Loading...
Home2026-08-31T17:33:14-07:00

SFA Chapter 78 SENTINEL

THE Newsletter of the Quiet Professional

Published monthly—featuring stories of interest to the entire SF community.

Help ACL provide for

Afghan refugee families

Help Affordable Community Living (ACL) by donating goods or with monetary donations as they work to place the families into homes.

The 1208 FOUNDATION

NEEDS YOUR HELP.

Untold stories of MAC-V SOG. Vietnam. The Secret War.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or other major podcast providers. Video episode are available on our YouTube channel SOGCast playlist.

Check out our Instagram feed!

The September 2026 Sentinel is now available! (Link in bio) Our cover story concludes the two-part account of the Chapter 78 Delegation's pilgrimage to Normandy for the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day. In Part 2, the journey continues through the historic battlefields, memorials, and ceremonies that brought the delegation face-to-face with the history of the Normandy invasion and the enduring gratitude of the French people towards those who helped liberate their homeland. Through the photographs of delegation members and the words of one, Aaron Brandenburg, readers can once again experience this memorable journey. This month's issue also includes: • A tribute to Salvador “Sal” Sanders, one of Chapter 78's original members. • Marc Yablonka's look at "AFN—The Voice of Home.” • From the Sentinel archives, Alex Quade's memorable interview with Richard Simonian after he'd received the prestigious St. Philip Neri Award at SFACON 2022—and why he wore the medal all the way home. • And be sure to scroll down to explore the latest additions to our YouTube channel, including Ranger veteran Will Walker's look at how Onebrief is streamlining military planning and former Green Beret Joey Ivanov's presentation on the French Resistance, OSS, and Jedburgh teams whose work helped pave the way for D-Day. The stories of Special Forces are best preserved by those who lived them—and there are still many stories waiting to be told. Whether you have memories of an operational deployment, a unique assignment, a teammate whose contributions deserve recognition, or a piece of Special Forces history that should not be forgotten, we would like to hear from you. We hope you'll enjoy this issue of the Sentinel. If you'd like to contribute a story or have an idea for a future article, please contact our editor, How Miller, at howmiller78@outlook.com, or by using the contact page on our website, specialforces78.com (website link in bio—click on the envelope icon in the upper right corner of the page). De Oppresso Liber, The Sentinel Team @special_forces_association @walkamongheroes @secretagentjackww2 @motodad_443 @afn.radio.television @jeffprusasky #Frenchresistance #ww2 #afn
Veterans can receive free dental care during a Day of Service, which is four days before Veterans Day, Saturday, November 7, 2026. Read the article at https://www.wearethemighty.com/veterans/how-veterans-can-receive-free-dental-care-during-a-day-of-service/ for details on when and how to sign up. Sign up early; availability is first-come, first-served. #vetlife #veterensday
23 August 1968—FOB 4 Chapter member Ham Salley saw the post that we collaborated with our friend @jeffprusasky a few days ago, and the photo of the FOB 4 sign inspired him to send the following message: “When we closed down FOB-3 at Khe Sanh in July 1968, a number of us transitioned to FOB-1 in Phu Bai (John was there but I didn't know him then). I received orders sending me home in August and left a week before the attack. Otherwise I would have been there for the meeting. I was lucky." https://www.specialforces78.com/16-sf-kias-august-23-1968-nva-through-the-wire-fob-4-ccn/ “An article with a list of those killed. I worked with 3 of them at Khe Sanh (FOB 3) before it was shut down: 1/Lt Potter was our S-4 (Supply), MSG Secor was a medic, and SGM Pegram was the FOB-3 SGM. “Potter was a nice young man and our supply officer. He was on a returning C-130 with the payroll for our Bru Montagnard soldiers when it was shot down as it was landing. Everyone got out safely. After the siege was over, he flew to Da Nang and returned with a small convoy of supply vehicles, including a gasoline tanker for our generators.” (Note: 1LT Paul D. Potter was the only officer killed in the attack on FOB 4). Also killed was PFC William Henry Bric III. At the age of 19, Bill Bric was the youngest Green Beret lost that day. His brother Steve Bric is a Gold Star member of SFA Chapter 78. His family still mourns the loss of Bill to this day. The sign has a story, shared by the son of S-2 Paul A. Christensen, found at https://sogsite.com: A young Vietnamese boy dubbed "Spike" lived at the compound—the camp mascot; he dressed in GI uniforms and lived among the men. After the attack, Spike came across this FOB 4 plaque in the rubble. He presented the plaque to Christensen, with sadness in his eyes and shaking his head. The holes in it are from NVA AK-47 or CAR-15, M-16 rounds, as well as bomb fragmentation; burn marks from fires that erupted after the explosions. Christensen wrote "Gilbert Secor," who was killed in the attack, on the back of the plaque. He and Gilbert had spent TDY in 1962-63 together in the early days of Nam. Both medics during that tour, and best of friends.”
Back in May, we put the word out about Matt Dorn's planned USAR and ARNG Special Forces history website. The site is up! It's awesome. The site is up, but websites are never really "finished." Matt is still looking for stories, photographs, and personal accounts from veterans of these units to help bring that history to life. If you have something to share, you can reach him at 24groupsin1959@gmail.com. @special_forces_association #usar #ARNG #usarmyspecialforces #armyvetera
D-Day began long before June 6, 1944. Former Green Beret Joey Ivanov explores the often-overlooked contributions of the French Resistance, OSS, and Jedburgh teams—and how their work helped shape the unconventional warfare heritage of today’s Special Forces. Inspired by a visit to Normandy, Joey also shares the story behind his effort to create a lasting tribute to these resistance fighters and connect today’s soldiers with this shared history. Watch the video and discover the history behind D-Day that began years before the invasion. @normandyinstitute @special_forces_association #dday #history #normandy #WorldWar2 #military #MilitaryHistory #WW2Veterans #WarHeroes #historicalcontent #normandyinstitute #war
What if updating one map instantly updated your slides, sync matrix, and every downstream doc? Ranger vet Will Walker of Onebrief shows how live data is cutting military planning time by 95%—and why the human still calls the shots. Visit our YouTube channel, link in our bio, to view our latest video!@onebrief.app
Loading the next set of instagram posts...
LOAD MORE POSTS

