Special Forces Association Chapter 35 (N. Ohio)

Events

Events: Chapter 35 and Partner Organizations

Memorial - CPT Richard M Rees, SF
May
27
11:00 AM11:00
SFA35 Event

Memorial - CPT Richard M Rees, SF

Captain Richard M Rees, SF - Memorial - KIA RVN December 1973

  • Memorial Day 27 May 1200 hours

    • Warren Amphitheater public event

    • All Chapter XXXV Members are encouraged to attend in Berets & Blazers

  • Private Ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery

    • Dedication  of Grave Marker (new) 

    • Sole surviving sibling, Mary Fraser, to attend

On 15 DEC 1973, in South Vietnam, during a pause in hostilities between American and communist forces, Captain Rees was killed by gunfire.  The captain and two Special Forces sergeants came under intense  fire while conducting an unarmed Joint Casualty Resolution  Center (JCRC) mission near Saigon.   According to the sergeants, who were rescued, Captain Rees ordered them stay down while he himself stood up and went forward to meet the hostile commander.  The captain's body was recovered later that day by the JCRC force to which he was attached.

His combat decorations included the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars and the Bronze Star.  We are working with the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission to add the DSC, the second SS and the BS to a new grave marker which will reflect his valor and sacrifice.

Captain Rees was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, Class of 1959.

RSVP here.

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Sawmill FTX - Tactical Competition - Laurens, SC
Jan
7
8:00 AM08:00
Partner Event

Sawmill FTX - Tactical Competition - Laurens, SC

Keith R, a friend to Chapter 35, is putting together this unique Tactical Competition. Check it out…

A couple of folks have asked how the Sawmill FTX is different from other tactical competitions. The differences are mission orientation, fitness component, fieldcraft, shooting skills, and decision making while stressed. The Sawmill FTX is built around a rescue mission scenario. Every activity in the FTX is in support of successful execution of the mission. Tactical shooting competitions mostly don’t have a mission scenario. Tactical shooting competitions add fitness components with the goal of stressing the shooter. The fitness/work component is inherent in the tasks of the Sawmill FTX. You’ll understand when you live with your rucksack for the entire competition. Fieldcraft is an integral part of the Sawmill FTX.  Tactical shooting competitions mostly don’t include fieldcraft at all. Rifle and pistol skills are comprehensively tested in the Sawmill FTX, both in a “range” environment and in an environment that mimics real life as closely as practical. Decision making is a significant requirement in the Sawmill FTX. Practicing decision making while stressed leads to better decisions.  Finally, the Sawmill FTX has both a training division and an OG division. I am not aware of any other competition with both those divisions.

Register for the Sawmill FTX at https://practiscore.com/sawmill-ftx-january-7-2024/register

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Dec
15
12:00 PM12:00

Wreath Laying - CPT Rees - DSC

Laying of wreath at the grave of Captain Richard Morgan Rees, KIA December 15, 1973. CPT Rees was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, posthumously, for his actions on the day of his death as a team leader for the Joint Casualty Resolution Center.

See photos from the Repatriation Ceremony for CPT Rees later that day here.

If you wish to attend, please contact Jari for details and updates.

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May
2
6:00 PM18:00
Partner Event

Green Beret Bourbon Tasting

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Aviator Event Center and Pub will hold a tasting of Horse Soldier Bourbon on Tuesday, May 2.

The tasting - 6 to 8 p.m. – is themed “whiskey and war stories.” It will feature Bob Pennington, an Army veteran and Green Beret who was part of a special operations unit nicknamed the “Horse Soldiers” that went into Afghanistan soon after the terrorism attack that struck on Sept. 11, 2001. Pennington is a principal in the company that produces the Bourbon.

Menu

• Mixed greens with Granny Smith apple, toasted almonds, crispy pork belly, shaved parmesan, crispy Brussels sprouts, apple-cider vinaigrette.

• Braised beef short rib with Peruvian mashers and roasted asparagus.

• Ohio Buckeye cannoli with chocolate drizzle.

Dinner only is $60. Dinner with the Bourbon from Florida-based American Freedom Distillery is $90. Go online to reserve a spot.

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Apr
30
11:00 AM11:00
Partner Event

North Royalton - Viet Nam War Remembrance

North Royalton, Ohio – “The official dates for the Vietnam War are Nov. 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975.” It totaled almost 20 years and was the longest war in the history of the United States.

Every year for the past 34 years, the Vietnam Veterans of America Greater Cleveland Chapter #15, the Vietnam Veterans of America West Shore Chapter # 249, South Vietnam Veterans, and the Vietnamese Community have recognized April 30 TH with a memorial ceremony marking the end of the war and to honor those who didn’t come home.

The names of the 424 veterans from Cuyahoga County who gave their lives in Vietnam will be read and roses will be placed in their memory, including one North Royalton veteran who gave the ultimate sacrifice. To insure no one is forgotten a rose will also be placed at each individual memorial placard to recognize the sacrifice made by all the era veterans who are listed on the Marshall Fredricks memorial fountain located on Mall -A in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

The keynote speaker will be Laddie Hula of North Royalton, Ohio a distinguished Vietnam Veteran who served with the U.S. 1 ST Cavalry Division in Vietnam. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 am on Sunday, April 30 TH at the Memorial Park Lions Pavilion #2 at 14600 State Rd., North Royalton, Ohio. (At the new City Hall Building just south of Route 82.

For more information, please contact:

Laddie Hula, Vietnam Veterans of America, Greater Cleveland Chapter # 15, E-mail: hulaladdie@sbcglobal.net

Sean Ennis, Vietnam Veterans of America Greater Cleveland Chapter # 15, E-mail: sennis@sbcglobal.net

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