SFA Chapter VII
"South of the Border Chapter"
Last Quarter Meeting
From the desk of the president.
Hello again from Puerto Rico. Well I finally got
around to updating the last quarter meeting page. We have had a few things
happen since the last update so bear with me as I update you.
First: The
bar itself. We have done a ton of construction to the Chapter. We expanded
the bar area by adding onto the original bar making a “u” shaped
wrap-around bar. There’s only 1 screw holding the new portion to the
original bar so don’t panic everyone! The kid’s room is almost
finished. Bonnie Locke and her crew did a great job priming and painting
the place. Drew and Liz Daniels brought in the first load of toys and they
have been growing ever since with donations coming in all the time. I
started a new project. I began construction on another room that we have.
“The Team Room” will be more like a day room with couches, an
entertainment center, microwave, and a refrigerator when we are finished
with it. I am currently looking for pictures that I can hang on the walls.
It doesn’t matter if they are old pictures or new ones. I will find a
place of honor for them on the wall.
Second: The
30th Anniversary Formal was held on May 27th, 2002.
We held it at the Westin Rio Mar Resort. It was Awesome! We had CMOH
recipient Col. Roger Donlon and his wife Norma as our guest speaker. I
can’t think of anyone more perfect for our Chapters guest speaker than
the first Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from Vietnam and the only
7th Grouper to receive it as well. I had the privilege of
escorting them from time to time during their visit and I had a great time
with them. We had a protective service detail course going on when they
arrived, so the company used the Donlons as their VIP’s during their FTX.
The Donlons had a bit of excitement and a lot of fun. We had the Col. back
to being an action guy again!
The Formal
went extremely well. The beef medallion and prawn for a main course went
over great. Thank God because you know what kind of Type A personalities
we have down here. The entire dinner was excellent. I thought it would be
a good idea to do something a little different for our formal since it was
our 30th Anniversary and the Associations 50th. We
had a “Grog” bowl, or what we called “The mixing of the drinks”.
Almost identical to our dining in “grog” bowl ceremony I had guys from
the company stand up with a bottle representing each group and come
forward telling everyone something about that group while mixing it into
the bowl. Everything was going well until we had to find Steve Bernasconi
with the bottle of Jagermeister representing 10th Group. We
found him and the bottle was still in good form. Amazing! It was great
night. We got lucky with the whole thing. Timing, weather, everything
seemed to be on our side that night. To all of those that helped out I
thank you greatly.
Third: We
have taken a new project. We now currently sponsor the “Student of the
Month” at the local elementary school. This student of the month is
selected based on merit. citizenship, and attendance. The Chapter buys the
winners of this award breakfast each month. The kids love it.
Fourth: We
will be having upcoming elections this month for the new Chapter officers.
I will be PCSing in July back to the great Ft. Bragg, so it is out with
the old in with the new time. Nominations will be taken this month and
through the month of June. You can post your nomination on our guest book
at the web site or E-mail them to me. There will also be a list posted on
the wall at C/3/7 to post your nominations.
The election will held tenetively on June 28th 2002. The
new officers will take office on the 7th of July 2002. I wish
them luck and the best in their future projects and endeavors.
Fifth: We
are currently offering Lifetime memberships for $200.00. It is a limited
time offer over at the end of June. So get your memberships in NOW ! This
is a great deal. The Chapter and the National HQ have waived their fees
cutting down the cost for our Chapter alone.
Finally: For those of you who are unaware of the Chapters location, we are in 2nd floor of BLDG. #735 in the Bundy area on Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, PR. We are right above the library. That might help you find us a little better. So come on down and see us. We will be glad to have you as our guest, and who knows you might even see a few familiar faces.
Hasta Luego
Loland E. Weems
Chapter 7 president
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Previous Quarter
Hello again from Puerto Rico. As usual we are very busy here what with
work and working on the Association. The big news is that we had our
elections back in June and here are the results: President, Ed Weems; Vice
President, J.B. Erickson; Secretary, Curtis Parsons; Asst. Secretary, Amil
Alvarez; Treasurer, Johnny Schlosser; Asst. Treasurer, Mike Puccio.
President Ed Weems immediately organized a make over of the Association.
We now have a childrens pplay room complete with toys and videos to keep
them happy. the Association area was enlarged by knocking out a wall and
building another bar. Some new paint here and there and it looks great. By
the way we are looking for any photos that have to do with Association in
Panama/Puerto Rico or Special Forces south of the border.
