. There are other dining facilities nearby.
Make sure you bring a wrap gift. It would be nice if the ladies bring a dish of their choice for the hospitality room.
Officers call 16:30, Meeting 18:00 and meal at 19:00. Hope to see you there.
QUARTERMASTER’S CORNERWE HAVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR SALE IN OUR INVENTORY:
WALL PLAQUES SF Crest - $66.00
Three Tier SF Patch - $42.00 Two Tier SF Patch - $35.00
CAR MAGNETS - $7.00
PATCHES: CHAPTER XXI - $7.00
WETSU - $7.00
APPLIQUE: BERET w/ DAGGER - $5.00
CHAPTER XXI COIN - $15.00
USA FLAG - $10.00
REGIMENTAL FLAG - $35.00
WINDSHIELD SUN SHADE - $14.00 – only 1 left
LICENSE PLATE FRAMES - $15.00 - $7.00
SFA PINS: GOLD OR SILVER - $6.00
SFA LIFE MEMBER - $8.50
TIE TAC - $6.00
BOOKS:HE DIDN’T SAY GOODBYE - $20.00
STRANGER BROTHER - $20.00WAR STORIES OF THE GREEN BERET - $15.00
FIGHTING TODAYS WAR - $15.00
DECALS:SF PATCH - $2.50
CROSSED ARROWS - $2.50II CORP MF DECALS - $3.00
SM SF STRIP - $3.00CREST W/BERET & DAGGER - $3.00
SUPPORT SF - $3.00 NOT ALL HEROS WEAR TIGHTS AND CAPE - $3.00
SF SPECIAL BREED - $3.50LARGE SF STRIP - $4.00
POCKET INSERT WITH SFA FLASH AND 2 LINES TEXT FOR NAME AND CHAPTER - $25.00
