Region V — Florida Region
Combat Dive Student Memorial underneath the SFUWO Flagpole
The Chapter worked with non-profits and benevolent donors to erect a memorial on the Special Forces Underwater Operations School in Key West, FL. The memorial honors the eight students who died in their pursuit to earn their Special Operations Combat Dive badge, displayed on seven pillars given two of the deaths occurred when a dive buddy team was lost at sea in 1965. Both are honored on the same pillar. All benevolent donors and organizations have their names engraved on the bricks surrounding the memorial in a small thanks to their generosity.
Special Forces Association Chapter 0 has been working diligently to support the Key West local community and memorialize the past, present, and future members of the Special Forces Regiment. In the last year, the Chapter gave a $3000 scholarship to the daughter of a Green Beret to help in her pursuit of higher education and becoming a nurse. This is the second $3000 scholarship the Chapter has given to an applicant since 2024.
Lastly, the Chapter provided a local charter school with $1000 during a fundraiser to build two playgrounds for their students on their school property. The Chapter plans to continue honoring the legacy of Greens Berets in 2026, expanding our scholarship program to include students needing financial assistance at local private schools, and enhancing community ties between the military and local leaders.
While the winter chill finally settled over the Emerald Coast, Chapter 7 remained as active as ever, trading fall sports for holiday traditions and formal attire. This quarter, the chapter shifted its focus toward honoring the fallen, celebrating our current quiet professionals, and maintaining the festive spirit that defines our community.
The Jingle Bell Jog 2025
The season kicked off with the Jingle Bell Jog, where the 7th SFG(A) community traded their kit for holiday hats and running shoes. It was a fantastic display of fitness and family, bringing Soldiers and their loved ones together for a little smoke session. Whether sprinting toward a personal best or strolling with the kids, the event captured the high-energy camaraderie that the regiment brings to the Emerald Coast.
In a more somber but deeply meaningful tribute, Chapter 7 members joined the local community for Wreaths Across America at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach. It was a powerful morning of reflection as volunteers placed wreaths on the graves of our nation’s heroes. Seeing the Green Berets among the sea of volunteers served as a poignant reminder of our commitment to "Never Forget," ensuring that the legacy of those who served before us is honored with dignity and respect by every generation.
The quarter reached its peak with the 7th Special Forces Group Winter Formal. It was a night of elegance and tradition, providing a rare opportunity for our operators and their spouses to step off the range and into the ballroom. The evening was a perfect blend of honoring our unit's storied history and celebrating the strength of the families who support the mission every day. From the toasts to the dance floor, the formal served as a well-deserved moment of celebration for the hardest-working group in the Army.
As we look toward the New Year, the Emerald Coast continues to be a bastion of support for our veterans. Whether we were supporting a fun-run or standing in silence among the headstones, Chapter 7 remains dedicated to giving back to the community that gives so much to us.
The rest of the country might be hunkering down for the freeze, but here in the Panhandle, we’re just getting warmed up for another year of service and brotherhood. De Oppresso Liber!
The Chapter is pleased to announce that one of our members, LTC David S. Clukey, US Army Special Forces GWOT (Retired), is 2026 Imprints of Honor - Honoree. Imprints of Honor does incredible work connecting students with Veterans—honoring their service, preserving America’s heritage, and helping shape the next generation of leaders.
On 27 January there was another gathering of Chapter 21 members for the Green Beret Troop Support (GBTS) luncheon in Cape Canaveral FL. 15 attended and discussed the full Chapter 21 luncheon and meeting on 21 February at River Rock Restaurant in Rockledge Florida.
Chapter 60 group photo during Menton Day anniversary event on 4 December at the Team House.
Chapter 60 began the year with the election and swearing-in of its Board of Directors during the annual Christmas Party. The Chapter congratulates the following officers: Brian Wilson, President; Pat Rizzi, Vice President of Operations; Keith Pecha, Vice President of Support; Joe Harosky, Secretary; and Jim Fagan, Treasurer. The Board looks forward to continuing the Chapter’s mission of fellowship, remembrance, and support of the Special Forces community.
Recent Chapter activities included the annual Menton Day observance and Christmas Party, both held at the Chapter’s new Team House in Tampa. Menton Day was observed on 4 December and marked the first time the event was hosted at the Team House. Thirty-one Chapter “Longtabbers” were present to honor the origins of Special Forces and the legacy of Colonel Aaron Bank. The observance reflected the traditional Menton Day format, featuring assorted meats, cheeses, bread, gravy, and beer, with members bringing their own canteen cups and knives. One attendee arrived dressed in period-appropriate attire, with hopes that participation in this tradition will grow in future years.