At our last Chapter meeting we set a date, 27 April 2002, for the next
Associaton Ball. This is a big one folks. It's the 30th anniversary of
Chapter 7. We will be holding it at the El Conquistador Resort and all
members throughout the community are encouraged to attend, especially Life
Members. We here in Puerto Rico can help with reservations, locations, and
information etc..Contact us by mail, address in front The Drop, or e-mail to
Curtis Parsons at quiotbiker@hotmail.com or Amil Alvarez at
boricua70@yahoo.com..Also I'm sure any of the other members would be glad to
help any way they can.
We have set up a fund raising committee consiting of Curtis Parsons and
Amil Alvarez and they would appreciate any ideas you may have. So far Tommy
Austin has set up a few car washes, it's always so sunny here, so keep an
eye out and get your car washed. We are also planning a Poker Run, some bake
sales and tournaments (pool, darts, bowling, etc.) Mike Puccio is planning
some pretty big raffles, donations are greatly appreciated.
Other than that Joel Dawson, Ansel Warren, Dan Whitney, Tim Southern and
some of the other guys have been working with the local Boy Scouts. Great
job, keep it up. The Chapter has enjoyed an ongoing increase in members
from C/3/7 SFG(A), D/160 SOAR(A), SOCSOUTH, and our friends and neighbors
here on Naval Station Roosevelt Roads. As a reminder we are open the last
duty day of each week. The Chapter is located on the second floor of bldg.
735 in the Camp Bundy are of NSRR. Come on down and checkit out.
Finally a farewell to Joel Dawson, Godfrey "Bubba" Godfrey,Brady Hines,
Gary Bowers, Willie Gibbons, Dan Lopez, Rob Holley, Abe Sanchez and any
others that have PCS'ed out of here. Thanks for your support and stop by the
assciation whenever you can. Hasta Luego.
Previous Quarter
Greetings from south of the border.
The last six months have been fairly busy for Chapter 7 and its members.
Since our last article we have attended the the Second Annual SOCSOUTH formal held in December of 2000, General Remo Butler introduced the guest speaker, Ambassador Michael Sheehan, an old C/3/7 SFG (A) member, and the Chapter officers took him by The Association for a few drinks.
We have also been supporting the local Boy Scout Chapter
on numerous occasions, and have held a car wash to help "foot the bill" for
the first Chapter 7 Special Forces Association formal held on the island of
Puerto Rico this last March. The formal was a great success due to the
tremendous work amount of work put into the planning and execution by Andres
Ramos and his wife Mara Ramos. Andres was the master of ceremonies for the
formal and keeping up with Chapter 7 traditions he kept the members and
guests in stitches. Billy Crystal could not have done a better job. Thanks
Andy! Chapter 7 would like to give extra special thanks to Overseas Military
Car Sales for their generous contributions on all the door prizes as well as
Hard rock cafe and Sherri Fula.
We also enjoyed the NCOPD that SGM (R) Kenneth McMullin gave to the
active-duty members of Chapter 7. It was a great honor escorting him on his
short stay on the island and we enjoyed listening to the stories of the
former Chapter 7 president and Special Forces icon. We poured through the
picture albums and he named every person, place and event. Prior to his
leaving the island, Chapter 7 gave the SGM a small token of our
appreciation. It was a five pound brass statue of a Special Forces NCO
preparing to fire an MP-5. The unique thing about this statue is it was made
in El Salvador by one of the Special Forces units there from actual brass
that had been shot on the range. A fitting plaque for a well respected
Special Forces NCO. That's two for the Association Chuck!!
Chapter 7 officers are already planning the next big bash. This will be in
May of 2002 for the 30 year anniversary of Chapter 7. All members are
encouraged to come down and attend the function if at all possible,
especially Life Members.
The Chapter would like to thank the following members who have supported
this Chapter from Panama to Puerto Rico. Thanks to James "Trey" Hess who
always did what ever the Chapter asked of him. Good luck back in the states
and anytime you want to come down to help stock and clean the bar you're
more than welcome.
Thanks to Raul Bocanegra. I know you gave us your couch
and as soon as your old team is done with it I'm sure they'll bring it over.
When Toms done sleeping on it!!
We would also like to thank Greg Walker.
