Region III — Mid-Atlantic Region
Son Tay Raiders, POWs and Friends at the National Ranger Memorial for the 55th Reunion of the Son Tay Raid.
In November, the National Ranger Memorial Foundation and the National Infantry Association hosted the 55th Son Tay Raider Reunion, honoring the legacy of the Son Tay Raiders and commemorating our shared history and contributions of MACV-SOG, MIKE Force, and POWs. Chapter members MG Ken Bowra briefed on MACVSOG, MAJ Willie Merkerson briefed on Mike Force, and Ray Oden represented the chapter at the showing of the documentary film “27 Minutes at Son Tay,” which the chapter helped to fund. The Raiders were all awarded the Infantry’s Order of Saint Maurice and feted with a beautiful banquet at the National Infantry Museum, a wreath-laying at the National Ranger Memorial, and a Q&A with the Ranger Regiment, the Ranger Training Brigade cadre, and the current OCS class and the OCS Cadre. As the Q&A closed, Son Tay Raider CSM Tyrone Adderley rose and charged the trainers and leaders there to understand the difference between “Transactional Leadership” and “Transformational Leadership,” urging them, as leaders and trainers, to be “Transformational Leaders” like the leaders of the Son Tay Raid! The final event of the reunion was the screening of the documentary film “27 Minutes at Son Tay,” for which Chapter XI members David Jackson, Frank Levesque, Dan Packa, and Ray Oden served as historical advisors. The DVD or Digital Release of the movie “27 Minutes at Son Tay” is now out for pre-order with a delivery date of March 2026.
Chapter XI played a large part in the editing of this, so get your copy at: 27 Minutes at Son Tay
December came, and our Chapter Secretary Emerita, Dr. Virginia “Ginny” Norton, once again hosted a delightful and well-attended Chapter Christmas Party in December. Thank You, Ginny!
In January, chapter member and Navy SEAL Tom Valentine coordinated with London’s Special Forces Club to provide an Operations Overview of Task Force K-Bar in Afghanistan at the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Chapter XI represents the Regiment at every Special Forces Soldier’s funeral at Arlington National Cemetery and assists the family and friends of our comrades-in-arms. Since November, we have luckily only honored and celebrated the life of COL Richard Drew. If you know of any upcoming SF funerals in Arlington or the DC area, please let Chapter XI know so we can reach out to the next of kin and provide support. Chapter XI works hard to prevent the family of their Green Beret's alone at the ceremony.
Each month, the Chapter is still active in the LTC James K. Waters Memorial RANGER-Special Forces Breakfast. We rally at 0800 Hours at American Legion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Ave, Springfield, VA 22151. If you’re in the neighborhood, please join us! Joe Crane and Mike Chaney have also branched out to start a Shenandoah Valley Ranger-SF Breakfast for the Shenandoah Valley on the fourth Saturday at the Marshall Diner, Strasburg Diner, 119 Hite Ln, Strasburg, VA 22657, starting at 0900 Hours.
The 2026 SF Regimental Birthday Ball will be on Friday, May 8, 2025, at the Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA. This year, the Chapter will honor the Veterans of Special Forces Detachment-Korea. We’ve already got support coming from the US Army Color Guard, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the US Army Chorus; so, save the date and join us!
On 14 Dec. 2025, in Pikesville, MD, Chapter 26 members attended the annual chapter Christmas party. Incident of the event elections for chapter officers were held.
All chapter members are grateful for the service of outgoing President Jim Diven Jr. and look forward to working with newly elected President Bill Hanrahan.
Three students received Chapter 68 Scholarships of $1000 this year. David Stark and Jack Blackman, grandsons of SGM (R) Tom Workman, as well as Sarah Galang, daughter of Honorary Member Saboor Galang.
Thanks to John Rose who donated a rifle to be raffled for the scholarship fund resulting in $2000 raised.
Congratulations to Mike Silver who won the rifle.
Thanks to CW3 Jason Addis and his wife Lisa for hosting the 3rd Annual 2/19 reunion. It was a great event and well attended. They will be hosting the 4th Annual 2/19 Reunion this next October. Thanks to Dirk Hay for setting up the range for Chapter 68 Family Range Day.
Chapter 84 supporting Mission 22 salt water fishing for veterans
Chapter 84 recently supported the charity Fishing for a Mission 22. Mission 22 is a connect program provides veterans with the opportunity to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of recreational fishing through fishing charters and land-based events. Currently, there are boat captains located in Massachusetts, Virginia Beach, and Myrtle Beach. Operation Tackle 22 is our peer-to-peer leadership development and vocational mentorship program dedicated to preventing suicide and promoting healing among our heroes. Thirdly, we have opened our first FFTM22 Resource Center for veterans and first responders, dedicated to providing comfort, vocational guidance, employment support, benefits assistance, and behavioral health services to those who have given so much for our nation.
Greetings from Chapter XC in Fredericksburg, VA. Now that the holidays are behind us, we can relax a little and focus on upcoming Chapter business. Our next SF/Ranger breakfast gathering is scheduled for March 14th. Our quarterly breakfasts are open to all in the SOF community. We continue to promote camaraderie and support for all special operations personnel in our area. Check out our website calendar – www.SFACH90.org, for more information regarding Chapter events.
In December, the Chapter raffled off four guns; a lever action Heritage 92 rifle in .357, an 1878 double barreled Coach Gun in 12 gauge, an 1872 open top Army pistol in .45 Long Colt, and a Bond Arms Snake Slayer Derringer in .410 gauge/.45 Long Colt. Nearly all raffle tickets were sold, which generated a nice chunk of change for our charity fund. We hold several raffles during the year to generate cash for worthwhile charities. If anyone is interested in purchasing tickets, check out our website for raffle information.
We didn’t conduct much Chapter business at the end of the year due to holiday preparations and commitments. After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we held our annual holiday dinner party in January. This year we gathered at Ristorante Renato in Fredericksburg. We had a great turn out of Chapter members and their families. A great time was had by all.
In February, our Chapter President presented a donation to Marsha Bernard to help with free sewing classes she is hosting for girls in our local 4-H Club. Our Chapter provides many charitable donations to local veteran organizations, youth programs, and other worthwhile causes. We are extremely proud of our track record over the years of providing help where help is needed.
Our annual William “Bill” Billingslea Memorial Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, May 15th, at the Gauntlet Golf Course located in Fredericksburg, VA. This is our primary fund raising event that supports our Chapter’s SF Scholarship program, as well other charitable activities. If anyone is interested in playing in the tournament or being a sponsor, please go to our website or contact Joe Wieland directly at jmw355@comcast.net. The tournament is always great fun and it’s for a good cause. We hope to see some familiar faces there.
Chapter 90 meets the first Friday of every month at 2000 hours at Moose Lodge 2215, 422 Eskimo Hill Rd, Stafford, VA. They are great hosts with an affordable bar! As always, the team room is always open to all SF teammates. If you’re travelling through the area, all are welcome to join us.