The Chapter’s annual Christmas Party was held on 14 December and also marked its first occurrence at the new Team House. Approximately 60 members and family members attended, enjoying an evening of fellowship and celebration to close out the year. Thanks to Casper Eloff, the Mosaic foundation provided a $50,000 donation to Team House Tampa at a recent Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. Chapter 60 members greatly appreciate the $3,000 donation from SFBMC Camp Bullis Chapter to SFA Chapter 60.
Looking ahead, Chapter 60 will host Springfest on 15 March from 1200 to 1500 at the Team House. This family-friendly, barbecue-style event is designed to bring together members, families, and supporters in a relaxed setting. In addition, SOF Week will take place in Tampa from 18–21 May and is expected to include participation from approximately 28 nations, further reinforcing Tampa’s role as a hub for the global Special Operations Forces community.
The Chapter extends its sincere thoughts and prayers to the families of Darrell Katz and Russell Dobbs, two of our Chapter brethren who recently passed. Their service and dedication to the Brotherhood will be remembered.
Chapter 60 meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month from 1730 to 1830 at the Team House, located at 6207 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida 33611. Members and visiting Brothers in the area are always welcome to attend. The Chapter also operates the Underground Tavern at the same location, open Thursday through Sunday from 1500 to 2200, providing an additional opportunity for fellowship.
De Oppresso Liber
Daved Humble with his Quilt of Valor.
Chapter 74 Member David Humble was presented with a Quilt of Valor by American Legion Post 68, Avon Park, FL on 10 Jan 2026
On 10 January, The American Musclecar Museum in Melbourne, Florida held a private tour for Chapter 74 members and families. The tour was opened up to include all SFA members and families, as well as Graduates of the US Military Academy, US Naval Academy, and US Air Force Academy. Over 150 people attended.
The American Musclecar Museum houses almost 500 beautiful cars, many of which have less than 100 miles on the odometer. It is typically only open for charity and special events. The owner, Mark Pieloch, and his staff are particularly supportive of veterans. While the Museum is open to all veterans annually around Veterans’ Day in November, it is packed at that time, so our private tour was even more special.
During our 02 May 2026 meeting our own Chapter 74-member, COL Bill Prince, will present an assessment of the strange relationship between radical Islam and left leaning organizations, such as Marxist and Communist groups. Bill has done extensive research on the alliance between the Left and radical Islam....including multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with the CIA." Bill is a 1970 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point and is a Viet Nam veteran. Bill is also Ranger/Special Forces qualified and has been deployed to various locations across his career, including multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hope everyone is doing well.
We in Chapter 76 continue to split our Chapter meetings between Miami-Dade and Broward County. Bass Pro is our usual location in Broward County and American Legion Post #24 in Miami Dade County. We changed locations to Dave & Busters for a new/ old experience. Please keep us in mind if you are passing through or boarding a cruise.
The Chapter continues to provide financial support to noteworthy charitable organizations and needy SFA individuals.
Greetings from SFA Chapter 85 (LXXXV) on the Florida Treasure Coast.
Sadly, we lost one of our earliest members last year. Nelson Parrish passed away on 1 September 2025. He was one of our leaders in supporting our JROTC participation. Several members attended and his Celebration of Life. He was buried in the South Florida National Cemetery in Palm Beach.
Welcome to our newest member, Robert Espiritu (D-9856) who joined our Chapter in December. He had previously served in Special Forces with our president Pete Marceau.
At our annual Christmas party we had a very special guest speaker, Lt. Tuan Phan, an ARVN 81st Airborne Ranger, Vietnam Special Forces veteran who was sent to a re-education camp for six years after the war. He now lives in Palm Beach with his daughter and family.
Lt. Phan spoke for a few minutes as did his daughter, thanking America for their opportunities. Chapter 85 President, Pete Marceau presented Lt. Phan with an Honorary membership in our Chapter.
We are off to a great start in 2026.
On 17 January, eleven members of Chapter 85 attended the annual PURPLE HEART CANE CEREMONY at the US Navy Seal Museum on N Hutchinson Island in Ft. Pierce, Fl. This year, the Purple Heart Cane organization presented 58 Hand Carved Canes to Purple Heart recipients. Hosted by Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart Cane Project founder Lloyd Lasenby with guest speakers: Sylvester McIntosh(USMC), Col Anthony Young, Rick Kaiser (CEO UDT SEal Museum) Congressman Brian Mast and Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia.