Greg you're always welcomed back as long as you continue to bring your own
cup. Reserve and Coke right? A special thanks goes to Ramiro Garcia who just
retired. You have been an outstanding member and friend to this Chapter and
good luck to you and your family in Panama. We all wish we could go with
you. Really!! You will be sorely missed.
The Chapter has enjoyed an ongoing increase in members from C/3/7 SFG (A),
D-160 SOAR (A), SOCSOUTH, and a host of other active -duty and retired
Special Forces members from across Puerto Rico.
As a reminder, we are always open the last duty day of each week.
The Chapter is located on the second floor of Building 735 in the Camp Bundy area of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads.
We look forward to seeing all of you who can make it down.
De Oppresso Liber!
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Previous Quarter Meeting
Greetings from "South of the Border."
President - Joel "Indio" Dawson
Vice-President - Andres Ramos
Secretary - Kieth "Budda" McKinney
Treasurer - Godfrey A. "Bubba" Godfrey
Elections were held in September with the individuals mentioned above chosen for a one-year term.
Out going president, Chuck Brune, received a much-deserved plaque from the members of the Association for his hard work and commitment during his two years bringing the Chapter to where it is right now.
The Halloween Party was outstanding with an awesome showing of costumes as seen in the photos (The Drop, pg 24, Winter 2000).
Thanks to all who came and participated.
Let's make next year's even better!
Upcoming events for the Chapter during this quarter include our Christmas party, and in February, our Valentine's Formal.
We will be sponsoring a golf tournament and a 10K run, all the units' intramural activities, and are supporting the Boy Scout Troop on the installation.
To all of our brothers-in-arms that are passing through, please pay us a visit.
We are normally open at 1700 hours on the last duty day of the week.
The Chapter is located in the Bundy Area of NSRR, Building 735, on the second floor.
Or contact us at (787) 865-8882 (Chap. 7 Office)
Joel Dawson (787) 865-8802 (W),
G.A. Godfrey (787) 865-8869 (W)/ (787) 865-1549 (H).
DE OPPRESSO LIBER.
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Previous Quarter Meeting
Even though we are not as far south as we used to be.
Chapter VII's new home is on
Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico
The "Isle of Enchantment,"
or so says the license plate.
The Chapter had its final blowout on Ft. Clayton, Panama in May of 1999.
Soon afterward we found ourselves packed up lock, stock and barrel and headed to hurricane alley.
The U.S. Navy rolled out the red carpet for our unit by providing us with a muddy field on which to park our shipping conexes and to set up our team tents.
For seven long months (during hurricane season) we found ourselves working out of these muddy hooches, bringing back the days of the old Soto Cano, Honduras.
Our unit's permanent facility, a renovated Navy Exchange furniture store, was completed just in time for us to tear down the tents before Hurricane Jose swept within 50 miles of the Naval Station.
Needless to say, Chapter VII's membership wandered homeless during this time, meeting occasionally at local establishments in an attempt to reorganize.
Finally, thanks to the generosity of SOCSOUTH BG James Parker, we are proud to announce our new home is in the Bundy Area, Building 735, on the second floor.
We would like to say thank you to all of you who have contributed throughout the years to make this a successful Chapter. In the year since we left Panama, the turnover of membership has been too great to mention here.
What has survived amongst the remaining membership is a nostalgia for the camaraderie and debauchery of the Chapter VII of old.
Amazingly, "THE BAR" and the pool table have survived yet another move.
When the new space was secured in late March 2000, the membership immediately liberated these and other Chapter VII icons from their dark, dank shipping conex and set about trying to squeeze them into the new facility.
With a little imagination, an aircraft pallet, a forklift, a crane and the removal of a few windows, "THE BAR" and pool table were swung and hoisted into their new home. Thanks to the Navy's Seabees who were working in the area, we were able to replace the windows. Well, almost.
Since we acquired our new facility for the Association, interest has grown tremendously.
We are sponsoring the Army triathlon team here, all the unit intramural activities, and will be supporting the Boy Scout Troop on the installation.
The unit made an immediate impact on the Naval Station by winning the IM Soccer League and took second in their Tournament.
A reminder to all SFers passing through Puerto Rico, the Chapter is alive and well on Naval Station Roosevelt Roads. Stop by and relax and share your stories from Ft. Bragg and the field. We are normally open at 1700 on the last duty day of the week.
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