Category Archives: DET-A-Functions

2016 Detachment”A” Function – Jeff Raker Honored Guest Speaker

Highlights

Bob Charest hosted another extremely successful Detachment(A)  function.  It was highly attended and everyone thoroughly enjoyed time with our DET-A family.

Gil Turcotte arrived on Tuesday and was the advance party on the scene.  He got all the supplies for our meals.  He got all the signatures for Joel Schenkelberger’ sympathy card.

Gil Turcotte also bought a card and had Detachment-A members sign it to recognize and show appreciation to  Bob Charest for all his efforts and work on behalf of Detachment-A, including the planning, setting up, selecting great guest speakers, hosting, and conducting and our Det-A functions which brings fellow Detachment-A members together and all the other projects Bob led to bring Detachment-A in from the cold.  Gil  had members at this function sign it.  Jeff Raker presented the card to Bob recognizing Bob’s individual efforts for putting Detachment-A on the map and for keeping Detachment-A alive.

Gil purchased a sign in book and got the signatures of all members who attended our function.

We had quite a few folks show up on Wednesday including the  point man, Sid Williams.

The two decals that were passed out to you all were each created and donated by Henry Bertrand  and Jon Lee.

Thursday’s highlight was Jack Tobin’s SFA CH-6 ham, briskets, and barbecue.  He cooked and served a great meal. He also had lots of sauces.  Bob Charest brought German potato salad, rolls, mustard, and some deserts.


Friday’s session began when Jeff Raker showed up ready for Chicken Friday.   He presented the original Chicken Friday symbolic plaque he received in 1980.

Bob Charest then got Friday’s session agenda going by introducing our  two highly accomplished guest speakers, Warner “Rocky” Farr and Larry Niedringhaus.  He also talked about 2017’s DET-A Function.

Warner “Rocky” Farr spoke about his long and distinguished career spanning 46 years, very impressive and accomplished.

Larry Niedringhaus spoke about his days as an enlisted member of Special Forces before he became an officer rising to the rank of full colonel.

Mike Mulieri brought the keg of German  beer this year for all to enjoy.

The brats meal by John Phipps and Brad Cooper was outstanding.

There were many other contributions, Ron Braughton with his beer contribution, Dennis Hobbie’s wife made 4 huge gourmet cakes, and Lin Niedringhaus brought her homemade cookies.  I can go on and on.  It was great team work.

Jeff Raker showed up on the scene and spent quite a bit of time with fellow Det-A members.   His son Jeff made a surprise appearance on Friday and stayed  the rest of the weekend.  He came equipped to make Chicken Friday, Chicken Friday by bringing the original Det-A chicken.


Saturday’s session started off with Bob Charest introducing   two  great guest speakers:  MG Jim Guest and Jeff Raker.   He also introduced Vinnie Feudo who provided an inspirational speech to start the meeting.  Jim spoke about Special Forces historically and future.

Our honored guest speaker, Jeff Raker was the main man.   He looked frail, but folks not in his mind nor stature.  He stood and spoke for over 45 minutes with no notes and was incredibly focused.  He is an amazing man.  His lovely wife Minako walked up to him as he was finishing up his speech and spoke to the members about Jeff, like only a devoted and loving wife is able.

Next year’s event will be in honor of him.


Jack Murphy interviewed quite a lot of folks for our 10,000 word Detachment(A) exclusive article.

2015 Detachment”A” Asheville Function

Detachment(A) September 2015 Function After Action Report

Our September 2015 function held in Asheville, NC was a huge success.

It began with an advance recon party arriving on Tuesday, 8 September consisting of Gil Turcotte, Rick Westbrook and Kim Kendle. Folks continued to filter in throughout the function.

The head count on Saturday, our main meeting, according to Mike Linnane stood at 90 folks.

On Friday SFA President Jack Tobin gave us an in depth update on SFA today and a glimpse of SFA tomorrow. His informative and wide-ranging lecture was greatly appreciated by all.

On Saturday Darrell Katz gave a captivating speech about the days he was Commander of Detachment(A). He revealed previously unknown and very interesting information that occurred during his tenure as Commander of Detachment(A).

Then Roxanne Merritt updated us on the JFK Museum.

LTC Larry Niedringhaus II who is attending the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA gave a comprehensive and informative speech on SF Operations today which was very well received. He will be receiving credit for the speech for his graduation.

MG(Ret) Jim Guest and Jack Tobin were made honorary members of Detachment(A) and presented with Detachment(A) Lapel pins.

Many thanks to Betty Amaker who set up the JFK Museum gift shop with a wide array of SF merchandise.

The absence of Jeff Raker due to his illness was deeply felt and he was sorely missed by all.

Mike Mulieri came through with his keg of beer.

Many thanks to you all for making this function successful.

Bob Charest Host/POC

Click on Gallery Picture to enlarge, view all

Group Photos

Event Photos

2014 Detachment”A” Function Columbia Function

The 2014 Detachment(A) function was held on Thursday, 12 June 2014 at the Knights of Columbus in Columbia, SC. It was held in conjunction with the SFA Conference in Columbia, SC, from 9-15 June 2014. Well over 120 folks attended our DET-A function, including MG Jim Guest(Ret) – our guest of honor, MG Sidney Shachnow(Ret) – guest speaker and CSM Jeffrey Raker(Ret) – guest speaker.

John Blevins put together a DET-A People and Places CD with over 200 pictures he collected from DET-A members. He packaged them and gave them out at our function. He plans on adding more pictures for our next function in 2015 with improvements.