Organizer Lloyd Lasenby (SFA Chapter 85 member) arranged special seating for SF veterans and their family. It was an outstanding program dedicated to recipients of the Purple Heart. If you live in the area or are on vacation, it is not to be missed. If YOU HAVE BEEN AWADED the PURPLE HEART, you are eligible to receive a cane. For more information, please contact the Purple Heart Cane Project at: https://purpleheartcaneproject.org/ Each cane requires 30 to 40 hours to complete and they are true works of art.
Chapter 85 is very active in presenting certificates and medals to JROTC graduates in St Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach Counties.
In 2026, we will present medals and certificates at over 20 high schools in Palm Beach, Martin and St Lucie counties in Florida. It is always satisfying to see the enrolled cadets and their parents who support the program.
If you are a Special Forces veteran and in our area on vacation or have moved here permanently, we would like to meet with you for coffee or lunch. We generally meet at Mission BBQ,1407 NW St Lucie Blvd, Port St Lucie, 34986 at 1130h on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Please give Bill a call at 954 336 8445 to confirm dates and times.
Chapter 88 ended 2025 with many successes and contributions to the greater Jacksonville area in support for our fellow area veterans and our communities.
One end of the year highlight was support for the annual Wreaths Across America event. Chapter 88 members teamed up with Lt. Col. Patrick Heffernan to support the National Day of Remembrance held Dec. 13, 2025, at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Heffernan, who was then commander of the 3rd Bn., 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Camp Blanding, served as a keynote speaker. During the opening ceremony, he spoke to the dozens of family members and volunteers there to place Christmas wreaths by the headstones of some 23,000 veteran graves. Our member Pat Mulvihill, who is also on the cemetery volunteer support staff, helped with organizing the event. “When we look upon these wreaths, let them remind us that courage is not only found on a battlefield. It is found in the quiet moments of choosing to live, to serve, to remember, and to hope.” Heffernan said, “Thank you for being here. Thank you for honoring our heroes. May God bless our Gold Star families, our service members, past and present, and the United States of America,” Heffernan concluded.
Wreaths Across America 2025
One end of the year highlight was support for the annual Wreaths Across America event. Chapter 88 members teamed up with Lt. Col. Patrick Heffernan to support the National Day of Remembrance held Dec. 13, 2025, at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Heffernan, who was then commander of the 3rd Bn., 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Camp Blanding, served as a keynote speaker. During the opening ceremony, he spoke to the dozens of family members and volunteers there to place Christmas wreaths by the headstones of some 23,000 veteran graves. Our member Pat Mulvihill, who is also on the cemetery volunteer support staff, helped with organizing the event. “When we look upon these wreaths, let them remind us that courage is not only found on a battlefield. It is found in the quiet moments of choosing to live, to serve, to remember, and to hope.” Heffernan said, “Thank you for being here. Thank you for honoring our heroes. May God bless our Gold Star families, our service members, past and present, and the United States of America,” Heffernan concluded.
An Airport Holiday Tradition
On a warm, beautiful Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), Santa Claus and his elves visited the Military Lounge at the Jacksonville International Airport. Santa and his helpers spent the day providing Christmas cheer to traveling visitors, which included serving a holiday meal and passing out toys and treats to children. Santa, played by chapter member retired Sgt. Maj. John Page, is one of many veteran and civilian volunteers who help to run the lounge on a daily basis. SFA Chapter 88 provides annual financial support to the lounge and the local American Legion also provided some of the Holiday Cheer this year. In a turn of events, Air Force Capt. Vanessa Perez traveling through the airport, stopped by the lounge to surprise Santa and the staffers with her own home-baked cookie treats. Perez was flying to Wisconsin to visit her mother. She’s an active-duty logistics officer, her husband is a USAF A-10 pilot, and her father served in Army Special Forces. According to Santa, “She made some great cookies!”
SFA88 Supports POW/MIA Golf Tourney
Chapter 88 helped sponsor the annual POW/MIA Memorial golf tournament held Nov. 17 at the Eagle Harbor Golf Course in Fleming Island, Fla. Afterwards, the chapter received a letter of gratitude from retired Navy Capt. Sam K. Houston Jr., chairman of the board for the POW/MIA Memorial and Museum, Inc. Houston wrote, “…I thank you for your generous Silver Sponsorship of $1,000 for the 7th Annual Golf Tournament benefitting the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum.” The funds raised will go towards the proposed POW/MIA Memorial and Museum at Cecil Field west of Jacksonville. For our contribution, the chapter and our SFA logo were featured on the POW/MIA golf tournament website, on the club house banner, had two hole-signs on the course, and in the printed program. Our 4-man golf team placed 15 out of 30-plus teams, coming in at 7 under par. They tried hard (like woodpecker lips), but so many good teams were playing. Even though our team didn’t place this time, they gave it their best effort and had a great time.