1st Quarter Linkups:
Blue Collar Café, South Okaloosa “Morning Breakfast”
Linkups are informal 7th SFA opportunities for comradery and networking. The first morning linkup this quarter was on January 17th at the Blue Collar Cafe in Niceville. Special thanks to Eli Mason and Nancy Whiddon, owners of the Blue Collar Café and their wonderful staff and to Dennis Guy for coordinating this event. It was scheduled from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. but like most linkups it actually ended about an hour later as conversations continued and schedules permitted.
Hub City Smokehouse and Grill, North Okaloosa “Morning Breakfast”
We had a great morning linkup on February 12th at the Hub City Smokehouse and Grill in Crestview. Thanks for all the participation from our North Okaloosa SFA Chapter VII members.
O’Quigley’s Ale House, North Okaloosa “Afternoon Gathering”
Thank you Al Zalenski for setting up the Chapter's 1st North Okaloosa "Afternoon Gathering" event on March 3rd at Johnny O’Quigley’s Ale House, Crestview. As you can see from the picture below it was a big success; about 20 members and guests showed up to engage in conversation and share stories.
Hub City Smokehouse and Grill, North Okaloosa “Morning Breakfast”
Thank you Vance Walker for coordinating our second North Okaloosa “Morning Breakfast” held on March 19th. Come join us as we continue to grow these opportunities to meet and share with other members of the SFA community.
Pepper’s, North Okaloosa “Afternoon Gathering”
Thank you Andrew Rencick for setting up the Chapter's 2nd monthly North Okaloosa "Afternoon Gathering" on March 31st at Pepper’s Mexican Grill & Cantina , Crestview. We had a good turnout with about 14 members and guests enjoying beverages and participating in casual conversations.
1st Quarter Activities: SFA Chapter VII 10th Annual Poker Run On Saturday, March 19th from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, we held the 10th Annual SFA CH VII Poker Run sponsored by Mike Parker and his KC’s Sandbar & Grill in Fort Walton Beach. It was a beautiful day for motorcycle riding. We had 14 people sign up and 12 people rode the course. Sam Smith was the Chapter's primary planner. The Poker Run began after registration (see picture below) with each participant drawing playing cards at the beginning, at each stop and at the end of the ride for a total of five cards and marked on a score card. At the end of the ride each score card was collected and analyzed to see who held the best and worst hand. Emerald Coast Harley Davidson donated two gift cards that were presented to the winners of the low and high poker hands. The Poker Run stops were at the SF Brotherhood MC club house on Hwy 20, the Red Bay Market on Hwy 81 (see picture below), AMVETS, Post 35 in Crestview and ended at KCs Sandbar and Grill. The AMVETS commander presented a $100 donation (see picture below). After the ride Mike and Beverly Parker (owners of KCs Sandbar and Grill) were presented with a SF Crest Plaque for their 10 years of support to Chapter VII. That was followed with a raffle of items donated by Sam Smith, KCs Sandbar and Grill and the Chapter. The event also included live entertainment and a complimentary BBQ buffet dinner for all the riders donated by Mike. Total funds raised were $1099.
Support provided 7th SFG related activities and other assistance The 2nd Battalion 7th SFG(A) hosted a cook out for the Colombian Special Forces at Chapter VII's Team House on Saturday, 26 March. It was to relax and enjoy traditional American grilling, games and music. The Colombian SF team is here conducting a JCET with the US Special Operation Forces and joint combined integration with conventional forces. The 7th SFA Team House is available for use in support of SF related activities.
Our SFA supported the 7th Special Forces Group "Barracks Rats" reunion
consisting of 70s-80s legendary 7th Group (some C37 Plank Holders) Green Berets who fought in El Salvador, Grenada, Honduras and Panama. Some members where directly involved in the capture of General Noriega. Special guest LTC (ret) Lucius "Gus" Taylor, CSM Joe Callahan and SGM Chuck Studley provide never before heard war stories including the truth of SGT Fronius fight the enemies against all odds, which was captured by 7th SFG (A) Public Affairs office and Lessons Learned office.
7th Group Green Beret stories from the 80s, told directly by the men who were there, help current and future Operators succeed in Latin American TTPs faintly used since the start of the War on Terror in the middle east.
The Barracks Rats stated "thanks SFA7 /7th group for everything you did for our brothers...many said it was the first time they felt "home" in a long time, we are family, a lesson learned in the 80s.
Special thanks to CPT Schneider of 4/7 and C37 for hosting and making the event memorable!
Chapter VII Website https://www.sfa7.com
A special General Membership meeting was held, via Wix Live, on March 7, 2022 from 7 pm to 9 pm . Topics discussed included: State of the Chapter, Chapter Purpose, Past Year Overview, Upcoming Year Plans, Financial Overview and Member Q&A. As a follow-up to the meeting members were asked to complete an online survey by March 21, 2022 to see how Chapter VII can strengthen our SFA community.
SFA Chapter VII Officers
President: Dan Hendrix Vice President: Dennis Guy Secretary: JR Osorio “Oso” Treasure: Scott Kramer Quartermaster: Vacant Volunteer Coordinator: Vacant
The Special Forces Association Serves as the Voice for the Special Forces Community; Perpetuates Special Forces Traditions and Brotherhood; Advances the Public Image of Special Forces and Promotes the General Welfare of the Special Forces Community. Volunteer to support your SFA fundraising events
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