| SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION CHAPTER LXIX NEWSLETTER JUNE AND JULY 2007 BERNIE FISHER CHAPTER THE NEXT MEETING IS ON SEPTEMBER 4th AT NOODLES AT 1900 HOURS. |
President: Jack Frost 208-454-8361
Vice President: Bob Shuster 541-372-5222
Treasurer: Bob Robertson 208-459-4798
Chaplain: 208-482-7495
Editor: ted@SFA-ChapterLXIX.com
Vice President: Bob Shuster 541-372-5222
Treasurer: Bob Robertson 208-459-4798
Chaplain: 208-482-7495
Editor: ted@SFA-ChapterLXIX.com
A tip of the beret to Mike Edwards for hosting the first annual chapter picnic. Thanks to Bob for doing a great
barbecue and the sauce is great. It exciting to realize that the chapter now has Team House in the making. We will
still hold most of our meetings at Noodles, probably until the team house is finished then we can decide on what
the chapter wants to do. For those that missed the picnic you missed out, I believe we planned this event far
enough in advance that all the members could have schedule their time to attend, you missed out.
Our next meeting will be at Noodles on the 4th of Sept. at 1900hrs, we will discuss the Veterans Parade, and
decided if we want to participate. I will cover things discussed at the convention to include the auditing of the
books, the report is in the summer drop, if you have questions bring them up. Let’s have a good turnout for the
start of the fall and winter season, bring a new member.
Jack
barbecue and the sauce is great. It exciting to realize that the chapter now has Team House in the making. We will
still hold most of our meetings at Noodles, probably until the team house is finished then we can decide on what
the chapter wants to do. For those that missed the picnic you missed out, I believe we planned this event far
enough in advance that all the members could have schedule their time to attend, you missed out.
Our next meeting will be at Noodles on the 4th of Sept. at 1900hrs, we will discuss the Veterans Parade, and
decided if we want to participate. I will cover things discussed at the convention to include the auditing of the
books, the report is in the summer drop, if you have questions bring them up. Let’s have a good turnout for the
start of the fall and winter season, bring a new member.
Jack
| WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHAPTER |
| THE CHAPLAIN’S CORNER |
I remember years ago when Ann Rynd (Atlas Shrugged, etc.) was all the rage on college campuses. I remember too
a selection from her book The Virtues of Selfishness where she pointed out that while in combat if your buddy was
hit and out in the open you would be foolish to leave your protected position to try to help or save him. That’s the
virtue of selfishness – i.e. take care of #1 and forget anyone else. All of us have seen this philosophy played out in
the dog eat dog of the corporate world or standing in line at a sporting event or a ski line.
How different this is from the guidelines given us in the Bible and especially in the life of Jesus Christ who
“emptied himself and came as a SERVANT” to give His life for us so that we might have real life both now and for
eternity.
I’m reminded of David’s ‘Mighty Men’, three of whom risked their lives in a night time infiltration through superior
enemy lines to get a cup of water from the well at Bethlehem for their commander (King) David. I’m reminded of the
story of the Good Samaritan (a people despised by the Jews because they were half-breeds) who took it upon
himself to go out of his way to help someone in need who under normal circumstances wouldn’t give him the time of
day. I’m reminded too of our Medal of Honor recipients who put their lives on the line for others with no thought of
rewards. Most of all I’m reminded of Jesus Christ on the cross dying in our place rather than calling in legions
(divisions) of angels to save himself.
We need each other. We need to care about each other. We need to get our focus off ourselves and to reach
out to each other especially as age begins to take its toll on our too often abused bodies. We need to be willing to
accept the help that is offered and as a Special Forces community we need to offer that help in whatever form it may
come in – a phone call, a ride to the doctor, a note, help with finances, help with moving, a good book, or the
prayers of caring buddies.
Our basic structure is the A-Team with emphasis on the word TEAM. Team members don’t leave wounded
teammates out in the open. They take the risk and reach out to them even if it means exposing themselves to
danger to attempt to bring them to safety. That’s what we were taught in training and that’s what the Bible teaches.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. You are my friends……”(John 15:
13).
Chaplain Vahan Sipantzi
26972 Lower Pleasant Ridge Rd.
Wilder, ID 83676
(208) 482-7495
a selection from her book The Virtues of Selfishness where she pointed out that while in combat if your buddy was
hit and out in the open you would be foolish to leave your protected position to try to help or save him. That’s the
virtue of selfishness – i.e. take care of #1 and forget anyone else. All of us have seen this philosophy played out in
the dog eat dog of the corporate world or standing in line at a sporting event or a ski line.
How different this is from the guidelines given us in the Bible and especially in the life of Jesus Christ who
“emptied himself and came as a SERVANT” to give His life for us so that we might have real life both now and for
eternity.
I’m reminded of David’s ‘Mighty Men’, three of whom risked their lives in a night time infiltration through superior
enemy lines to get a cup of water from the well at Bethlehem for their commander (King) David. I’m reminded of the
story of the Good Samaritan (a people despised by the Jews because they were half-breeds) who took it upon
himself to go out of his way to help someone in need who under normal circumstances wouldn’t give him the time of
day. I’m reminded too of our Medal of Honor recipients who put their lives on the line for others with no thought of
rewards. Most of all I’m reminded of Jesus Christ on the cross dying in our place rather than calling in legions
(divisions) of angels to save himself.
We need each other. We need to care about each other. We need to get our focus off ourselves and to reach
out to each other especially as age begins to take its toll on our too often abused bodies. We need to be willing to
accept the help that is offered and as a Special Forces community we need to offer that help in whatever form it may
come in – a phone call, a ride to the doctor, a note, help with finances, help with moving, a good book, or the
prayers of caring buddies.
Our basic structure is the A-Team with emphasis on the word TEAM. Team members don’t leave wounded
teammates out in the open. They take the risk and reach out to them even if it means exposing themselves to
danger to attempt to bring them to safety. That’s what we were taught in training and that’s what the Bible teaches.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. You are my friends……”(John 15:
13).
Chaplain Vahan Sipantzi
26972 Lower Pleasant Ridge Rd.
Wilder, ID 83676
(208) 482-7495
From The Editor
Here is something that I got from Gary Brenz of Chapter 73 it is a MUST READ if you care at all about SF.
"The Long Farewell
"The Capstone Concept for Special Operations being developed for USSOCOM includes the concept “Global
Expeditionary Forces,” and all indications point to an intent to replace the SF Groups with this new concept. " By
Major General (R) James A. Guest ..........See "Editorial" Page
http://www.veteransofspecialforces.org/"
We are still looking for a few more people to contribute from time to time. How about a weapons section? (FYI that is
a hint Bob.) Any other ideas? Hunting tips you get the idea.
Ted
"The Long Farewell
"The Capstone Concept for Special Operations being developed for USSOCOM includes the concept “Global
Expeditionary Forces,” and all indications point to an intent to replace the SF Groups with this new concept. " By
Major General (R) James A. Guest ..........See "Editorial" Page
http://www.veteransofspecialforces.org/"
We are still looking for a few more people to contribute from time to time. How about a weapons section? (FYI that is
a hint Bob.) Any other ideas? Hunting tips you get the idea.
Ted
Here are some picture from the BBQ
and the Convention. If you where not
there you really missed out.
Click here.
and the Convention. If you where not
there you really missed out.
Click here.