Featured Member:
Ramon Rodriguez

We salute a former Chapter 78 President (2003-2007), Ranger Hall of Fame inductee, one of the most decorated soldiers in the Vietnam War, receiving a total of 17 combat medals and awards, including three Silver Stars and five Purple Hearts, and a nominee for the Medal of Honor. Ramon Rodriguez retired after 23 years of service as a Command Sergeant Major.

Ramon is currently the Chairman of the Board for the American Veterans Assistance Group (AVAG). AVAG is a community of veterans in manufactured housing communities located in Southern California. The purpose of AVAG is to thank and reward our veterans for their service to our country by providing them with a way to connect with one another in a supportive, encouraging living environment and to promote the availability of affordable housing.

Learn more about Ramon Rodriguez. Click here visit his member profile.

Ramon Rodriguez was interviewed by Chapter member How Miller on February 17, 2024.

View on YouTube

© Copyright 2026 | Special Forces Association Chapter 78 | All Rights Reserved

2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION
VALOR LUNCHEON

Sunday, April 19, 2025
11 am – 2 pm
On The Greens Conference Center
Cypress, CA

FEATURING GUEST SPEAKER

U.S. Army LTC (Ret.)
Henry “Dick” Thompson, Ph.D.

Legendary MACV-SOG Veteran, Codename “Dynamite”
Internationally recognized consultant, educator, speaker, and author

Sponsor the Valor Luncheon
Your support makes a difference.

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!!!

2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

Special Forces Association
Valor Luncheon

Sunday, April 27, 2025
On The Greens Conference Center, Cypress, CA
2025 Valor Luncheon attendees listen to Tony Viggiani's inspiring story.

Thank you
to all who attended
SFA Chapter 78’s
2025 Valor Luncheon.

A special thank you
to our sponsors!
Your contributions made
this event possible.
Preisker Ranch
 
HomeXpress Mortgage Corp.
 
In memory of
COL Roger H.C. Donlon, MOH
Friend of SFA Chapter 78
 
American Veterans Assistance Group
 
APEX Service Partners
 
Expert Home Loans
 
Primal Risk
2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

Special Forces Association
Valor Luncheon

Sunday, April 27, 2025
11 am – 2 pm
On The Greens Conference Center
Cypress, CA 90630

Featuring Guest Speaker

Navy Cross Recipient
U.S. Marine Corps CW04
Anthony L. Viggiani

Auctions

“Raise Your Paddles”

for the benefit of
Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy and
the ACL Afghan Community Summer Youth Program
Go to Top