Region I — Northeast Region
AUSA Veterans Luncheon
On 06 NOV 2025, at the Sheraton EatonTown Hotel, in Eatontown, NJ the AUSA Monmouth Chapter held a Veteran's Day Luncheon dedicated to US Army Special Forces in which elements of Chapter XIX were treated to lunch. Chapter 19 members present each received a Certificate of Recognition from the AUSA County of Monmouth, a letter from the Governor, Commendation from the New Jersey Legislature, and a Quilt of Valor.
Interment of Forgotten Veterans
Part of the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, Missing in America Project and VVA Chapter 12, for a final salute to arms at the Military Honors For Forgotten Veterans service. This event, 16 OCT 2025, paid tribute to 18 forgotten veterans and one family member from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam War eras. Chapter XIX escorted Coast Guardsman Michael A. Calicari, Vietnam Veteran.
Interment of Forgotten Veterans
West Point Football Run
On 11 DEC 2025, Chapter XIX was invited by the NJ 82nd Airborne Association to attend the annual West Point Football Run. Cross Country and Marathon Teams from the academy run the football from West Point to the Army-Navy Game venue. The 82nd sponsors a lunch for the cadets and their NJ State Police escort.
Chapter Holiday Party11 Days (Operation Pineapple Express)
11 Days is a powerful one-man show written and performed by retired Green Beret Scott Mann, author of the bestselling book Operation Pineapple Express. Chapter XIX was invited by LTC Scott Mann for the final New York Show on 24 JAN 2026.
Operation Pineapple Express
CSM Michael Wong
On 7 January 2026, CSM Michael Wong participated in a Change of Responsibility Ceremony conducted at the Rhode Island National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. Mike served as the State Command Sergeant Major and previously held key positions within Special Operations Detachment – Global and Company A, 2/19SFG(A).
Dining Out
In December 2025, a few of us attended the Company A, 2/19SFG(A) Dining Out held at the Wyndham Hotel, Newport, RI. Current members of A Company, retirees, family members, and members of the 56th Troop Command were in attendance.
Respect and Condolences
Each year we expand our effort to locate the graves of brothers to honor their service by placing wreaths on their graves during December. Wreaths were placed on the graves of 42 brothers located in 18 cemeteries.
We also remember brothers and family members lost during the year and extend our sincere condolences.
Annual Christmas Party
The Chapter’s annual Christmas party was held on December 13, 2025 at the historic Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts, attended by 67 members and guests.
Member of the Year
Bill Friberg received the 2025 Member of the Year award with the support of his wife Susan. He recently sponsored a Chapter shoot/cook-out in Maine and helped strengthen connections with a local National Guard SF unit.
Kedenburg-Bucca Memorial Chapter 66
Sadly Chapter 66 lost a long-standing member Jim Kilcullen. Jim was a paratrooper with the 11th Abn Div and then in SF with 11th Grp (coincidence?). In Vietnam he served with Air America for 3 years and then returned stateside to continue serving with the 11th Grp in New York. He went on to become a detective with the NYPD and even opened a bar named the Green Beret in Manhattan. We'll miss Jim, may he rest in peace and may his family be comforted with knowing his memory lives on.
On a brighter note we also gained four new members, Art Mogil - former 20th Grp, John Faracco - former 11th Grp, Mike Johnson who is currently assigned to USMA, and Mark Aarons, currently serving with 20th Grp.
Chapter 66 members Jim McCauley and Dominic Filippone receiving an award from Representative Mike Lawler at a ceremony at Dominican University for their contributions to the veteran community in southeast NY.
Greetings from the Granite State and the New England Trojan Horse Chapter.
The Chapter’s annual Christmas party was held at the Merrimack VFW and was hugely successful with over 30 members and guests attending. Special thanks to Elaine Reinitzer for making all the catering arrangements and to Post 8641 for hosting.
At our January meeting, Chapter President Rich Giero presented Jeanne Malouin with a Certificate of Appreciation and a chapter photo for her efforts over the years. Jeanne is the canteen manager at the VFW and has been instrumental in scheduling all of our meetings and special events.
John Gargus’ book entitled, “Textbook Special Operations-The Son Tay Raid,” was recently published and is available for sale if anyone is interested. John is a retired USAF Colonel and Chapter member who was one of the chief planners of the raid. Books can be purchased online by googling the title and author.
After 10 plus years as Chapter Treasurer Paul Miller will be stepping down. Special thanks to Paul for his selfless service and outstanding performance. Thanks to Alex Kovanko who has stepped up and will be taking over as Chapter Treasurer.
It’s that time of year where we begin the planning process for the Green Beret Challenge which will be held the last weekend in June. Our POC’s for planning will be Dave Fielding and Bob Treutlein. We are still looking for volunteers to serve as trainers, team walkers and point sitters.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out when traveling through New England as we have several “safe houses” available to fellow Green Berets. Also please feel free to contact our Secretary, Harry Miller at 603-321-5070 or harry.e.miller58@gmail.com for anyone trying to locate/reconnect with our members.